Official: Urban Outfitters in North Downtown

Ice Cream · Post by **Ice Cream** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:16 pm

Would I be correct to say that Urban Outfitters doesn't have their own brand of clothing they design and make? They sell items from probably something like a couple dozen different brands . . . are some of those actually owned by Urban Outfitters? And are brands that clearly aren't theirs, such as Adidas or Levi's, making items to be sold exclusively at Urban Outfitters? just curious.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 4:20 pm

This is an attitude I've noticed pretty exclusively in Omaha...complain about not having things, then complain some more when you get things. You can bite that hand that feeds you as much as you want. We get the point, you need something to complain at all hours of the day, otherwise your life is meaningless.

If you're not interested in the store than don't |expletive| read this post. Stop ruining our fun, you a-holes. If you don't understand the appeal, then ignore this thread.

Anyway, I was there last night around 8pm, and it was pretty packed. It was equally as packed as UOs in other stores (I've been to UOs in San Francisco, New York, Minneapolis and Montreal). There was a line for the dressing rooms.

Post by **Admin** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 4:44 pm

Let's all calm down here and get back to the subject of this thread - a wonderful new clothing store in North Downtown - and not about people's fashion preferences.

Tango · Post by **Tango** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:17 pm

Wow, Swift... chill. Not everyone needs to agree that Urban Outfitters is a positive gain for Omaha... certainly don't need to drop an "a-hole" because there are differing opinions. Wouldn't want to disrupt the carefully constructed equilibrium of the forum. Everything is good and we should only talk about the positive aspects of every development. Duly noted.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:21 pm

Tango wrote:Wow, Swift... chill. Not everyone needs to agree that Urban Outfitters is a positive gain for Omaha... certainly don't need to drop an "a-hole" because there are differing opinions. Wouldn't want to disrupt the carefully constructed equilibrium of the forum. Everything is good and we should only talk about the positive aspects of every development. Duly noted.

Get used to that. Also be prepared for the |expletive|-flinging when you don't disagree the same way. It's also not Swift-specific.

-Big E

guy4omaha · Post by **guy4omaha** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:24 am

I drove by UO today at about 4 pm. The first thing I noticed is that the sidewalks were packed and there were about 20, maybe even 30 people, people trying to get in the front doors all at once. Then I noticed that I couldn't see any open parking spaces in the lot behind and to the north of the building. Every parking spot was full on 14th.

There were people on the sidewalk, crossing the street and entering FilmStreams on the corner to the south too! Though not nearly as many. The angled parking on the south side of FilmStreams was all filled up as well.

It was all pretty exciting to see. I definitely think this thing will have staying power. This area is going to absolutely be rocking in five years. And by then I may have even begun to appreciate the Urban Outfitters sign.

And Jeff I know you're not bitter. And I understand your concerns about whether this project as the initial domino can hold up until the rest of the development proceeds far enough along. I just have this gut feeling this thing will succeed. And what the heck, it's fun to make a prediction and eventually see if you were right or wrong.

To the others who sometimes appear to get upset with "additional" viewpoints, we listen to yours quite a bit here on this forum. Sometimes we like to express ours, too! Not too much to ask is it?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:38 am

Thanks for that Guy.

Tango, welcome to the forum. I certainly see where you're coming from in your previous rant. In many ways I agree, in some ways I don't, but that's not for here.

Jeff, my comments about the bitterness were not specific to this thread, but draw on other "back-handed" little remarks you've made in other threads as well. I understand, though. I'm sure when I'm a little older, I'll find it hard not to belittle those who are younger and less wise. And with all due respect, I think you are wrong this time.

I popped over to check out the grand opening today after I got off work around 3:30. The scene was just as Guy described. Packed sidewalks, packed store, and a great bustling, urban scene, which I'm sure is just a taste of things to come.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:22 am

I hope you're right.

xxtyderxx · Post by **xxtyderxx** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:48 am

I wonder why we're still not on their locations list on their website.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:12 pm

Eh, someone send them an email... Nebraska is highlighted on their map... so they must know they're there.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:59 pm

It just annoying because half of the acid -tongues on this thread have never even been to an Urban Outfitters before, much less understand their business model or psychology of their demographic...yet somehow that doesn't stop them from being experts on their imminent demise. :roll:

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:51 pm

I don't think Tango suggested it would fail (that was just MY non-expert concern) ... I think he said you're not a member of the 'creative class' if you shop there... poser.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:24 am

Swift wrote:Also, the creative class doesn't call themselves the creative class. That was a term invented so square, middle-aged, white suburbanites could understand them.

I've concluded that SMAWS - "square, middle-aged, white suburbanites" - is the only derogatory term that is socially acceptable anymore.

And yes... it is ALWAYS derogatory.

-Big E

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:32 am

All I know is I went there this morning around 11 and bought a few things. Liked the clothes and enjoyed the experience. The salespeople said that Saturday was nuts there with a long line to check out all day. Also, 10% of sales for this opening weekend was being donated to the Nebraska Aids Project which should be a pretty good amount.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:59 am

the creative class doesn't call themselves the creative class. That was a term invented so square, middle-aged, white suburbanites could understand them

StreetsofOmaha wrote:the creative class (as Bob so often refers to it)

We've got a 4 bedroom, 3 car garage, 2 story waiting out here with your name on it... BOB.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:09 am

Hey, I was just trying to speak in terms that "you guys" would understand.

