Something that can work in OKC as well..From today's Omaha World-Herald:

'Urban Outfitters will open a store this fall in the Saddle Creek Records complex at 14th and Cuming Streets, marking the first time in two decades that a major national clothing retailer will operate in Omaha's downtown area.

The Philadelphia-based company - known for selling hip clothes, shoes, accessories, gifts and home décor in college towns and major cities - will occupy an 8,500-square-foot, two-story space between the locally owned Blue Line Coffee and an unleased restaurant space in the independent record label's north building.

Landing an established national retailer in the developing area is a major coup for both Saddle Creek Records and the city, label executives and the mayor's office said.

"As we redevelop north downtown, we're hoping for a lot of mixed-use projects that will include retail, office and living spaces," said Paul Landow, chief of staff to Mayor Mike Fahey, who was traveling Thursday and unavailable for comment. "That's what makes the Urban Outfitters' move so important - they're a major national retailer who will serve as an anchor for future development."

Two national retail analysts say the decision by a company with a successful track record shows that Urban Outfitters sees promise in the developing urban area.

"I'm sure they're going to Omaha planning on being wildly successful," said Doug Fleener, president of the Lexington, Mass.,-based Dynamic Experiences Group, a retail consulting firm. "It sounds to me like they could revitalize that area."

Urban Outfitters, which signed a lease in January, will open its Omaha store sometime this fall, said Saddle Creek Records President Robb Nansel and label manager Jason Kulbel.

An Urban Outfitters spokeswoman confirmed that the store will be in the Saddle Creek complex but was unable Thursday to provide further details.

Kulbel and Nansel said Urban Outfitters gives the complex a national presence and a stamp of approval for people like west Omaha parents who might have worried about dropping off their kids in a part of town with unfamiliar businesses.

"They could've gone elsewhere, to Village Pointe," Nansel said. "But they came to this area."

Urban Outfitters operates 106 Urban Outfitters stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, according to the company's Web site. It also has 93 Anthropologie stores. Free People, its wholesale segment, sells to about 1,500 specialty and department stores and eight Free People stores. Each brand also sells its products through a catalog and Web site.'..

Omaha's budding North Downtown entertainment district:

'What's happening on 14th Street
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Plans are shaping up for the Saddle Creek Records complex south of 14th and Cuming Streets. Here's a rundown:

South building, 14th and Webster Streets

• Saddle Creek Records offices and warehouse: opening late May. The independent record label's headquarters will have enough room for its eight employees and future expansion.

• Slowdown: opening late May. The music venue will feature concerts accommodating several hundred people.

• Ruth Sokolof Theater at Film Streams: opening late July. The nonprofit group Film Streams will operate two screens - one showing first-run independent, foreign and art-house films, the second showing retrospectives of older and classic films.

• Live-work spaces: unleased, available starting in late May. Two two-story bays offer flexible uses for potential tenants such as an artist operating a studio or gallery downstairs while living upstairs.

North building (14th Street, south of Cuming)

• Blue Line Coffee: opening late July or early August. The Dundee coffee shop's second location will serve coffee, cafe fare and alcohol, and plans to be open after-hours.

• Urban Outfitters: opening fall 2007. The Philadelphia-based company will sell clothes, shoes, accessories, gifts and home décor in a two-story space.

• Restaurant: unleased, opening late summer or fall. A 3,700-square-foot space will house a restaurant.

• Apartments: unleased, available in September. Of the seven apartments, five are one-story apartments above Urban Outfitters, and two are two-story apartments above the restaurant.'..

The complete World-Herald story link:

Omaha.com Lifestyles Section

I thought some of you would be interested in what's happening in your neighbor to the north.. ..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace