Coming soon to Ann Arbor: Anthropologie and The North Face
Anthropologie plans to open its first store in Ann Arbor this year in the Arbor Hills shopping center.
Photo Courtesy Of: Abby Flittner / Josh Gilmore - nashvilleguru.com
- Coming to AnnArbor.com on Sunday: What does the Arbor Hills development mean for Ann Arbor's retail landscape?
Two national retail brands are making their Ann Arbor debut this year.
Women’s fashion retailer Anthropologie and outdoor retailer The North Face plan to open stores in the Arbor Hills shopping center on Washtenaw Avenue, the project developers confirmed. The center's grand opening is scheduled for Aug. 22.
The exterior of an Anthropologie store in Tennessee.
Photo Courtesy Of: Abby Flittner / Josh Gilmore - nashvilleguru.com
Owned by Urban Outfitters Inc., Anthropologie sells women’s apparel, accessories, home furnishings and gift items. The stores are artsy with an earthy vibe and usually feature hardwood floors and wood furnishings to display its inventory.
The first Anthropologie store opened in Pennsylvania in 1992 and there are now 175 stores in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, the company’s website says. Anthropologie’s only other Michigan stores are in downtown Birmingham and at the Somerset Collection in Troy. Urban Outfitters operates a store in downtown Ann Arbor.
“Anthropologie remains a destination for women wanting a curated mix of clothing, accessories, gifts and home decor that reflects their personal style and fuels their lives' passions, from fashion to art to entertaining,” the website says.
The exterior of a A North Face location that opened in Raleigh, NC earlier this year.
Founded in 1968 in California, The North Face is an outdoor products company that specializes in outerwear and equipment.
The brand is sold at department stores and various outdoor retailers, including Ann Arbor’s Moosejaw, Bivouac, Running Fit and Sun & Snow Sport. The company also operates 40 retail stores in the U.S., including locations in Grand Rapids and at the Somerset Collection.
The additions of Anthropologie and The North Face to Arbor Hills come after multiple national, regional and local tenants confirmed plans to open in the center. Other tenants include: lululemon athletica, Hot Mama boutique, Sur La Table, Pizzeria Biga, Running Fit, Arhaus Furniture, a restaurant by the Cafe Zola owners and Brooks Brothers’ Flatiron Shop.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Sara
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 10:43 p.m.
I'm happy about these two additions. While Anthropologie clothing isn't my style, I do like some of their home items. I am also excited about North Face, and not for the typical backpacks and fleece jackets. North Face does carry other quality outdoor gear such as boots and workout apparel that isn't solely for the sorority crowd...
JBK
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 12:56 a.m.
Spoken like a true GDI. :) lol
TheDiagSquirrel
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:34 p.m.
The Ann Arbor market for North Face jackets and backpacks is an untapped goldmine...wait...
GoNavy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
While I applaud both stores decisions to open locations in Ann Arbor, I question whether or not The North Face store will be able to compete with Bivouac (not vice versa). Though Bivouac doesn't carry every North Face item, it does carry a wide variety of other items. Such choice is highly valued by consumers seeking out the best items for a given need.
say it plain
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 5:43 p.m.
Sure, but for kids who just need to get the third color of the jacket that's been their 'uniform' for the last 5 years it'll be easier to just pop into the North Face store. It might challenge Bivouac just enough to make it harder for them to make rent, which is just another annoying fact about the retail and traffic and general blahnesss of a world where consumption looks as it does these days. Some of us will still patronize Bivouac for the choice and the local/personal aspects, but the challenges to such outlets increase all the time.
An Arborigine
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
I hope this oh so trendy new strip mall provides adequate parking, unlike their neighbor across the street. But maybe that was planned to comply with AA's tradition of being "pedestrian-friendly"
MyCommentNow
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.
What ever happened to the notion of urban planning in southeast Ann Arbor? Total gridlock, and so unpretty.
say it plain
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:01 p.m.
Hooray, Ann Arbor is getting the "upscale" shopping that UM's out-of-state students deserve and expect...it should help sell the "cool college town" brand for the U even better if students don't have to wait until trips home for stocking up on $100 yoga pants and Brooks Brothers button-downs!
chipper
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.
Anthropologie also has a store in Grand Rapids that opened in 2011. It's my favorite store and I will be delighted to be able to stop ordering by mail. After reading that they'd only be opening nine stores in the U.S. and Canada this year, I didn't have high hopes that Ann Arbor would be among them. They do carry some items made in the U.S.
brian
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.
I've heard from a couple different people (one who works at one of their other locations) that The Paper Source was coming to town as well. Wonder if this is where they will end up?
Dan Freidus
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
Yes, Washtenaw can have a lot of traffic but the complainers here remind me of Yogi Berra explaining why he avoided a certain restaurant: "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
Ryan J. Stanton
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.
I know at least a few people who make special trips out of town to shop at Anthropologie, so I'm sure it will be nice for them to be able to shop in town.
David Paris
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 7:11 p.m.
But Ryan, sometimes people like to get out of town just for the drive, or to experience something new. Remember Henrietta Fahrenheit? I didn't think so. H.R. was a womens clothier in Ypsilanti and the owner cleverly noticed that most of her clients were from Ann Arbor. She closed up shop on Michigan Ave and moved into Nikels Arcade... for a short time, before going out of business. What I'm saying is- your friends will still go on shopping trips out of town, they'll just find a different destination than Anthro.
tcormie
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.
Absolutely, good for the city and good for the area.
Brad
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:16 p.m.
Now I won't have to look outside of town to gear up for my next summit attempt at Mount Brighton.
roadsidedinerlover
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:13 p.m.
Wow, high end clothes made in China...just what we need...:(
GoNavy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:29 p.m.
Justcurious - I'm curious. Your comments seem to indicate that you consider yourself to be better than the rest of us. Care to elaborate?
justcurious
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:26 p.m.
Correction...what "some" think they need. Actually many in this area.
JustMyTwoCents
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
I am soooo glad I do not live near this soon to open mall. With all these "destination businesses" that are planning to locate there, the traffic situation on Washtenaw is going to be beyond horrible...each and every day. I pity those that must travel this route.
Jojo B
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:40 p.m.
Agreed. So many "destinations" and such horrible driving and parking in that area. I don't go to the Whole Foods or Barnes and Noble there because it's such a nightmare. They probably should build a multi-level parking structure and a pedestrian bridge there. Nah, developers don't do stuff like that. Gridlock surface lot is the way to go!
beardown
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:05 p.m.
When I moved here a decade ago, Ann Arbor always preached small local businesses, small chain restaurants, etc. Not "destination businesses." And Washtenaw, which is already a mess, is going to be gridlock all day.
interested
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:44 p.m.
So exciting - I love that I won't ever have to leave Ann Arbor for shopping ever again!
Hugh Giariola
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:31 a.m.
Nice, two more brands that will bring good destination business to Ann Arbor. Good luck!