And besides, just because Aaron said it doesn't make it true. He isn't the Pope, after all.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:12 am

Stargazer wrote:
the creative class doesn't call themselves the creative class. That was a term invented so square, middle-aged, white suburbanites could understand them

StreetsofOmaha wrote:the creative class (as Bob so often refers to it)
We've got a 4 bedroom, 3 car garage, 2 story waiting out here with your name on it... BOB.

Not in a million years. :P

Bob's right about the name thing. I hate it, and would never actually call myself as such (except when trying to dumb-down my generation so some SMAWS can try to understand).

One of the "traits" of the "creative class" is that we hate labels. In fact, the naming of generations tends to be the province of older generations observing younger generations. There's never a collective meeting where the name is "decided."

ALSO, (despite the fact that I just made about four references to generations) the CREATIVE CLASS is NOT necessarily generational, but simply a segment of the population.

Bob is also right on in saying that Urban Outfitters is like crack to indie-kids and fashionistas, who aren't NECESSARILY "members" of the "creative class."

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:19 am

Also, Jeff-- you do live about a quarter mile from where I used to live (where my parents still live).

jjjjhskr wrote: Also, 10% of sales for this opening weekend was being donated to the Nebraska Aids Project which should be a pretty good amount.

Well that's cool. Then between my girlfriend and I, we donated $8.80 to the NAP. BTW-- never go clothes shopping when slightly intoxicated...if you're like me, you tend to buy things you want but would otherwise realize that you can't afford.

And actually I was tipsy because I had just come from one of my friend's art openings.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:21 am

New store. Downtown. Full of shoppers. Some shop there. Some don't. Some think it will work. Some don't.

Now, ridicule me for constantly pointing out the obvious and move on.

-Big E

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:23 am

What. The store is already open. There's nothing else to talk about. It's not like we're going to talk about this season's latest fashions. DON'T RUIN MY FUN, BIG E!!!!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 4:34 am

I've still got to get down there and check it out. I've checked out the UO catalouge online and some things look nice enough but I'll have to get down there and see it in person to see if I'll buy anything.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:31 am

Now, the only thing that we need to do is send someone over the UO and start a nice conversation with the manager in order to see if he/she knows anything about any new retailers/developments in the area. They should have the most interest in what happens in this area, because as of right now, they are taking the biggest risk. They know just as much as anyone that one more store can lead to another, which can lead to two more, which soon enough adds to a thriving area, and make their risk look like a stroke of genious.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:07 am

My future brother-in-law has a cousin who is a manager there. I'll try to get right on that.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:32 am

Wow! I've read four threads so far and all devolved into a bash-fest and a carnival of negativity. Makes me feel bad I've been too busy at work to log on here much lately.

Anyway, opening weekend at UO was insane. People parked in our gravel lot across the street and walked over. I haven't been in myself, as the target market is about half my age or younger, but then I don't exactly find Dockers attractive for some reason. I also noticed the store window featured CD's and Vinyl by Cursive and The Faint, which I actually like so it can't be all bad. The good thing is that the opening weekend likely raised a good bit of money for NAP, generated sales tax revenues for the city, and got people to come down to North Downtown who may never have been there before. I even noticed a bit of a shift in the age demographic in our sports bar during the day. The proof will be in how business is there four months from now.

Currently there is no discussion, or heresay of any other retail development in the area at the moment. Retail is part of the plans for Newstreet LLCs plans for the former ballpark site, but no word on when they might start development of any part of it.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:49 pm

OmahaChef wrote: Retail is part of the plans for Newstreet LLCs plans for the former ballpark site, but no word on when they might start development of any part of it.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Have you mentioned this before? If so I must have missed it. Can you elaborate a little on what you know about this? It sounds great.

Anyway, as many of you may have guessed, fall is the perfect and preferred time for retailers to open new stores. It's the start of a LONG shopping season starting with people shopping for themselves in early fall (you know, new sweaters, jackets, that kind of thing) and going through the huge holiday shopping season. Obviously, traffic will die off a little in the latter half of the winter and into spring, but that is retail.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:41 pm

I see that there hasn't been much in the way of posting here, so i thought i'd ask if anyone had any updates or knew how the shopping traffic and sales were down there. I looked on the website and they still haven't said that omaha is one of their locations, though NE is labeled.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:39 am

I went in there for the first time last week. It was a pretty nice store. I'd have to add anorexia to my bulimia to ever be able to fit into anything from there but they did have some nice bags. I think I was the only person I saw leave the store without buying something.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:28 pm

My girlfriend and I went to the store again last night around 7. It was about "medium crowded". We had to wait in line about 10 minutes to check out which is annoying at most places, but not at UO because they have such cool and interesting books for sale near the check out counter (I was looking through one that was a collection of pictures from a photographer who documented the Seattle music scene circa 1988-1994). We only spent $25, but the people in front of us were all buying like $200 worth of stuff.

I was standing outside of the store before we left, and a movie had just gotten out of Film Streams and at least 10 or 15 people walked right over to UO and started shopping.

Omababe · Post by **Omababe** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:21 am

I had a few minutes to kill last night and got the bug to take some night shots, and walked by that. This was maybe 8:30pm or so, there were people wandering in and out. Not crowded, but definitely drawing some interest.