Urban Outfitters settles in

KATIE ALDRICH/YH Urban Outfitters will likely draw wealthy shoppers from nearby suburbs.

Now there's finally a place on Broadway where you can get some Diesel jeans and an army-print tote-bag to go along with your Nutella and banana whimsel from Whimsels and your Fiji water from Gourmet Heaven. With its grand opening two weeks ago, Urban Outfitters, the upscale clothing and houseware chain with 44 stores scattered across the United States, is definitely "adding some spice to New Haven," according to Nicky, an Urban Outfitters salesperson.

"We're trying to cater not only to Yale students, but to local New Havenites and kids from the suburbs," Cheryl, the store's manager, said. "I'm from New Haven myself, and I think that Urban Outfitters is definitely going to help the community."

Nicky, who is also a New Haven resident, said, "Every other city has an Urban Outfitters—why shouldn't we?"

"I don't think it's great, but I think it's useful," Jackie Kestler, ES '04, said. "If you need fun clothing for a party or a nice top, you can probably find something there."

Jamila Thomas, MC '04, isn't sure if Urban Outfitters is what New Haven needs. "While I understand that revamping New Haven is an important issue," she said, "I'm not convinced that Urban Outfitters is going to add much to the community. This is a store for Yale students who can, and will, pay for overpriced merchandise."

Cheryl stressed that Urban Outfitters is attracting shoppers from all over Connecticut. "We've had people come in from Hartford, New London, Bethany, Westville, Hamden, and Amity—people who don't want to have to drag themselves all the way to New York or Boston to go to Urban Outfitters," she said. "And after coming to the store, they might stay awhile in New Haven. They might decide to shop at other nearby stores and eat at local restaurants. While they're here they'll be pouring more money into the city's economy."

Thomas disagrees. "Having the store here is a way of reaching out to Yale, not the greater New Haven community—and that's fine. I just think that the people who brought the store here shouldn't try to claim that it's going to benefit anyone. I don't think so many people are going to come from miles around just to shop here." John Maturo, director of University Properties, declined to comment.

Cheryl said, "There were students protesting our arrival, claiming that we were an evil corporation. But to me, that just seemed ironic—Yale is the epitome of a big corporation." She added, "Urban Outfitters spends a lot of time researching the locations of their stores—we should be honored that they chose New Haven."

Back to News...