When the wraps come off, the retailer is expected to occupy all the street-level space formerly divided among four businesses.
After months of speculation, it’s official: Urban Outfitters is coming to Red Bank, delivering what retailers hope will be a caffeine jolt of foot traffic to an increasingly lethargic downtown scene.
Keith Alliotts, owner of 2-10 Broad Street, confirmed today that the youth-market clothing and apartment-goods retailer has signed a multiyear lease on 10,000 square feet of street-level retail.
He told redbankgreen that Urban would be taking possession of the space in the late summer or early fall, and “they’ll probably have a few months” worth of customizing to do before opening for business.
The deal, which had been said to be pending for months, has been widely viewed as a potential game-changer for the business district, which has seen as many as 40 storefronts vacant in recent months.
Business owners regard Urban as a powerful magnet able to draw not only large crowds of young, credit-card wielding shoppers and their parents into town, but household starters on a budget. They’re drawn by the store’s offerings of bedding, tableware and other items.
“Wow, that’s wonderful news,” said Margaret Mass, director of the Red Bank Visitors Center. “It couldn’t come at a better time. We’ll be expecting lots of new visitors.”
A recent sneak peek inside the building, which is undergoing major renovations.
Urban Outfitters officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Alliotts’ building, at the corner of West Front Street, is one of the oldest and most prominent commercial locations in Red Bank, dating back to the middle of the 19th century. Recent renovation work revealed an old wagon wheel hidden in the rafters, we’re told.
But the largest of the storefronts, on the corner, has been plagued by tenant turnover. It was most recently occupied by the bizarrely named Studio Bling, which sold household lighting fixtures and lamps.
Urban would take over that space as well as storefronts now occupied by A.H. Fisher Diamonds, which is moving to the corner of Broad and White Street, and Fashion Nails, which is also relocating elsewhere on Broad. A fourth storefront has been vacant since the departure last year of the short-lived Cold Stone Creamery ice cream store.
I wonder what this will mean for Funk & Standard, which has a very similar inventory to Urban Outfitters.
Didn't the owner of Funk & Standard work at Urban Outfitters before opening her store? That would explain the similarity.
let the bitching begin…
Allow LordJohnWarfen to be the first to welcome Urban Outfitters to our humble burb.
LordJohnWarfen does wonder why such a successful national retailer would even consider our town without a parking garage.
We attracted a national retailer in the worst retail climate in 50 years without parking, interesting.
The real story here is the combining of four store fronts. Unfortunaetly, many adjacent store fronts that could profitably be combined have separate owners who refuse to cooperate. More ridiculous are the store fronts with common owners but different renters who refuse to cooperate on such simple things as exterior painting and the placement of satellite dishes. Ridiculous greed.
Maybe they can bring mcdonalds back next. I liked the carousel that they had in there.
This is exactly the kind of store that Red Bank needs. Not a gigantic chain, yet someone that will be able to afford the rent for years to come. Hopefully it will bring some new stores with it.
…yes! peddle more made in china sweatshop clothing to cover our outrageously large American backsides !!
Actually the apparel industry is probably the most ethical in regards to manufacturing standards. So many large retailers and brands won't ever deal with sweatshops. The electronics industry is not as regulated or scrutinized however so it is likely that your cell phone/television/microwave is a product of a sweatshop.
Capt. Nemo,
I wish you would peddle your fat ass into oncoming traffic..you giant tool.
Booooooooo….
When do you think they will build the roof over the Broad Street Mall?
And this new store will mean how much revenue to RB? I think I missed that in the story. The tenant doesn't own the building so RB gets an additon of zilch ( except for parking fines ).
Eveyone should be pleased with Urban Oufitters coming to RB.This could be the downtown anchor that Tiffany and Garmoney can never be.
Dear Engraver,
The town of Red Bank gets a portion of the sales tax collected on goods sold at stores in its town.
you people are incrediable! Dont like what the town is turning into vote or move out. This town is changing and needs too. Do us all a favor and vote to bulldoze the downtown and turn it inot a park Im sure you'll all be happy then.
Just because you wont take the steps to make your dreams and goals come true stop bitching at other who try to better themselves and the town.
This is a situation where people should get behind the new business coming to town, that is taking a chance on this town during current unfavorable conditions. Urban Outfitters is in a position to survive the current economic downturn but more importantly, they are essentially saying that they believe that Red Bank is in a position to weather the storm, too. By opening a store here, they seem to have more faith in the future of this town than some posters around these parts.
All businesses at that end of town have to be happy about this deal - the increased foot traffic will be very beneficial to places like Jack's, Zebu, the Downtown, and even new barbershop. I'd even guess that Marc Echo's store wouldn't have closed so quickly if there was an anchor brand like Urban Outfitters down there.
"nothing new here" — Right on.
Urban Outfitters is a "Northern Anchor" for Broad Street, as Garmany serves the "Southern Anchor".
Red Bank is a strange place: Most everyone loves the cultural benefits of the town, coupled with the eclectic atmosphere. Yet, there's a contingent that seems to detest any sign of progress.
Absent the "creative destruction" and renewal, you have a stale, non-destination.
Look at the place: In the worst recession in decades, but there's investment proposed for the riverfront, at the Galleria, on Monmouth Street. Upscale retailers are holding-fast and/or moving into vacated retail pads.
The city council is trying to keep an eye on expenses. Further, they appear to be pro-development and pro-business, tempered with vigilance against over-development.
This is a healthy city, Folks.
Though, some folks are not too hip on healthy cities, I guess.
I don't think Red Bank gets any portion of sales tax directed to its coffers. However, what it does get is less bad news (less blight),which is considered very good news in this economy.
….only for oncoming Mercedes…
sounds like Hung needs a little nap!
sounds like captain nemo needs a smack
Captain nimrod,
You are a pathetic, and lonley jerk.
Please move to a different place.
You have bad karma, and you are bummin us out.
Welcome Urban Outfitters !!!!!
Thanks for taking the chance…..
So it is OK to fleece the teenie bopper crowd when it comes to town spending daddy's money on bad clothing, but not OK to support that same crowd when trouble breaks out outside Chubbies as a result of that same crowd? I do hope you’ll spare me the hypocritical rant with which you must now engage. I am all for landlord’s picking up some new (and fat) tenants, but I am not up for the teenage nuisance which comes along with urban outfitters – and when it comes, please remember and speak kindly of Nemo.
Hey Nemo,
Thank goodness you did not breed…..
I read that Urban Outfitters was one of the only clothing stores to report an increase in sales last year, which is why they are willing to risk red bank and why I am psyched they are in RB. Plus RB is mobbed with teeny boppers and they need to go SOMEWHERE, I would rather they flock to urban outfitters to buy hip clothes than stand 25 people deep in front of 7-11, which I guess they'll probably still do, oh well.