the shops at la cantera phase II (San Antonio, Austin: sale, salons)

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by luckygreeniii

Really? We park on that side when we go there (not valet) and I have never seen it. I am going to have to pay attention next time. Is it pretty new?

It's easy to miss, it's off to the side quite a bit. The first time I made plans to go I missed it once or twice. And even now that I know where it is it's one of those that if you don't make plans to go there you'll forget it's there.

[pobre]

Wow, Zara!!!!

[jimbo83]

Does anybody know if the United Colors of Benetton sells both men's and women's clothes? I've been to a couple stores that only sold the women's line, while I've been to others that have had both.

[Turtle_Mom]

In high school I loved the cologne "Colors" by Bennetton, but it never lasted long on me. I might have to stop by and see what they are like now.

[BenjaminNicholas]

I agree that the new design of phase II is beautiful. When it's totally 'grown in,' it should look even more fantastic...

I'm just not sold on the new crop of store additions: They're all humdrum versions of their larger selves in other cities. What I mean is that while new, the stores are carrying a severely condensed version of their usual offerings due to being in what they consider an 'experimental' location.

Urban Outfitters is just plain horrible. Huge lack of brand selection and the store is filled with more toys and gadgets than clothing.

Zara, not open yet.

American Apparel, not open yet.

MetroPark: Not my style. A bit too Eurotrashy for me. The 'Ed Hardy' clothing phase has been killing LA for two years now and it's just hitting SA with major force. May God help us.

J.Crew is in every mall in San Antonio already

Ruehl admittedly sells some fantastic jackets. I love their thermals. It's a nice addition to the regular San Antonio shopping lineup.

Toni and Guy: I'm shocked they're still in business. I trust no hair stylist who can't even figure out what looks good on themselves. I saw some serious crimes against hair humanity walking past that location the other day...

B&N: Books are always good, but that was originally where the ZGallerie was supposed to be. I'm still bitter their contract fell through.



I guess what I was hoping for was more high-end stores: Diesel, D&G, Paul Smith, etc. Something new and exciting. What we got was mild amusement and the same ol', same ol'.



C'est la vie,





BN

[ashbeeigh]

I checked everything out today with intentions of buying a new sweater to replace one of mine that has just worn out after four years of college and two years out of college.

I usually park in the Macy's area so even finding my way to the new area which is officially called "The Falls" was kind of a pain. I'll get used to it, nonetheless a pain. The parking off that way was pretty full. There were quite a few people that were over there doing what I was doing, just checking it out.

I started by the Jos. A. Bank store which looks like it is coming along nicely, people were inside working while everyone else was shopping. The Grimaldi's Pizzeria was across the way from there. As I was walking on the sidewalk I was shocked to see a car drive by. Aside from the Highland Park area of Dallas I haven't been in a shopping area quite like that. Anyway. I walked by the United Colors of Benetton and thought I would make my way back, I never actually did so I couldn't answer jimbo83's question. Went past Solistice and Gymborie, no need to go in there (no kids and had sunglasses from wal-mart on).

The BN looks like it is going to be amazing. I honestly think it fits more like a Rim shop, but whatever they're going to be there. It'll be nice to run in there as opossed to the one on De Zavala all the time. I went into Urban Outfitters and the employees were very nice. Very clean and very busy. I saw lots of those shirt folders so they were keeping up well. I wanted to get a Barack Obama shirt but didn't see one there. The selection wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. Nonetheless, it was exciting going in there since I haven't been in one since I was about 13.

MetroPark was a fun place. The DJ was kind of off to the side. When I read that there was a DJ I was stoked about it, but it wasn't that exciting. There was some cool stuff there, nothing too exciting.

I passed on the Aerie store and Gilly Hicks just because it looked too crowded, but did walk through Ruehl. It was small. Free People was a cool place; lots of headbands and some cool shirts, but no sweaters! J Crew wasn't anything special, you've been to one you've been to them all.

So after I didn't find the sweater at any of those places I strolled over to the other side of the the new stores...without a crosswalk btw and headed towards the old shops and found a sweater 50% off at Anthropologie. Talk about luck! (just had to let everyone know).

The only bad thing about Phase II in my eyes is the traffic. Heading from the food court area to Urban Outfitters there is a round about and if cars are coming quickly or if there are a lot of people it's going to be hard to get over to Urban Outfitters. There was a security gaurd controlling traffic today, but who knows how long that will last. There were also some new stop signs added to La Cantera Parkway in between the Fiesta Texas entrace and the entrace with the light. That's a bonus for those coming out of the Westin and those making a left into the Shops.

[jimbo83]

I went last night. It's really nice, they did a really great job. Benetton does have both the men's and women's line (I was hoping they would), though their men's section is very small. The associate I talked to said they hadn't finished putting out their stock, so hopefully they will have more of a selection for men. I'm also thrilled we finally have an Urban Outfitters. I was in there for five minutes and found about a dozen things that I've decided I cannot live without...

I've been waiting for Zara and American Apparel for a long time. North Star already has an American Apparel (where Sharper Image was located, next to the Cheesecake Factory), but apparently AA at La Cantera has yet to open. I walked into a complete mindf*** that I thought was AA, but it wasn't. Zara looks like it's going to be pretty big.

Grimaldi's and Fish City Grill are mixed in with the shops, but there are five other restaurants opening at the end of the main street, two of which have already been announced: Jasper's and Yardhouse. Both open in 2009. Does anybody know, or have an idea, of what the other three will be? I'm hoping at least one is Texas de Brazil (the River Center Mall area is supposedly getting a Fogo de Chao).

There were posts in this forum stating that Armani Exchange, Versace, Gucci and D&G were opening in Phase II. Might those open with the 2009 batch of stores, or were those just speculative? It would be great if The Shops attracted these high-end specialty stores, but these brands (except for A/X) are available at Nieman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. I'm also hoping for a Chanel and Dior boutique, along with the aforementioned stores (not that I could afford any of them, I just want San Antonio on the map for great retail).

What's the deal with Phase III, Town Center? I know it will have 500 residential units, a hotel, and one-million square feet of office space. There is supposedly 200,000 square feet of residential retail going in as well. Does that just mean places like a dry cleaners/laundromat, grocery store and pharmacy, or might we see more mid-level and high-end retail? I'm hoping they add a Panera Bread to Phase III, along with a Starbucks, some banks, and maybe a gym... Something to make it pedestrian/residential friendly.

[AnthonySA]

I just went to La Cantera the other day and the phase two developments are amazing!

I am thoroughly impressed with it... the Barnes & Nobles location there is HUGE, 4 stories tall... and per reports on the SA Business Journal it's supposed to host 200,000 books when completed.

For those of you who haven't ventured out that way since the reopening... basically La Cantera doubled in size.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by AnthonySA

I just went to La Cantera the other day and the phase two developments are amazing!

I am thoroughly impressed with it... the Barnes & Nobles location there is HUGE, 4 stories tall... and per reports on the SA Business Journal it's supposed to host 200,000 books when completed.

For those of you who haven't ventured out that way since the reopening... basically La Cantera doubled in size.

I like how that part of the center feels like an urban street when you're walking on it. Phase 1 is unique, but Phase 2 feels like visiting another city.

[lemonfresh]

And The Town Center will be even better.