New Devon Yard opens its doors
EASTTOWN » Just in time for fall, the new Devon Yard shops are open.
The low-slung architecture blends with touches of old farmhouse barn wood and fieldstone detailing and seems almost as if it’s always been there.
On a recent weekday, the trademark Urban Outfitter’s shops and restaurants were bustling with customers perusing the inviting plants and gardening items at Terrain or the women’s clothing and household items in Anthropologie and sampling Roman cuisine at Amis Trattoria or coffee at the Terrain Café.
There’s also Terrain Gardens, which accommodates 150 guests in a lush horticultural setting to provide a backdrop for entertaining on any occasion. The venue includes four distinctive spaces and in-house catering, along with BHLDN Weddings, which offers an assortment of wedding gowns, shoes, accessories, bridal party and occasion dresses, décor and gifts.
The upscale shopping area on Lancaster Avenue that stands next to the iconic Devon Horse Show grounds includes five buildings and is designed as a town center.
As the new shopping center went through the planning process in Easttown Township, many residents turned out for zoning and planning meetings. Most of those who spoke out had objected to the large apartment building and garage that had also been proposed for the six-acre site where Waterloo Gardens used to stand. Eventually, the developers dropped the apartments and garage from their plans, securing approval from the township.
“Speaking for the community involved in the zoning hearings, just to be clear, no one in the community never ever opposed the development of the retail portion,” said Joseph Kohn, a lawyer who represented more than 100 residents in the matter. “Our only opposition was to the rezoning for a large apartment building and parking garage. We feel the project was much improved by the elimination of the apartment building. We welcome Urban Outfitters to the neighborhood and hope they stay a long time.”
“I agree that it looks fantastic, sort of like Waterloo Gardens on steroids,” said Marc Heppe, chairman of the Easttown Board of Supervisors. “My wife and I attended the soft opening on Sunday the 12th and then the grand opening on Thursday the 16th. Both events were filled with happy, smiley people. Everything was first class from the wait staff to the plant staff to the quality of the food. [It’s] hard to imagine any of the neighbors being unhappy with the result. It seems like the demographic fits the stores’ offerings perfectly. Hopefully, this is the kickstart to more upscale retail in Devon/Berwyn.”
In 1992, Anthropologie opened its first location in Wayne and now has relocated that flagship store to Devon Yard. Added to its product line are wellness items, furniture and home design services.
The Terrain shop at Devon Yard includes staff with nursery expertise and container design, custom planting, home design, private event planning and custom florals.
A Radnor woman who was visiting for the first time but has previously shopped at the Terrain location in Glen Mills said she’s pleased to have a location closer to home.
Some shoppers said that they had traveled for more than hour to reach Devon Yard, showing that it is, at least for now, a destination shopping site like the King of Prussia Mall.
“Devon Yard is a perfect example of how URBN and our brands are evolving in step with our customer,” said Oona McCullough, a spokeswoman for URBN. “We’re pleased that Devon yard will bring joy to their everyday, as well as special occasions, with a beautiful setting, new restaurants, private event space and Anthropologie, BHLDN and terrain’s full lifestyle assortments.”
In its role as town center, Devon yard plans to make a tangible contribution by hosting the community and charitable events. While bowing in August, Devon Yard will celebrate its grand opening in September when it will benefit the Devon Horse Show Foundation, Fred’s Footsteps and Wayne Art Center.