Discount Department Store Opens at Watchung Square Mall

A new shopping and saving option came to the Watchung Square Mall with Thursday's grand opening of discount department store Stein Mart.

Designer fashions, lingerie, accessories, jewelry, shoes and home decor are what's available at the 264 stores in 29 states that are part of the Jacksonville, Fla.-based chain founded in 1908. Stein Mart's stores are primarily in southeastern states and Texas, but it is stretching outward: The new Watchung branch is its fourth in the Garden State and the first in northern New Jersey.

Watchung Square's store hopes to find local success through offering deep discounts—25 to 60 percent off department store prices—on current fashions by hot designers. The selling floor is expansive, clean and elegantly appointed in Christmas red and green. In a direct appeal to early holiday shoppers, a host of $10 gifts are on sale.

Stein Mart is filled with merchandise, racks and racks of work attire, holiday dresses, trendy jackets and more from designer labels including V Cristina, Michael Kors, Laundry and Rachel Roy. For the home, there are towels, bedding and a host of adornments.

Thursday's grand opening will feature representatives of major fashion labels.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Earl Jean, Peck & Peck, Nine West, Vintage American Jean
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Chenault, Ellen Tracy
12-2 p.m.:  Allan Flusser
1-4 p.m.:  Isaac Mizrahi, Leslie Stewart, Sunny Leigh

Stein Mart at 1511 Route 22 West in Watchung Square Mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.