Anthropologie’s first London store opens October 23

There were several worthwhile nuggets of information in Urban Outfitter’s quarterly earnings call held yesterday (August 13, 2009). One of the reveals I’m most excited about is the apparent opening date for one of Anthropologie’s two upcoming London stores.

From Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk:
…In Europe, … for the Urban brand we’ve typically opened a store or two a year. We’ll begin to accelerate that. We have the first Anthropologie opening this October, October 23rd. The second Anthropologie, that’s opening on Regent Street in London. The second Anthropologie in Europe will open in the first quarter of 2010…

So by process of elimination, if it’s not the location at 158 Regent Street that’s opening on October 23, it must be the location at 131-141 King’s Road in Chelsea. Update 9/12: Turns out it is 158 Regent Street that’s opening on 10/23/2009.

The Chelsea location will be Anthropologie’s second brick & mortar store in Europe and has not come without some controversy. The King’s Road location is in the 8,000 sq. foot Antiquarius building, formerly home to a gentlemen’s club but most recently the site of several antiquities dealers. Some of those dealers were reportedly evicted to make way for the ruffles and flowiness. The news is better for nearby business who have suffered in the economic downturn. An Anthropologie — especially the first one outside of North America — is sure to help foot traffic.

Senk went on to say that he expects to have about 50 stores open in Europe next year. He did not expand to say whether that includes currently open Urban Outfitters stores or where any other new locations might be.

Any thoughts on where else in Europe Anthropologie should land? I’ll have another post later today on some of the other interesting insights from the call.