Nob Hill is the mecca of locally owned and operated shopping in Albuquerque.
Home to chic, urban shops that sell everything from antiques to modern furniture and hot-off-the-runway fashions, Nob Hill's homegrown reputation may come under attack this November when Urban Outfitters joins the neighborhood.
The national chain, which is sister to newly opened Anthropologie in Albuquerque's Uptown, will occupy 9,400 square feet next to Objects of Desire on the corner of Central Avenue and Wellesley Drive in the heart of Nob Hill.
The store targets college students, as it offers champagne-taste items on a beer budget with a hip selection of men's and women's clothing, shoes, accessories and home furnishings.
The company's trendy, urban style will have no problem blending into Nob Hill, said Peacecraft owner Jim Neustel.
"Of all the national chains that could have made their way into Nob Hill, this is one of the ones that will be easiest to integrate into the culture," he said. "They tend to go to urban areas and fit with the vibe that many of our shops have."
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However, some store owners won't be bringing any house-warming gifts to the Urban Outfitters grand opening.
"We cannot prevent them from moving in," said Earth Treasures owner Thomas Huber, citing parking and rising rent rates as his main concerns. "All we can do is provide an excellent service, show our customers the service and satisfaction that corporations cannot."
Some store owners, like Old World Imports owner Duane Bargar, do not want to see the local-businesses mentality die from the area.
"I'm concerned that if one building owner decides to allow a corporation, all of them will," he said. "It will give them the OK to start charging mall rent rates, which would effectively eliminate local businesses."
However, Bargar recognizes the traffic the new store may bring to the area.
"If it can bring in people from the Westside or Rio Rancho that may have never been to Nob Hill, then expansion can be a good thing," he said. "We'll have to see if it can attract more student traffic from UNM, too."
Stone Mountain Bead Gallery owner Robert Steinberg said he is not worried about competition from Urban Outfitters.
"A lot of companies have their own niche," he said. "Each and every store caters to a different need, and I don't see Urban Outfitters stepping on anyone's toes."
Buffalo Exchange manager Tess Coats said she is excited about the Urban Outfitters grand opening.
"For us, I don't feel that Urban Outfitters will be competition as much as it will greatly help us. We'll be able to see more labels and a wider variety of clothes come through our store," she said. "The city is getting bigger and growing every day. It is time for Nob Hill to catch up."
