There is an Urban Outfitter’s opening downtown in a week or so. And yeah, I discussed it with Rachel, my friend who lives in the land of Philadelphia where UO was born. When I lived in Philly I rarely shopped there unless it was an impulse buy when I was feeling listless or mildly sad. It was either that or eat a chocolate cupcake or something equally bad for me.
me: There’s a urban outfitters opening up here downtown, the first like “big name” store in downtown
me: Asheville’s v indie when it comes to small biz ownership and I was thinking about some of my favorite clothing stores, like boutique places and wondering what they think about it.
me: i think its a big topic because Asheville is getting bigger and bigger and people are either very for it or against it
Rachel: yeah everything is v local there, a big name store coming in seems really out of place
me: yeah and it’s right smack downtown in the middle
Rachel: and it seems like people have a bit more action to their words, so I could see them banning it, etc
me: I’m really curious actually because I like these small, specialty shops but sometimes I just need a shirt so I’m sort of torn over it.
Rachel: yeah, and just like, it’s a breakdown, too, because if that comes in and succeeds, what next? they’ll keep coming
me: I think most people who aren’t biz owners are for it and the rest who are of the biz owners seem to be warily optimistic for an uptick in actual retail activity…seems like a wait-and-see thing, to see the effects more longterm
Rachel: certainly a draw, my guess/worry would be that it would have a chain effect though
me: I think if I shopped there, I’d want to hide my bag in shame
Rachel: like, you opened pandora’s box
me: I think about Seattle actually. They had all these small shops and a huge honking UO right there in the middle and where do you think I bought shoes from? for 19 dollars.
UO. So it’s good for a consumer because their shit is cheap, but it gives nothing back to the community which in turn degrades the quality of living, if I lived there actually…
I think if I did live there, I probably wouldn’t have shopped there.
Rachel: Yeah that’s one thing I was thinking – downtown is really expensive to buy, I cant imagine people shopping regularly
me: The town’s whole argument is about having tourists shopping here. Well isn’t tourism supposed to inflate your local economy? That argument misses its mark if everyone gets diverted to UO’s gravitation force.
me: I mean, I shop downtown, I don’t buy much, but I will get shirts, sweaters, shoes, I’ve bought jeans there and anything else I need I order online or go to Goodwill or whathaveyou
Rachel: if they want to settle in nicely, they’d be wise to make it as ‘local’ as possible, like with their suggestions to sell artwork or host music shows but I’ve never heard of that in one of them before, so I wonder how realistic it is, if they’d even do that
me: maybe at first, their grand opening has some bands playing supposedly
me: I bet AA will be next
Rachel:: AA?
me: american apparel
It’s weird though, sometimes I miss those conveniences and most other times, I really welcome the lack of it
Rachel: i never shop at urban or aa
me: yeah I don’t really either, it’s like a Mcdonald’s sign when you’re really hungry
Rachel: yeah
me: I wouldn’t eat there unless I was on the road and desperate and everything I’ve ever bought at UO looks like shit after a few washes
and AA, I only have two shirts of theirs and they are all band shirts so I didn’t get them there anyways
Rachel: I just got way too overexcited by pulling out 3 quarters from my purse, then realizing they’re in ADDITION to the 3 in my pocket
i have the expectations of a hobo
me: Who are we kidding? We can’t afford to shop anywhere.
A conclusion:
Honestly, I’d rather have an H&M and as far as UO goes, I’d feel guilty for shopping there but not as bad as I would feel once it fell apart after a rinse cycle which is bound to happen with their wares. Good thing I have no money to buy anything anywhere.
The end.