Williamsburg hipsters may be able to buy their skinny jeans while they chug on a PBR because a new Urban Outfitters store set to open in the heart of the super-trendy neighborhood wants to serve beer.
The national chain that runs the shop, wants to open an outlet on N. Sixth Street between Berry Street and Whythe Avenue, is applying for a liquor license, and it is taking its request to Community Board 1 tonight.
Most Urban Outfitter stores focus mainly on the fashion sense of their clientele, but the company does feature home and garden centers called Terrain at stores in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania and Westport, Connecticut where food and drink are served.
Representatives at the chain’s corporate office, who have stayed super closed-lipped about their Williamsburg stores, did not return calls for comment.
But local media, which heard about the plan thanks to a post on New York Magazine’s website on Friday, where quick to make fun it. The website Brokelyn.com, for instance, wrote a tongue-in-cheek story about what the menu at the new fashion den and restaurant might be that featured hit-and-miss humor.
If the liquor license is approved, it won’t be the first time that fashion and booze have mixed on Bedford Avenue.
Geoff Weber, owner of the 4th Down Sports bar and the Gibson, used to co-own a bar-boutique combination that failed within seven months, he says, because shoppers couldn’t put two and two together.
“People were like ‘What are you?,” he said.
Weber added that he doubted Williamsburgers would choose a chain bar over local joints.
“The might get some bar business from outside the neighborhood, but that’s it,” he said.
Still, others said they would certainly stop by, if only for the fashion, claiming a bar surrounding by fabric might not be the coolest place to hang out.
“I like their clothes sometimes,” said Sarah Fredette, who lives on Devoe Street. “But I don’t think a bar in clothing store will have a very chill vibe.”
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.
