Once a year Vera Bradley takes over the Fort Wayne Coliseum to host their annual Vera Bradley outlet sale. For 5 days shoppers from around the globe will walk past rows and rows of merchandise piled high and and deeply discounted. It is an event that Vera Bradley enthusiasts wait for each year, and you can quickly see why.

The event draws women together for family reunions, girls weekends, and day trips. The energy in the Coliseum is invigorating and inviting, and you can tell that everyone has a great time. Once you attend this event, you may be hooked for life and start planning your visit for next year.

The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale is a ticked event for the first 3 days. Guests can choose which time they would like to attend they have 3 sessions each day for a 3 hour shopping time. The last 2 days require No Tickets, but some of the hottest items may have sold out by then.

I went to the sale on the first day and here is some info to help you shop with ease!

Parking

Finding parking is easy just follow the designated signs before you enter the parking lot there is an $8 fee for cars. There is plenty of parking but if someone in your group has challenges walking, it would be best to drop them off at the front of the building, because there may be a bit of walking involved.

Waiting To Get Inside

The line to get inside might look intimidating but it goes quickly. When I got to the line it was wrapped around the corner of the building and to get into the room with all the items took about 15 minutes.

Inside

Once you are in the main set of doors you’ll find a table with a map of the floor and what they will have. The map will also have a guide for the discounted prices. Before the next set of doors you go through there will be people scanning your tickets.

Once they are scanned you’ll walk in to this big waiting room. Today, we fortunately didn’t have to wait in any lines there and just walked right into the Sale in the next room! Before you start shopping there is a spot to grab bags to put your items in that you want to purchase as well as more maps if you missed them.

Shopping

Lets begin with don’t feel overwhelmed or stressed!! I was a little worried because I am not a fan of big crowds and I did not want to feel stressed out while shopping. It looks crazy in there but I had no issues looking at all the tables. I also felt that they have enough inventory of everything! So you wont have to rush to find that one item, there’s a good chance it wont sell out right away.

There is a customer service area in the middle of the shopping floor. Also at some of the ends of the rows there are price checks for the items you’re not sure about.

Checking Out

Once again, you start zig and zaging to check out but the people working the registers were working so fast so the line moved quickly! A fun tip: Teachers, Healthcare, First Responders, and Military get an extra 10% off their purchase.

TIPS FOR ATTENDING THE VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE

1. Wear comfortable shoes!

There will be a fair amount of standing and walking around. Comfy shoes are a must.

2. Have a plan or Don’t!

Make a list of what you want to buy, because the size of the event, it could become overwhelming to some. Or do like me and have no plan or expectations and ended up buying a dog bed and a Star Wars Cooler!

3. Grab a Sales Floor Map.

While waiting in line to enter the sale look over the sales floor map (handed out at event) to get an idea of where everything is located.

4. Drinks & Snacks

Inside they have a couple vending machines for drinks as well as a mini convent store that you can purchase drinks (even beer, and hard seltzers), and snacks they had a variety of chips,fruit cups, yogurt parfaits and more. They also had a roasted nuts booth and a cookie booth.

5. Have fun!!

This is an event to be enjoyed and have fun at. There is table after table of Vera Bradley products waiting to go home with you.

THINGS TO DO IN GRABILL, INDIANA

H. Souder & Son’s General Store

Located in the heart of downtown Grabill, H. Souder & Son’s General Store is like stepping into a bygone era. Stocked with old-fashioned sodas, barrel candy, and nostalgic items, it’s a place that invites repeated visits. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, the charm of this store never fades.

Country Shoppes of Grabill Antique Mall & Year Round Flea Market

With over 150 vendors across two floors, the Country Shoppes of Grabill offer a diverse shopping experience. From antiques to local handcrafted candles, you could easily spend hours exploring. Located on Main Street, it’s a mandatory stop for those who love to shop and discover unique finds.

Grabill Hardware

Directly across from Souder & Sons, Grabill Hardware offers a glimpse into Amish life with its range of products used by the local community. The Dutch Auction table adds an element of surprise to every visit, making it a popular spot not just for men, but for anyone interested in unique finds.

