Big expectations for Urban Outfitters

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Urban Outfitters on Granby Street opened its doors Thursday morning with big expectations from city managers.

President and CEO of the Downtown Norfolk City Council Kathy Coleman says she hopes the store will help further develop downtown Norfolk.

"They are very much a sought after commodity almost for cities that are trying as we are to totally reinvent ourselves," Coleman said.

Urban Outfitters District Manager for the Southeast Daniel Sawyer says the project took years to research but the actual construction phase took just six months.

Sawyer says the store hired eight full-time managers, 45 part-time sales associates and 40 temporary sales associates to help with the opening. He says 1,400 people applied for the sales associates positions.

Developer Bobby Wright, who owns the building, says city leaders helped woo Urban Outfitters with tax breaks. A city spokesperson told 10 On Your Side recently no taxpayer dollars were spent for the project.

The three-story store is housed in what used to be the Time Lounge nightclub at 271 Granby St.