Gap Inc. subsidiaries Old Navy and Banana Republic will be opening soon in the Barracks Road Shopping Center. Old Navy has announced it will open Nov. 17, while Banana Republic tentatively will open Dec. 3.
The Old Navy store will take the space formerly occupied by the Farmer Jack grocery store. Banana Republic will open in the central island area in the Barracks parking lot.
Old Navy managers hope to hire 200-350 new employees for the new Barracks location. Banana Republic has not yet announced its hiring goals.
Fourth-year College student Amanda Hildt also thinks the new clothing stores will benefit University students.
"I think it will create job opportunities ... it will be especially good for the holiday season," Hildt said.
"I'm glad a discounted store like Old Navy will be in the Barracks Road Shopping Center because stores there are generally high priced," she said.
Old Navy and Banana Republic will join clothing retailers already in the shopping center such as Wet Seal and Britches.
Leslie Wood, the operations manager for the new Old Navy store, said Gap Inc. is very excited about expanding its business into the Charlottesville area.
"This area's really starving for our business," Wood said. "It's a great company, and this is going to be a great store for us.
"The location is wonderful, although there may be some parking problems," she said.
Wood, who has worked for Old Navy since 1995, is also optimistic regarding the success of Old Navy as a whole.
"Our company is doing great business," she said.
"Since opening in 1994, we've been opening 120-130 stores each year," she added. "It's amazing that in a market where some retailers are going out of business, we continue to grow."
Woods emphasized Old Navy's dedication to customer service as a reason behind the company's success.
"Old Navy is the sort of company people will try to copy," she said. "Customer service and making this a fun environment is how we keep customers."
John Rickett, general manager at the Barracks Old Navy, echoed Wood's sentiments.
"The reason I work for Gap Inc. is the people part of it," Rickett said. "From A to Z, the people part of it is really about [pleasing] the customer."
He said he believes University students will affect the profitability of the new stores.
"I think having the students in school will increase my business because the branding image that the Gap portrays is one for everyone ... including college students," he added.
"My business will go down slightly when school is out," Rickett said.
Although he added that students may affect business at Old Navy, he said he does not plan to hold special sales at the store just for University students.
"We'll have sales just as large brand does which is consistent all across the country for every single person," he said.
A few University students have already been hired to work at the new stores. Second-year college student Jason Cross has was hired to work for the new Old Navy store.
Cross said he wanted to work there because "it's convenient. I worked at a Gap store before and really enjoyed the experience, so I decided to work here."
Other University students seem to be excited to have Gap Inc. stores in Barracks as well.
"Old Navy is a pretty good store. They offer a pretty good price, so it's a good thing to have near the University," first-year College student Wei Zhang said.
Second-year College student Jamilla Cleary said she prefers the more upscale Banana Republic.
"The styles at Banana Republic [are] sleek and modern. I'm really excited," Cleary said.
Third-year College student Lauren Stevenson is also excited to see Banana Republic opening at Barracks.
"I like Banana Republic because I'm looking for something more upscale than Gap," she said.
"I usually just buy clothes for my parents in Barracks, but with Banana Republic and Old Navy coming there is more of a selection for a younger clientele like students here," she added.
However, fourth-year College student Laura Hartman expressed reservations about the new stores opening near the University.
"I'm psyched about it [Old Navy's opening] but it feels like Charlottesville is becoming another Northern Virginia. What's coming next, J. Crew?"
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