Stanley Tanger: businessman and philanthropist

But those factors are just by-products of a successful business enterprise. What set Tanger Factory Outlets apart from everyone else was the culture of philanthropy and community service that Stanley Tanger created and that continues today in his outlet centers. He and his wife Doris had lifelong commitments to the American Cancer Society. In addition to Tanger teams in the Relay for Life, the outlet centers created a number of marketing initiatives that, while perhaps improving traffic to the stores, also generated income for the Cancer Society. The annual PinkStyle Breast Cancer Awareness program alone raised more than $4 million nationwide.

Tanger Factory Stores has also created countless fund-raising opportunities for local schools and school-related non-profit groups. Mark Valentine, general manager, has been active in the Banks and Jackson chambers of commerce, few of whose events take place without a Tanger sponsorship of some kind.

Stanley Tanger will be remembered for his business acumen and the success of his outlet empire. Let him also be remembered for all he put back into the communities where he did business, and may other companies, large and small, follow his example.