Plans are in the works to lure more high-end retailers into the new Empire Outlets, set to open next year. As NY1's Thabie Sibanda explains, the developers have added a new celebrity ambassador and marketing consultant to make that happen.

Things are really starting to take shape along the waterfront in St. George.

There is now only a year left before the Empire Outlets are scheduled to open and many are wondering what stores will be moving in.

One shopper listed Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Lord and Taylor and Zara as some of the stores she would like to see brought to Staten Island.

70 percent of the space at the outlets has already been leased, but the developers still haven't revealed who the retailers are.

Representative for the outlets say they have hired luxury retail consultant Faith Hope Consolo of Douglas Elliman Realty in the hopes she can help bring in more high end retailers. 

"We're bringing a cross reference of Madison, 5th Avenue, Soho to Staten Island but at a very affordable price," explained Consolo.

The goal will be to attract as many tourists to the borough as possible.

However, meeting the needs of locals will also be a priority. 

"I understand exactly what they're looking for. Not only in fashion, in food, in accessories, table top, that if they don't have to cross the bridge, get on a bus go across the river, they will shop this," said Consolo.

The developers behind Empire Outlets have also hired actor and producer Theo Rossi, a native Staten Islander, as a brand ambassador.

"He's a big advocate for changing the perception of what Staten Island is known for right? We're a very special island. And he's going to promote it and basically tell all of us fan base," said Joseph Ferrara, principal at BFC Partners, the developer of Empire Outlets.

The outlets were originally scheduled to open this "Black Friday" but the developers recently pushed that date back.

The opening will now coincide with the much anticipated opening of the New York Wheel, in spring of 2018, which is being built next door.