Catalpa Tree Grabill

A block south of the Country Shoppes, Catalpa Tree is a sanctuary for those seeking metaphysical books, unique gifts, and tranquil music. This store provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling antique mall and invites visitors to explore a different side of Grabill.

Katies’ Kountry Korner

On the corner of Schwartz & Witmer Roads, Katie’s Kountry Korner showcases beautiful Amish-made furniture, quilts, and canned goods. It’s a testament to the craftsmanship and tradition of the Amish community.

Grabill Country Sales

Enjoy the authentic taste of Amish country at Grabill Country Sales. This bulk food store offers a delightful deli, homemade baked goods, and a buffet. It’s an essential stop for anyone looking to sample or take home genuine Amish flavors.

Olde Church Shoppes

A short drive from Grabill, on the banks of the St. Joseph River in Leo, the Olde Church Shoppes offers a fun shopping experience. The scenic location adds to the charm of browsing through the various unique stores.

Common Grounds Coffee Shop

Situated on Main Street, Common Grounds is the perfect spot to recharge with a coffee and light fare. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a great place to relax and plan the next step of your Grabill adventure.

Schmucker’s Amish Farm Market

Located on Doty Road, Schmucker’s offers an array of fresh produce, Amish-made cheeses and butters, and other bulk foods. The market is ideal for those looking to experience the fresh, wholesome goodness of Amish farming.

Grabill Country Fair

An annual highlight, the Grabill Country Fair offers amazing food, music, and fun activities. It’s a chance to experience the genuine country fair atmosphere, rich with tradition and community spirit.

NEARBY AND WORTH THE DRIVE

Spencerville Covered Bridge

6 miles from Grabill, this is one of the region’s oldest, built in 1873, and most treasured covered bridges.

Olde Church Shoppes

Just a short drive from Grabill the Church shops are located on the St. Joseph river in Leo.

Leo Café 

Grab a drink and a bite to eat before heading home.

What Else Is There To Do Near Grabill, Indiana? It’s a short drive to Fort Wayne with lots to do!

It’s a short 30 minute drive from downtown Fort Wayne to the heart of  amish country.

Use Fort Wayne as a weekend destination with a visit to the quaint town of Grabill as a day trip. Fort Wayne offers a number of hotels with indoor pool and/or outdoor pool, making it a perfect place for families to stay. There are also luxury hotels if you want to indulge.

Enjoy an entire weekend of family fun! 

Get your culture and art fix

Visit the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

Discover Fort Wayne’s Foodie Side (there are so many great places to eat!)

Visit the tropical gardens and botanical gardens

Finish your visit with a trip to DeBrand chocolate for some taste testing.

Attend the Annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale

There are more tips for attending the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale here

Read What You Need To Know About Attending The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale

The event draws women together for family reunions, girls weekends, and day trips. They camp out, wait in long lines, and shop til they drop. The energy in the Coliseum is invigorating and everyone has a great time. Attend this well-organized event once and you may be hooked for life.

(c)VeraBradley

The first Vera Bradley outlet sale was held outdoors in a small party tent.

Fast forward 30+ years and the Vera Bradley outlet sale takes over 10s of 1,000s of square feet.

Attend the event during a ticketed day and you’ll pick a ticketed time to attend the sale.

During the ticketed times shoppers are greeted with cheers, whistles and clapping from the workers which add to the excitement in the air.

Read About The Vera Bradley Spring Collection

A pink bag is given to you when you enter the sale.  You can fill as many pink bags as you like, but there is a $3500 per person limit. At checkout, all the merchandise is moved to a white bag.

During the sale, if you have any questions or need assistance just look for an employee wearing a Vera Bradley apron. They are more than happy to assist you during the event.

Prices are marked down for the event, but at times they go even lower so watch for special sales and pricing during your visit.

5 TIPS FOR ATTENDING THE
VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE

1. Wear comfortable shoes!

There will be a fair amount of standing in line and walking around. Comfy shoes are a must.

2. Have a plan.

Make a list of what you want to buy. Otherwise, due to the size of the event, it can be very overwhelming.

