Easter isn’t far away at the Lindt chocolate store at the Noventa di Piave Outlet mall along the A4 autostrada in northeastern Italy. The mall is less than an hour’s drive from Aviano Air Base and not much further for those stationed in Vicenza. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

A lot has changed since the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet opened near the northeastern Italian city of the same name about 15 years ago.

For starters, what the mall formerly known as the Veneto Designer Outlet has shed the name of the region where it’s located.

But more importantly for customers, the number of outlet shops and restaurants has grown substantially. There are now more than 150 stores and a dozen restaurants, nearly a tenfold increase in the number of vendors since the mall’s debut in 2008.

Some things have not changed, though. It might be the place to go if you’re based at Aviano or Vicenza and you’re really into brand names. And boy, does it have them.

Looking for shoes? Shops selling products from Nike, Adidas, Skechers, New Balance and Puma are all within a few feet of one another.

Prada, Versace and Gucci top the list for shoppers looking for Italian fashion and accessories. There’s also a number of brands familiar in North America, such as The North Face, Columbia and Levi’s.

Prices at many places there are discounted about 30% from what the same merchandise fetches at stores elsewhere in Italy.

Although I’m not the target audience for the mall, I enjoy strolling around, window shopping and occasionally entering a store with the possibility of buying something.

There are more than 160 stores and restaurants at the Noventa Di Piave Designer Outlet mall off the A4 autostrada in northeast Italy, which is a day trip for those coming from Aviano Air Base or the U.S. Army base in Vicenza. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

These fountains go dormant for a bit before suddenly springing back to life at the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet mall in northeast Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Hamerica, a restaurant at the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet mall in northeast Italy, serves “Chicago-style” deep-dish pizza and other fare that may or may not make Americans feel at home. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Even if the parking lot looks pretty full, it doesn't mean that the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet mall in northeastern Italy feels crowded. More than 160 stores are spread out enough that a lot of people can be shopping at the same time. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Clothing purchased at the Noventa di Piave Outlet mall in northeastern Italy may fit a little differently after filling up at the Lindt chocolate outlet store. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Those 12 and under can play on the weekends at the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet mall in northeastern Italy, as long as a parent is nearby to watch them. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Besides Americans and Italians living nearby, the outlet mall also appears to be popular with travelers along the A4, the main east-west artery through northern Italy.

It’s always easy to spot cars from Eastern European countries on the highway, and there is no shortage of them in the expansive parking lots at the mall.

The quantity of brand names at the mall, which is operated by the British company McArthur Glen, is unrivaled by either of the two competitors closer to Italy’s border with Slovenia.

The outlet stores here focus heavily on clothes and accessories, but a few shops specialize in kitchen items, outdoor equipment, linen or toys.

There’s also a good assortment of restaurants and stands offering snacks, sandwiches or full-course dinners. Italian food is abundant, naturally, but doesn’t have a monopoly.

Insider tip for shoppers: Stop by guest services, be friendly, and you’ll likely get a stamp for an additional 10% off that’s honored by many stores.

On the QT

Address: Via Marco Polo 1, Noventa di Piave, Italy

Cost: Parking is free in the mall lots; tolls on the A4 are 3 euros each way from Aviano and slightly more from Vicenza.

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Jan. 1, Easter and Dec. 25-26.

Info: Online: mcarthurglen.com/en/outlets/it/designer-outlet-noventa-di-piave