A look inside the new Anthropologie store in South End

Happy opening day of Anthropologie at Atherton Mill! I popped into the opening night party and was severely under-styled in my flimsy dress from Target paired with my pen and notepad accessories. But everyone seemed too caught up in the snacks and clothes to care.

Your fast facts: This store is in a factory building dating back to 1919. Features including glass windows and brick columns were restored. The space is 6,000 square feet and nestled into the spot at 2140 South Blvd., Suite 200 in South End’s Atherton Mill.

Now, on to my five favorite details of this fancy new space:

(1) Art pieces on the walls.

Several conglomerations were coated in powder-blue latex paint and placed on the walls. “It was piece by piece,” said one staff member, Ana Reigstad. Here, feast your eyes:

(2) The fitting rooms reflected my first impression: So Much Natural Light.

“The natural light is really nice for trying on clothes,” staff member Katie Florian said.

Yes. Yes it is. Every surface was aglow at 6 p.m. and the light flooded each of the nine fitting rooms. The corridor of rooms opened into a lounge area with a three-way mirror. Here, I wished I had snagged the cherry-red pants from the main room to try on. If only.

There are shirts. And deliciously labeled toiletry items like rose soap and geranium hand cream.

(4) The sale room.

A stingy spender’s dream! A sign read: “Enjoy an extra 30 percent off sale items.” Don’t mind if I do.

(5) The home goods section.

Somehow this was the most overwhelming aspect. In a good way. So much to gawk at. Four vignettes showed off spreads of feather dusters and dishes, hourglasses and aprons, bedspreads and blankets, wine ware and ornate door knobs (read: zebra heads).

Also, don’t be fooled by this wine bar to the right. It’s not functional. I asked.

Photos by Katie Toussaint

Katie Toussaint has her eye on a particular dress and plans to go back. She won’t tell you which one. When she’s not being secretive, she edits for CharlotteFive and community news at the Charlotte Observer. Follow her on Twitter@katietoussaint.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 12:17 AM.