Stanley K. Tanger (April 13, 1923 – October 23, 2010[1]) was an American businessman, philanthropist and pioneer of the outlet shopping industry. Tanger founded Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, which began with a single location in Burlington, North Carolina in 1981.[2][3] According to the News & Record, Tanger invented "the very concept of the outlet mall".[1]
Biography
Tanger was the son of Harriette and Moe Tanger from Wallingford, Connecticut. Tanger served as a pilot during World War II.[1] After World War II, Tanger began to run Creighton Shirtmakers, the family business in Reidsville, North Carolina.[1] Under Tanger, Creighton Shirtmakers expanded to five outlet stores.[1] In early 1981, Tanger organized other similar businesses and manufacturer outlets into a small, brand name outlet strip mall in Burlington, North Carolina.[1][2][3]
The company, now known as Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, had since expanded to more than forty-one outlet centers in twenty-five U.S. states and four locations in Canada, as of April 2015.[4] In 1993, Tanger Factory Outlet Centers became the first outlet developer to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.[1][3]
Real Estate by Inc. Magazine named Tanger as "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 1994.[3] In 2006, the Wall Street Journal listed Tanger Outlet Centers as one of the top ten REIT’s.[5]
Tanger remained chairman of Tanger's board of directors until his retirement on August 7, 2009.[6] He resigned as chairman of the board in September 2009,[6] but remained a member of Tanger's board of directors until his death in 2010.[3]
Tanger and his wife, Doris Tanger, a breast cancer survivor,[1] were local, North Carolina philanthropists. Much of Tanger's philanthropy focused on breast cancer awareness, including a $1 million contribution to Moses Cone Health System's Regional Cancer Center in Greensboro.[1] Tanger also funded a variety of beautification projects throughout the city of Greensboro, including the creation and preservation of city parks, including the Bicentennial Gardens.[1]
Tanger died of pneumonia on October 23, 2010, aged 87.[1] He was survived by his wife of sixty-three years as well as his children and grandchildren. Tanger's funeral was held at Temple Emanuel, a Reform Judaism congregation in Greensboro.[1] His son, Steven, was named president and CEO of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers in January 2010.[1][2][6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lehmert, Amanda (October 25, 2010). "Stanley Tanger, outlet industry pioneer, dies". News & Record. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- ^ a b c David Rogers (January 26, 2021). "Tanger: Adapting to changing market conditions — and more". Watauga Democrat. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Outlet developer Stanley Tanger dies". The Business Journal. October 25, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- ^ "Tanger Outlets | Locations".
- ^ Mike Buescher; Mona J. Walsh (October 24, 2010). "TANGER OUTLET CENTERS MOURNS THE PASSING OF THEIR FOUNDER, STANLEY K. TANGER". SEC.gov. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Lavender, Chris (October 25, 2010). "Founder of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers dies". Times-News. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
