“We’ve had a few stores in the valley, but this is a new concept,” said Juliana Benharbon, daughter of West of SoHo owner Michel Benharbon. “We kind of want to have a place in downtown that’s affordable for students and people around here.”
Blocks away from the downtown Phoenix campus, West of SoHo hopes to attract students with both their prices and their atmosphere.
“It’s just really trendy,” said Juliana Benharbon.
Among the features of West of Soho is a dressing room area, which Juliana Benharbon pointed out is complete with a red floor and a background for customers to take pictures in front of as if they are on a Hollywood red carpet.
Juliana Benharbon said the store is family-oriented–she runs it along with her parents and brother.
The owners of West of SoHo have similar stores across the valley under different names in Anthem, Happy Valley, Glendale and one opening soon in Scottsdale.
West of Soho also routinely offers discounts, Juliana Benharbon said, noting that this month there was a discount available for 15 percent off any purchase.
“I thought the prices were very reasonable,” journalism freshman Alex Lancial said. “Plus, they have promotions that you can get if you like their Facebook page. I’ll definitely go back because the prices were so reasonable.”
Lancial said she thought West of SoHo had cute clothes and said she liked the store’s atmosphere.
“I think other students will shop there because it’s cheap and the stuff that they have is really fashionable,” Lancial said. “I purchased a shirt and a dress there for $28.”
Though West of SoHo has already opened, their official grand opening will be on Nov. 4 during the CityScape grand opening, Benharbon said.
Other retail spaces projected to open on Nov. 4 in CityScape include Urban Outfitters, Charming Charlie and Republic of Couture.
“There’s going to be a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday weekend planned where there’ll be some different events going on with live music, a dedication for Patriots [Square] Park [and] the mayor is giving an address…” Fred Pandrok, a social and digital marketing consultant for CityScape, said of the CityScape grand opening. “At this point, everything will be free as far as entertainment.”
Designer District and the salon Par Exsalonce are among the businesses also already open in CityScape.
Contact the reporter at danielle.a.chavez@asu.edu
