The very first time I visited the annual Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I was giddy. I know there are a LOT of things to do in Fort Wayne, but the Vera Bradley Sale is top of the list.
Maybe you’ve heard all of the stories of (mostly) women taking over the city by the minivan full, booking a weekend in the hotels, creating special “team” or group shirts for the occasion, spending entire paychecks, and having a really good time. It’s all true. Attendees have such a great time that they’ve hijacked the Vegas motto and changed it to, “What happens at the Vera Bradley Sale, stays at the Vera Bradley Sale.”
When is the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale?
Mark your calendar, the annual Outlet Sale is June 14 – 18, 2023. It takes place at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne at 4000 Parnell Ave, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale
Every year, Indiana-grown purse company, Vera Bradley compiles all of their extra inventory and specialty items and sets them out on rows and rows of tables at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne (think HUGE convention center) and opens the doors to the public for scheduled shopping times.
At the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale, these items are priced to sell at 40-70% off retail!
7 Things You’ll Love About the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale?
If you’ve ever been inside a Vera Bradley retail location, you’ve seen the colorful, fun prints, the understated microfiber quilted bags, the floral umbrellas, and gorgeous beach towels. However, until you’ve been to the annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale, you haven’t seen it all. Here’s why you’ll love the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale.
1. Amazing Discounts on Vera Bradley Products
The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale offers huge discounts on a wide range of Vera Bradley products. You’ll love the deep discounts on everything from your favorite bags, luggage, accessories, and home goods.
You’ll find your favorite Vera Bradley prints and styles. At the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale, you’ll save up to 70% off retail prices, making it a great opportunity to stock up on all of the things you love!
2. Exclusive Access to Special Products
In addition to finding your favorite Vera Bradley products and prints, the outlet sale will open up a whole new world of Vera Bradley. The sale often features exclusive products that are not available anywhere else. These include limited-edition prints, products that are being discontinued, or specialty items that have a limited run or serve as promotional items.
3. Friends and New Friends
So many people attend the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale and they bring along their best girlfriend, their mom, their daughter, whoever. Other people (like me) attend alone and make friends while shopping. For many people, the sale is a fun and social experience.
While you’re waiting in line to get in or to check out, you’ll have time to chat and connect with other Vera Bradley fans, make new friends, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. It really does feel like a party when you arrive. There’s a welcome group, there are mega-fans and groups who really get into the spirit and there’s dance music.
4. Sneak Peek New Vera Bradley Products
The Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale is a great chance to get a look at upcoming releases. There’s typically a showcase of what’s coming soon and new product lines. You won’t be able to purchase them at the Vera Bradley warehouse sale, but you can be in the know before all of your other friends.
5. Shop for a Cause
The Vera Bradley Company has always been a charitable organization, supporting many causes, especially breast cancer research. Typically there is some sort of connection between the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. By attending the sale, shoppers can feel good knowing that they are supporting a good cause.
6. Book a Vera Bradley Hotel Room
The Bradley in Fort Wayne is a boutique hotel that was developed in part by Vera Bradley’s co-founder, Barbara Baekgaard. The decor is modern and full of beautiful design elements and gorgeous wallpapers and fabric patterns, of course! The Bradley Hotel is about a 10-minute drive from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, where the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale takes place. {BOOK IT}
7. Enjoy All of the Things to do In Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is a fantastic destination to visit. There are wonderful restaurants, beautiful attractions, and fun activities. I recommend the DeBrand Chocolate Tour, a Tin Caps baseball game, a Canal Riverboat tour, the Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens & Conservatory, or a visit to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.
Unique Gift Items at the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale
If you’ve ever been inside a Vera Bradley retail location, you’ve seen the colorful, fun prints, the understated microfiber quilted bags, the floral umbrellas, and gorgeous beach towels. However, until you’ve been to the annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale, you haven’t seen it all.
In the past, I’ve seen Vera Bradley surfboards, Vera Bradley flip flops and gardening gloves, an extensive selection of Vera Bradley sunglasses and jewelry, and of course, the luxurious leather line.
Vera Bradley Discount Prices
It’s been said that you can find similar pricing or even beat the outlet sale pricing online during Vera Bradley sales and Vera Bradley clearances, but you just can’t beat the spirit and the camaraderie and the passion you’ll see and experience at the outlet sale.
