Brooklyn Life

Urban Outfitters Shutters Last Brooklyn Store

After 17 years, Urban Outfitters has vacated its Cobble Hill store in a landmarked commercial building on Atlantic Avenue.

urban outfitters- empty storefront on atlantic avenue

The Atlantic Avenue store last week. Photo by Susan De Vries

by Cate Corcoran

07/02/2024 2

After closing its Williamsburg outpost in April, Urban Outfitters shut its last remaining Brooklyn store last month. The closure came with little fanfare, and the location is still listed on the retailer’s website.

A sign in the window at 166 Atlantic Avenue in Cobble Hill last week said the store’s last day would be Sunday, June 23. The space does not appear to be on the market.

Urban Outfitters Inc. in May announced record first-quarter earnings, although revenues at the brand were down slightly. Online sales are strong, while brick and mortar sales are down, said Women’s Wear Daily.

The store opened in 2007, 17 years ago, after a revamp by Two Trees Management, which manages the rental apartments above.

The landmarked brick and metal building at 164 to 168 Atlantic Avenue was built as a commercial building around 1856, according to the LPC. An historic sign painted over the brick reads “John Curtin Inc. Sail Makers and Canvas Goods.”

view of the red brick building on atlantic avenue

Further down the block, Barnes and Noble in 2023 moved into the large store vacated by Barneys New York.

At one time Atlantic Avenue was the place for Brooklyn brownstoners to outfit their homes with antiques and salvage and find skilled artisans for repairs. It has long been home to many Middle Eastern shops and eateries.

Fashion boutiques began to replace the antique stores in the early 2000s, followed by upscale bars and eateries. In June, U.K. fashion chain Toast — not unlike Urban Outfitters’ sister brand Anthropologie — debuted at 367 Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill. Now Atlantic Avenue is once again home to a good number of independent boutiques, including many homewares stores carrying a mix of antiques and new items.