I hadn't been in an Old Navy since, well, the last time that Old Navy occupied a space in what was then Glendale Mall. Of course, the actual "mall" has been gone for more than a few years from this busy corner at 62nd and Keystone Avenue. It has been replaced by Glendale Town Center. While Glendale Town Center still exists, even it has been re-shaped with a vision of mixed usage involving the brand new Ayr Apartments and a relatively open concept retail design that is strangely compelling if not particularly attractive.
Old Navy seems to have always struggled a bit on this side of town. The Glendale location closed. I think the Keystone location closed. However, this recently opened location is back in Glendale Town Center in the reconfigured space previously held by anchor Macy's that is now occupied by multiple smaller retail spots including Old Navy, Five Below, Ross Dress for Less, and fairly soon a Bath and Body Works.
This location is an attractive spot that's within easy walking distance (Well, if you can walk. I can't, though I wheel pretty well) to the Ayr Apartments. I find it fascinating that multiple discount-type stores are located so close to apartments priced at $1,000+ monthly. But, so be it.
This has multiple glass doors as an entryway. It feels like a fabulous and fresh Old Navy. I seem to recall Old Navy always feeling a bit drab, though this has more neon and lots of Old Navy-style clothing that seems to me to lean more casually.
As you enter, the store is essentially an open concept. The concept for the cash registers is fairly weird as they have this sort of boundary and then the registers about 1/3 of the way in. The employees can easily see the doors, however, it just feels a little weird to me.
I was initially excited as they had an automatic door entryway to the right for wheelchair users, however, I was dismayed that both the exterior and interior buttons weren't working. Here's hoping they change that in the near future.
The interior is rather nice, I suppose. If I caught on to the design, it was essentially men's clothing to the left, women's to the right, and kids toward the back. The clothing ranges from extremely affordable to "You're asking how much for those jeans?"
As a brand new store, I was a little dismayed by the lack of customer service. I realize discount stores seem to be a notch below when it comes to customer service, however, I was honestly stunned to enter the store, wander around the store, and leave the store and never be greeted by a single person. I kind of get it at the cash registers - they were, after all, serving customers (though "busy" is not a word I would use), though I saw at least 1-2 other people.
Seriously, I mean Old Navy is right across the street from Target where, gasp, they actually greet you and talk to you. If you want to make a dent in their clothing business, you might want to act like you want customers.
Overall, this is definitely a pleasing atmosphere with the exception of the non-functioning automatic door buttons. There's accessible parking, a nice curb cut (though there's still construction going on), and the store itself offers a pleasant shopping atmosphere with generally accessible aisles. However, if Old Navy wants to prosper in this corner they're going to have to improve the customer service, accessibility, and make people want to come back.
I'm glad Old Navy is here and this corner is improving. However, here's hoping the best things are yet to come. read more
