As customers walk into downtown Westport’s new Urban Outfitters location, they are greeted by trendy styles, artsy décor, and catchy tunes pumping through the stereo.
The popular retail store opened in Westport on March 8, and in the past month, the store has maintained a steady flow of traffic, as well as positive feedback from customers.
“Things have been going great since the opening, even better than we expected, actually,” said Women’s Accessory Store Manager Ayanna Belton. “We’re really happy to be here, and excited to have a new store location.”
Before Urban opened in Westport, the closest store locations were in Greenwich and New Haven. Staples students are thankful to have the popular store now close at hand.
“It’s one of my favorite stores, so I’m glad that it’s much more convenient to go to now,” Maddie Melnick ’12 said. “But because it’s so convenient now, a lot of people end up with the same clothes.”
Belton said that while the Westport location is catering to a variety of ages, the younger age set is more popular in Westport than in the Greenwich store location, where she previously worked.
The store also has less expensive price points than other Westport stores, creating an additional pull for Westport teens.
“Urban is definitely more accessible than stores like LF, because it’s so much less expensive. If there isn’t a sale at LF, then I’d much rather go to Urban Outfitters,” Melnick said.
The store’s décor has also created buzz among customers. Walls across the store have an unfinished touch, with exposed brick and cement showing to create an industrial loft look.
“I like how they did repairs, but didn’t choose standard painted walls,” Eliza Duvall ’12 said. “Having the brick show through gives it a unique look that makes it more fun to shop in.”
Urban Outfitters also provides Staples students, who are at least 18 years of age, with an opportunity for employment. For example, Augie Gradoux-Matt ’12 was inspired to apply for a job at Urban Outfitters after her friend Perrin Judd ’12 submitted an application.
“I am obsessed with all the clothes there,” Gradoux-Matt said.
The one downside to working at the store, according to Gradoux-Matt, is that she has had to learn to improve her self-control in order to avoid over-purchasing, despite her employee discount.
Belton said that the student employees have had a positive impact on the store.
“They are all doing great, and learning quickly,” she said. “I think it is better to have people who live around here work here, because it provides an all around better working experience.”
For students who are interested, the store is now accepting applications for summer.
