The most important opening … since Anthro

Sometimes, something happens in local retail that is so big, so obvious, so overwhelmingly amazing, that the local retail/style media kinda misses the boat on actually reporting on it. This recently, shamefully, happened with we, Philadelphia magazine, and them, Terrain at Styer’s.

Terrain, Urban Outfitters’ brand-new concept, a garden lifestyle center that should arguably have previewed weeks ago, is now in full operational mode. All 11 acres of it. Gardeners — you know who you are — probably know the location, which, until last year, went by J. Franklin Styer Nurseries, a century-plus old spot that was once housed one of the country’s first mushroom farms.

Anyways. Now, thanks to no small amount of Urban magic — which included a Best in Show award at this year’s flower show — the place is something else, something else indeed. It’s hard to describe, but I think utopia kinda fits the bill. Apparently, the concept is geared toward the post-Anthro (read: 40-plus) set, but I can’t imagine anyone not absolutely falling in love with the barns o’ plants and antique tools and crazy-chic patio furniture and silver plant spritzers, and even elegant rolls of twine, not to mention the botanical skin care and sculptural fountains and full-fledged café (with living wall of thyme varieties and — get this — a toast bar).

I suggest going, just to wander. Maybe taking Mom for a treat this weekend. Or, pitching a tent and moving in.

Photo by Jeff Fusco

This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Good Life Daily. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted by Lauren McCutcheon on 5/9/08 in Good Life Daily