Is the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale worth it? My opinion is yes. If you love the brand, you love the products and you want to purchase them at a great price all at once, yes. If you have a best friend/mother/daughter/sister who is up for an adventure and wants to have a good time, yes. Picture 100,000 square feet of color and beauty.
I’ve found prices for small items to be as low as 25 cents sometimes! That’s how I ended up with 30 metal tins of delicious Vera Bradley breath mints. My friends are always looking for the best deal on a Vera Bradley backpack or Vera Bradley crossbody, so I’m on the hunt, text messaging photos back and forth between groups of friends, grabbing their requests all along the way.
Vera Bradley Outlet Sale Tickets
Do you need a ticket for the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale? There are really two ways to shop. You can visit during a paid ticketed session during the week or all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Wednesday through Friday, shopping sessions begin at 7:30 a.m. and go as late as 8:30 p.m. These are the dates that you’ll see a lot of the die-hard fans. General admission tickets for the sale are $6 each (plus a lot of online ticketing fees — buy in person if you can) and anyone aged 14 and up needs their own tickets.
While you won’t see a lot of children at the sale, there are some. I don’t recommend bringing your young children, the lines to check out can be overwhelming for kiddos.
Saturday and Sunday shoppers do not need a ticket for the outlet sale. Saturday shopping hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vera Bradley Outlet Sale VIP Experience
VIP tickets are $50 per person and the proceeds benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, which I wrote about a few years ago.
The Vera Bradley VIP tickets let you enter the sale through a VIP entrance so you’re one of the first people to shop. You’ll get to check out in the VIP area AND have VIP parking lot access. VIPs also get a $25 off coupon for their $100 purchase, a reusable mesh shopping bag, and a Vera Bradley lanyard.
Shopping Tips for the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale
- Plan ahead: The sale is typically held in April for five days, however in 2023, it will be held June 14 – 18, so make sure to mark your calendar and book your hotel ahead of time if you’ll be staying overnight.
- Buy a ticket: If you’ll be visiting the sale and you’d like to schedule your visit, purchase a weekday timed entry ticket ahead of time. There are a limited number of shopper spots available during each shopping time, so reserve your spot now. If you’re attending on the weekend, you don’t need a ticket.
- Plan your transportation: You will pay for parking if you park at the Coliseum. Consider a rideshare service.
- Arrive early: If you’re attending a non-ticketed date, the sale opens early in the morning, and lines can get long quickly. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and get first dibs on the best deals. If you have a timed ticket, you’ll likely see a very long line when you arrive for your timed shopping slot. Do not be late. You’ll have two and a half hours to shop. I know that sounds like a lot of time, but it goes so quickly!
- Dress comfortably: You’ll be on your feet for hours, walking on a hard concrete floor, and standing waiting in lines. Wear comfortable shoes and dress lightly, it gets pretty warm in the sale. Try not to bring anything with you that you don’t need. You’ll be provided with a shopping bag to use while shopping. Make sure your hands are free so you can carry everything you want.
- Make a List: There are so many things on the tables at the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale. Make a list of what you’re looking for before you arrive, know the names of the prints your friends and family love, and get ready to look for these things. The sale is very organized but new items are being added throughout the sale, so you never know what might pop up while you’re there.
- Children and Partners Should Stay Home: If you can avoid it, don’t bring your children. Just trust me. And don’t bring your partner 🙂 Or just do me a favor and don’t tell my husband what my shopping total is. Just tell him how much money I saved!
I hope to see you at the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale this summer in Fort Wayne!
2 thoughts on “7 Reasons to Attend the HUGE Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale”
I was blessed by a daughter who can read me like a book and loved vb. I had knee replacement just before the sale like the Tuesday before. She came home with perfect items 3 different days.plus her dad encouraged her shopping of course after 44 years he knows how much it means. The best thing for me was a messenger bag that fits in a vinyl coated backpack plus the cosmetic case which made a great ice pack. We live 3 blocks from the sale location. Next year my sister and her husband will be camping at the adjoining campground and attending the sale with us. The campground has water and electric laundromat, full bathroom facilities. You don’t need to pay for parking at the sale but the campground is a short walk. Tons of restaurants nearby plus coliseum concerts or hockey in the evening.
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