URBN is a portfolio of global consumer brands comprised of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, Terrain and the Vetri Family. We create unique retail experiences with an eye toward creativity and a singular focus on pleasing our customer. We're a passionate, creative, entrepreneurial bunch who think outside the box and are all about providing a unique shopping experience that's inspirational. THE FIRST STORE & MISSION The year was 1970. Dick Hayne was just 23 years old when he and college roommate Scott Belair came up with the idea to open a retail store. Belair was in search of a topic for an entrepreneurial class he was taking at the time. The first store, originally called Free People, was located in a small space across the street from the University of Pennsylvania. Its mission was to provide second-hand clothing, furniture, jewelry and home d_cor for customers in a casual fun environment. OUR STORES Since the first store opened in West Philly we continually strive to connect with our customers through unique products and engaging store design. Instead of transforming buildings into something new, we preserve their original features, a trait that has become our signature look. We strip back paint to its first layer, expose brick walls, and use original pieces as displays and fixtures. Our approach goes beyond historical preservation _ itÍs about maintaining a layered history, but infusing a new, fresh atmosphere. DIRECT TO CONSUMER BUSINESS The millennium brought with it a new shopping experience, one that wasn't a physical location. In 1998, Anthropologie released its first catalog with circulation more than doubling before the end of the year. In August of that same year, Anthropologie.com was established. Site visits and online orders were well above initial expectations, which fueled investments in future E-commerce efforts. It wasn't long before our other brands opened a web store - Urban Outfitters in 1999 and Free People in 2004.