Urban Outfitters' Bizarre Brooklyn Ad

This advertisement for an Urban Outfitters store opening tomorrow among the antique shops and Middle Eastern markets of Atlantic Avenue, in Brooklyn, is rather befuddling.

The mystifying amalgam of images, placed in some sort of elementary collage layout is presumably a representation of the borough. Many of the images look like they were cut out of a TV Guide circa 1984, and others, like the shot of Jay-Z has us wondering about legal repercussions. Or is Jay-Z the new face of Urban Outfitters? By the way, what's Hova looking at? It would make sense to have his gaze fall reverently on Biggie, but it appears he actually has his eye on Lisa Bonet.

The L-train logo is especially perplexing. Sure the L line reaches all the way out to Canarsie, but um... hate to tell you this guys, it doesn't go anywhere near this part of Atlantic Avenue. There is a stop near the Domino Sugar Factory however, which you've got pictured here. But you won't find any Urban Outfitters over there. Not yet anyway. And as reader points out, the cover of the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique album doesn't make sense, since that was shot on Rivington in the Lower East Side - in Manhattan - unless they wanted to draw on No Sleep Till Brooklyn cred.

[Via Sam Horine - thank you]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Celeste Sunderland in News on March 12, 2008 2:26 PM

Comments [rss]

nohateparade

along what spnder said, urban outfitters is a starter kit to living the life of a financially struggling yet open-minded and cultured city dweller. bk industries is the starter kit for whites to not get mocked or mugged because, it makes them look street at first glance until you move closer and see the whole foods reusable shopper and ski jacket. every minnesotan and oklahoman has long graduated from urban outfitters and beacon's closet and has assimilated to the modern day hipster—outwardly radical but actually generic.

does anyone else find this ad a tad racist? where are the italians? the hasidic jews?

rarelement

"...the best in men's clothing. Call Paul's Boutique and ask for Janice and the number is (718) 498-1043. That's Paul's Boutique and they're in Brooklyn."

Tim N.

Cosby house was actually on St Luke's Place in the Village, and in the show it was supposed to be Fort Greene (I think)... Heights not involved.

zmadison

Also, while the ad itself is crap, you've gotta respect including Welcome Back Cotter.

zmadison

Have you ever been to that Macy's?

Everyone refers to it as the Ghetto Macy's.

tmz is evil

"Ghetto Macy's (and I mean that with love)"

You didn't mean it with love. You meant it the way it sounded.

abrooklynlife

And totally already covered the day before here:

http://nycblog.citysearch.com/fashion/2008/03/wheres-brooklyn.html

jibbly

Boo is right. I can't find the article, but I recall reading an article (probably the times) where Hayne basically said he was liberal until he got rich at which point he became a money grubbing republican.

spnder

Thanks for the heads up on Richard Hayne jibbly. Boo.

emilydickinson

Mike Tyson's head from Mike Tyson's Punch Out! Nice. 007 373 5963. That's the code to Mike Tyson in case anyone needs it. Sadly, google was not involved in the obtaining of that code.

jibbly

I surprised noone mentioned UO owner converting to republicanism and contributing a nice chunk of change to philly's ex-senator, Rick Santorum. Yeah he's all into "intelligent design", hating on pro-choice, saying gays are evil, and the usual right-wing vomit.

maevemealone

The Cosby house is in Brooklyn Heights, I believe on Willow somewhere. There are a lot of boutiques and clothing stores on Atlantic. I believe the super annoying Brooklyn Industries store fronts onto Atlantic? I may be wrong on that one. But Atlantic is not some obscure arab shopping district anymore, the boutiques are pretty as well as over priced the restaurants are charming, hip and generally ok, but overall the avenue is fairly gentrified but quiet. Target is just a few more blocks down the road, so I don't think it's too strange for Urban Outfitters to show up. But yeah, this ad totally sucks. Someone hit "send to print" a little prematurely...

Gotham City Insider Wuz Here

Probably some sort of insipid "street team" candidate made that flyer. Let's hope so. I'll give UO the benefit of the doubt even though their clothes are basically "made in China" Old Navy cotton "blends" + $80 for street cred.

Gotham City Insider Wuz Here

Probably some sort of insipid "street team" candidate made that flyer. Let's hope so. I'll give UO the benefit of the doubt even though their clothes are basically "made in China" Old Navy cotton "blends" + $80 for street cred.

Tim N.

No offense, Charm City, but the Pace kids have been out of BH for almost a year now. It's New York Film Academy in there now, which actually makes them more annoying.

As for Urban Outfitters, what's the beef? People in Manhattan have been shopping there since the early 90s, probably longer than that. I don't see the issue.

And kudos for including Jackie Robinson and Norman "THE MAN" Mailer in the flier.

brooklynbee

There is but one clothing store on Atlantic Ave, a major street, to the west of Smith Street I believe. And it's really overpriced and I hardly ever see anyone in there. Not defending UO but I think a moderately priced store geared towards a younger crowd will do well in that location.

veeelchop

ha. dumbo. i get it. real old school brooooookly. not.

urban outfitters. as urban as the suburbs of minnesota.

sakebalboa

brilliant ad, though it would be better if it was xeroxed and scotch taped to some poles.

spnder

"No self-respecting Brooklynite would shop there."

And where am I supposed to shop then? Because unless it's overpriced boutiques, "hipster" stores (Something Else, BK Industries) or Ghetto Macy's (and I mean that with love) I might as well just go into the city. Slim pickings in our neck of the woods. I'm a little old for Urban Outfitter, but I might find some cool hat or something... you never know.