Letter writer: Set a better example, Urban Outfitters

I am writing to express my dismay when I drive or walk by the Urban Outfitters store in downtown Asheville and see their large double doors propped wide open, no matter what the weather.

In the summer, you are blasted with cold air from their AC on the sidewalk. In the winter, the heat must be pouring out. This is a terrible waste of our resources and sends the wrong message to the young people who shop there. For me, it is a turnoff and makes me want to boycott them. I can’t imagine what their heating/cooling bills must be like.

But mainly it shows a total disregard to our environmental issues and all the damage that comes with using energy, let alone wasting it it such huge quantities. It makes me wonder if all their stores do this?

Shame on them! This should stop immediately! Set a better example, Urban Outfitters!

— Troy Amastar
Alexander

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

7 thoughts on “Letter writer: Set a better example, Urban Outfitters

  1. jason

    Yes,
    It’s more about all of the CHAINS that are infecting downtown. STAPLES, URBAN OUTFITTER, JIMMY JOHNS…ETC ETC! Isn’t there a city ordinance that restricts them? Did they buy our elected officials (thru campaign financing) like every other HUGE CORP does?

    • weavervilleman

      Staples is not in downtown. They are adjacent to downtown, but they are in the North AVL side of Asheville.

  2. Dionysis

    The letter-writer raises valid points, but unfortunately, Urban Outfitters is unlikely to be moved. A brief review of some of their ‘greatest hits’ in recent years include: a blood-stained Kent State tee shirt, pro-booze shirts for pre-adolescents, whiskey shot glasses shaped like pill bottles, a ‘Jewish star tee shirt, fake Navajo indian goods, stealing another’s jewelry design, selling a tee shirt in (as they called it) ‘Obama black’ (but it also came in white/charcoal), a shirt with a “salacious” picture of an upskirt shot of a 15-year old girl and a Monopoly-type game they called ‘Ghettopoly’, to name some.

    Not that it matters when the almighty dollar is at stake, but UO is probably the least desireable chain business to have in Asheville. Their corporate culture seems to be based upon outrage, insults and consistenly bad taste. At a premium price, of course.

    • Just a Reader

      I don’t think removal is the solution here – just close the doors.

      And I’m also confused as to why a Jewish star on a t-shirt is offensive? I completely understand and agree with your other examples.

  3. BFonville

    This is a common practice of big brand stores in NYC. Walk down Broadway through SoHo and all the Urban Outfitters, H&Ms, Uniqlos, etc will have their doors wide open and the A/C on full blast inviting shoppers in to beat the heat

  4. Dionysis

    Regarding the Jewish star and the criticism, here is the essence of it copied from ‘This Week’ magazine:

    “The Holocaust-evoking “Jewish Star” shirt”

    Urban Outfitters put itself in the bad graces of Jewish groups in April 2012, after selling a T-shirt with a six-pointed star badge that, to some eyes, looks eerily like the Star of David patch Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany, leading up to and during the Holocaust. The $100 yellow T-shirt, from Danish designer Wood Wood, “represents a new low” for Urban Outfitters, said the Anti-Defamation League’s Philadelphia director, Barry Morrison. The symbolism is “extremely distasteful and offensive,” and the group is “outraged that your company would make this product available to your customers.”

    And just a few days ago, a similar criticism has arisen:

    “the Anti-Defamation League assailed Urban Outfitters for selling a gray and white striped tapestry emblazoned with pink triangles. The design, the ADL claimed, was ‘eerily reminiscent’ of the clothing Nazis forced gay prisoners to wear in concentration camps. ”

    http://theweek.com/articles/480961/13-urban-outfitters-controversies

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.