3. Grab a Sales Floor Map.

While waiting in line to enter the sale look over the sales floor map (handed out at event) to get an idea of where everything is located.

4. Register for Free.

Print off registration prior to arriving. Registration is required to make a purchase.

5. Have fun!!

There is an experience to be enjoyed. There is table after table of Vera Bradley products waiting to go home with you.

See my other Vera Bradley outlet sale story here.

What Else Is There To Do In Fort Wayne After The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale?

Besides the sale, there is a lot more to see and do in the area. Here are a few things that are worth checking out while you are in the area.

Find Your Roots at the Genealogy Center

Enjoy an entire weekend of family fun! 

Get your culture and art fix

Visit the Children’s Zoo

Discover Fort Wayne’s Foodie Side (there are so many great places to eat!)

Swing over to Grabill, an Amish community (A stop at the Grabill Store is a must)

Finish your visit with a trip to DeBrand chocolate for some taste testing.

***PIN VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE TO PINTEREST***

A few years ago I attended the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale as part of a press trip. I was familiar with Vera Bradley products, but a Vera Bradley bag was never one of my “must have” items. My, oh my, how things can change. Vera Bradley welcomed us to the show with the cutest gift (see above) and I was immediately won over. I love this bag. The colors, the size, everything about it is just cute, cute, cute.

HOW BIG IS THE VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE?

Since I had never been to the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale before I was wondering just how large the event would be. Um, it is big! Rows and rows of tables are set up in the Coliseum (Fort Wayne’s expo & event center) and are stacked high with products. It’s every Vera Bradley lovers dream come true.

After seeing how big the event area was I knew there was no way I would see everything. Luckily, when you attend the show you are provided with a map to easily find your favorite items. The map also includes a price list. That was my next question. How low do the prices really go? I mean, is it worth a trip to the sale? Will you really save THAT much money? Well, the prices are really fabulous and get marked down even more during the sale and the trip is completely worth it.

WHAT ARE THE PRICES LIKE AT THE VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE?

Here’s a few more sample of the prices from the sheet you receive when you arrive. Many of these prices go even lower during the sale. My sister bought me a travel wallet for $10!

No worries about checking out either. There were 60 checkout lanes this year. The line may be long, but it moves quickly and there are TV screens strategically placed that offer interesting tidbits that entertain you while you wait.

How The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale Works

Check this page when the sale gets closer and register online. Print off a copy of your registration to take with you. This will save you time at the show. The show is broken down into two parts. There are the ticketed days and the public days. Ticketed days were Tuesday-Thursday and tickets were $5 each for a set time frame. Public days were Friday-Sunday. The advantage of the ticketed days is a much smaller crowd and an energetic staff that cheers you as you enter the showroom floor. (That was actually a lot of fun to see) However, if you can’t make it during the week, no worries, my sister & Em went on Friday and they walked right in with no wait. There is enough room and plenty of product for everyone.

Here’s a super quick video of shoppers being greeted at the Vera Bradley Outlet sale:

There are more tips for attending the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale here.

How Do I Possibly Decide What To Buy?

When you enter the sale you are given a pink bag to place your items in. If you change your mind about an item just toss it in one of the many gray bins around the sale area and a staff person will return it to the right location. Ready to check out? Follow the signs to the checkout area and have your registration paper handy. When you check out your items are placed in a white bag. There is a spending limit of $3500 per person. If you think you’ll want to spend more be sure to bring a friend or two and a really big van.

WHERE TO SHOP IF YOU MISS THE VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE

No worries. there is a Vera Bradley store nearby at Jefferson Pointe (4120 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804). They carry a great selection and have sale prices worth checking out.

What Else Is There To Do In Fort Wayne?

Besides the sale, there is a lot more to see and do in the area. Here are a few things that are worth checking out while you are in the area.

Find Your Roots at the Genealogy Center

Enjoy an entire weekend of family fun! 

Get your culture and art fix

Visit the Children’s Zoo

Discover Fort Wayne’s Foodie Side (there are so many great places to eat!)

Swing over to Grabill, an Amish community (A stop at the Grabill Store is a must)

Finish your visit with a trip to DeBrand chocolate for some taste testing.