Section A·Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, August 22,1997
New nationwide clothing store draws customers,critics
Lower prices,familiar brand brings new look to downtown shopping
By Rachelle Detweiler
Kansan staff writer
When Abercrombie and Fitch Company opened on Aug. 5, the business provided a new, squeaky-clean face to the old building at 645 Massachusetts St.
What remains to be seen is the effect of a nationally-owned store on Lawrence's downtown economy.
University students are what attracted the store, said Charlie Armstrong, Lawrence store manager. Because the business was expanding and had 140 stores nationwide, Armstrong said that he was not worried about attracting customers.
"There are more college students than activists." Armstrong said. "I've heard they want to keep corporations out of downtown. Downtown does have a small-town feel, but in the late '90s and with the millennium coming, that won't happen."
When Lenexa, Overland Park and Kansas City students move to Lawrence, they are already familiar with the brand, he said. For these students, the downtown location offers a convenient location to snatch up the store's clothing.
Gary Toebben, president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, said an advantage of larger stores was that they drew shoppers from outside areas. Visitors will travel to the well-known store, but also shop at other locally-owned
locations.
Any business that strengthens retail downtown Lawrence is an asset, said David Longhurst, president of Downtown Lawrence.
One thriving local retailer is Waxman Candles. Lori Hosking, show room manager of the shop at 609 Massachusetts St., said that Abercrombie had made good use of the facility and that the new store took advantage of Waxman's long Lawrence history and large customer base when considering a location.
"It won't detract business," Hosking said. "I do know we'll see their bags at Christmas time and they'll see ours." Longhurst also said that if a store came into town, it must respect the mix by taking advantage of the character of stores around it.
Only national retailers have formula stores for the building's exterior. Such stores look identical from town to town.
Often the architecture does not compliment the surrounding stores. Though Abercrombie, a formula store, does not have a style like neighboring buildings, its facade is an improvement over previous occupant Lawrence National Bank, Longhurst said.
Bryan Duncan, Lawrence resident, agreed that Abercrombie improved downtown's appearance.
He said that the store complimented the architecture and that only an outlying mall would injure the economy.
The lack of such a mall makes Lawrence unique for cities of its size, Toebben said.
"A suburban shopping center would pull retail dollars from downtown and leave a hole in the community," he said.
"I've heard they want to keep corporations out of downtown.Downtown does have a small town feel, but in the late '90s and with the millennium coming, that won't happen.
Charlie Armstrong Abercrombie and Fitch manager
Even though Abercrombie is an established name brand and attracts outside consumers downtown, some Lawrence residents are upset about the store's construction.
Amelia Murtagh, Lawrence freshman, said she saw many downtown developments while growing up in Lawrence. Although Murtagh is not too distraught about the commercialization of downtown, she expresses her opinion against nationally-owned stores by purchasing products from locally owned stores.
"If I had a direct say, I'd say no to larger stores," Murtagh said. "It's just a trend. A corporate yuppie trend."
She said that the nationally-owned stores tend to have higher prices and less variation in styles than a locally owned store. Shopping at a store like Arizona Trading Company makes more sense to her because of the lower prices and product originality.
from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the chancellor's house. Students who want to attend should R.S.V.P. to Carole Smith at 843-5008 or Coleen Ryan at 841-6040. The scholarships awarded by the club range from $100 to $1000 and are funded by the club's dues and fund drives. Incoming freshmen and KU students are eligible to receive the awards and may apply through the KU Endowment Association or directly to the club. Photo by Geoff Krieger/Kansas
The University Women's Club awarded scholarships to five women yesterday in the Maltloot Room in the Kansas Union. The winners of scholarships are from bottom left: Alicia Bortol, Lawrence graduate student, Pamela Xamerius, Chicago doctoral student, and Vessel Ginthechea, Bulgaria sophomore. Michelle Muller and Christine Watson also won scholarshipships, but are not pictured. Also in the picture are club members Kay Henry, Betsy Beisecker, Nancy Yecher, Rira Spreadl and Carol Smith. The club is sponsoring an ice cream social that will be held Aug. 26
Watkins has sports drinks -- from Coke
928 Mass. Downtown
Award winning women
Watkins had been discussing the possibility of stocking different brands of sports drinks before the University of Kansas and Coca-Cola reached their $21 million agreement, Thrasher said. After
attention," Thrasher said. "Students come in with the flu or just get dehydrated for one reason or another, so we'll have the drinks on hand for rapid replenishment."
the agreement, Coke was it.
The drinks will rehydrate people after extreme exercise or when they feel sick and dehydrated.
By Sarah Chadwick Kansan staff writer
REVO Sunglasses
The Etc. Shop
A cooler stocked full of Coca-Cola sports drinks will soon be in the pharmacy at Watkins Memorial Health Center. These drinks may include Powerade and Minute Maid juices, said Cathy Thrasher, chief pharmacist.
"Dr. Rock brought the idea to my
"The appropriate use of those are for athletes engaged in an athletic endeavor that lasts 60 to 90 minutes or more," Ann Chapman, Watkins dietitian, said. "Most of us are recreational athletes, and for us, water is still the best choice."
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