A confetti-filled moment marked the official opening of The Mall at University Town Center, the only newly built enclosed regional shopping center to open in the United States this year.

Before scissors sliced through fuchsia ribbon Thursday morning, a palpable energy filled the air with crowds eagerly awaiting the lively events to follow. Luminous morning sunlight filtered though the 1,100-foot long vaulted skylight, shining on hundreds of eager shoppers. Starbucks lines snaked in front of the stage as shoppers pounded shots of espresso before snapping pictures of the spotlighted stage.

“After all those years and all those endless hours of planning, I can’t believe the mall is finally opening,” said Randy Benderson, president of Benderson Development.

“This mall is an example of the evolution our county is going through,” noted Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines. A resounding “wow” reverberated throughout the 880,000-square-foot facility as he encouraged the crowd to test its acoustics.

The aroma of fresh baked cookies wafted from Kate Spade as shoppers perused past polka dots and pops of vibrant color. Shoppers at Saks Fifth Avenue were greeted by stilted models before encountering the sounds of a giant harp played by highly acclaimed ensemble String Theory. Macy’s offered a chance for morning beautification along with other refreshments and prizes with its “wake up and make up” tent.

American fashion designer Nicole Miller eloquently articulated the message of art and fashion, hosting Dillard’s afternoon runway show. Cashmere ponchos, silk feather tail tops and ombre feather skirts paraded down the catwalk, giving onlookers a taste of what’s to come on the fashion front in Sarasota.

“Sarasota is on its way to becoming more of a fashion destination,” said Stephanie Wilcox, store manager at Calypso St. Barth. “When you bring in big names like we now have at University Town Center, things change.”

Shoppers can look forward to a variety of additional fashion retailers to open in the coming months including Anthropolgie, H&M and Free People, among others.

The Mall at University Town Center