Pictured from left: Jessica Hencier; José Huizar, Los Angeles city councilmember representing District 14, Bridget Mitchell, UO’s district merchandiser; and Angie Biggs, UO’s district manager.
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Urban Outfitters Debuts
A highly anticipated Urban Outfitters opened at 810 S. Broadway Dec. 19, and some executives for the hipster emporium dropped by the new shop at a debut party on Dec. 18.
John Hauser, UO’s chief officer of brand experience, said that downtown Los Angeles is still a diamond in the rough. “We’re pioneers,” he said of the neighborhood. “But in five years, it will be another story.”
Urban Outfitters renovated the Rialto Theater, which had been vacant since the 1990s, Hauser said. The massive renovation project included filling up the venue’s former stadium seating floor plan with a flat concrete floor for retail. The great majority of what is available at the new UO are the retailer’s favorite brands, such as Levi’s, Obey and Dr. Martens. Hauser said the shop will make room for Los Angeles style by offering vintage clothes and some emerging brands.
