The Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors offered support for the partnership of Terrain and Delaware Valley University at its Sept. 21 meeting.
Terrain is a garden, home and outdoor lifestyle brand that is owned by Urban Outfitters. The company also specializes in small events, with seven locations spread throughout Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, and Connecticut. Terrain’s initial launch was in 2008, when the first location opened in Glen Mills.
Because of DelVal’s specialization in agriculture, Terrain saw a great fit for a partnership. The Terrain in Doylestown would be comprised of a garden center, a café with fresh produce and dairy (assisted by DelVal), and the event space. The proposed location is 2100 Lower State Road in Doylestown Township, where The Market at DelVal was previously located.
“This could be a sustaining spot that allows DVU to grow and do what they specialize in, while allowing us at Terrain to focus on what we specialize in – retail,” said Dave Ziel, chief development officer at Urban Outfitters.
Ziel said that Terrain faced difficulties finding a partner, but they knew “from the very first meeting” with DelVal that the two parties were “extremely compatible.”
DelVal is celebrating its 125-year anniversary this year. Randy Barfield, chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration at DelVal, explained the three criteria that he hoped a partner would bring to the university:
- Desire for strong admissions to the university
- Focus and commitment to experiential learning, or learning by doing
-Strength of the partner – because it’s a small school, a strong partner who will help bring in more revenue will allow DelVal to offer more scholarships and programs
The third criterion is what really attracted them to Terrain, Barfield said. Urban Outfitters Inc. is comprised of Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, FP Movement, Terrain, Urban Outfitters, Nuuly and Menus & Venues brands. Urban Outfitters’ net worth is currently over $3.2 billion, according to Forbes. For reference, DelVal’s endowment is $30.9 million, per Statistica.
Benjamin E. Rusiloski, interim president of DelVal, said “the collaboration will provide ample opportunities for the residents of Doylestown.”
A community member echoed this sentiment, coming up to the podium to share his thoughts with the board, saying that Terrain is “a great addition to the community that I fully support.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.