After 56 years on the Corner, Eljo's Traditional Clothes will relocate to the Millmont Shops behind Barracks Road August 15. The store's building is on the market and store owners aim to take advantage of the Charlottesville market beyond the University community.
Co-owners Myles and Trent Thurston credit the move to the shift of Charlottesville's retail stores from the Corner to more central city locations.
"The Corner used to be the center of Charlottesville," Trent Thurston said. "[Now], it's actually quite the opposite. Most people who live in Charlottesville don't ever come to the Corner, and so at our new location we can do a better part of servicing Charlottesville."
Originally located where the Tropical Smoothie shop now is on University Ave., Eljo's moved to its current location on Elliewood Ave. in 1985 because of the building's larger space. The Elliewood Ave. building offered 10,000 square feet of space and more parking, Thurston said. Until 10 years ago, Eljo's also had a women's store, which was located upstairs.
The location where the store is moving has 144 parking spots, Thurston said, adding that "it's got all of the benefits of being at Barrack's Road without the [clustering] of Barracks Road."
The move comes as a surprise to some of the other retail stores located on the Corner who don't feel that a more central Charlottesville location is necessary to their retail success.
"I'm devastated they're moving because they are one of those stores that draws people to the Corner," said Jocelyn Churchill, the manager of neighboringclothing store Finch.
Even Churchill acknowledged Eljo's stock may no longer be as well suited to the Corner as it was when the University had a more formal dress code.
"They sell men's suits, and do that many students buy men's suits? Not really."
However, retail stores located at the Millmont Shops are thrilled with Eljo's decision to move.
"I am very excited," Judy Bushkin, owner of Judy B. women's store, said. "I think it will be very complementary to [my] store."
The building on Elliewood where Eljo's and the Ragged Mountain Running Shop are located is on the market for sale, according to Ragged Mountain manager Cynthia Lorenzoni.
Ragged Mountain is currently unsure of its future plans, but is considering all options including moving to another Corner location, Lorenzoni said.
Despite the move, Thurston believes that most of Eljo's University customers will travel to the new location.
"Everyone here who goes to U.Va who's not a first year has a car, and there are a few people who don't," Thurston said.
Loyal customer and University President John T. Casteen, III embraced that sentiment.
"[It] will be good exercise [to walk to the new location]," said
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