United By Blue Expanding Footprint on Penn’s Campus

University of Pennsylvania Contact: 
Jennifer Rizzi, Communications Director, Penn Facilities & Real Estate Services 215.573.6107, rizzi@upenn.edu 


United By Blue Contact:  
Ethan Peck, PR Associate 
607.279.7693, ethan@unitedbyblue.com 

The University of Pennsylvania and United By Blue - an outdoor brand known for their responsible, durable goods – will open a newly expanded space in University City this winter. A lease has been signed for 3421 Walnut Street, adding approximately 1,655 sq. ft. adjacent to their existing store on campus.  This newly expanded location will be complete with a full selection of the brand’s outdoor merchandise, along with improved traffic flow and new seating areas to allow for a busy café business.   


“We are excited to expand our footprint on Penn’s campus this year.  Since our initial opening here in 2013, we have received a tremendous amount of support from the Penn community, and we believe the additional square footage will allow for a more cohesive brand experience,” said United By Blue cofounder Mike Cangi.  “With roughly three times the space of the current location, we will be able to provide more seating options and a much wider range of our apparel, bags, and accessories.” 

Started in 2010 in Philadelphia, United By Blue is an outdoor brand driven by the belief that every living creature is united by the blue of our world's oceans and waterways, and we all share the responsibility to protect them.  Their pledge unites these beliefs with their business: for every product sold, they remove one pound of trash from the waterways through company-organized cleanups.  All apparel and accessories are also responsibly made, using sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other natural fibers.    


 “We want to bring to the University community a dynamic mix of shops, while looking at opportunities with local products and regional success stories,” said Ed Datz, Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate. “United By Blue has been very popular with our customer base, and their business philosophy aligns with our sustainability goals within Penn’s retail portfolio.” 


United By Blue products can be found in more than 650 retailers nationally, in their Philadelphia and Manhattan stores, and online.   Learn more about United By Blue’s pledge and products at www.unitedbyblue.com


MSC Retail represented the University of Pennsylvania in the transaction. 


About Penn Retail 
Penn’s retail district offers an inspired, contemporary shopping and dining experience, open to all. Spanning ten city blocks from 30th to 40th Streets and across Spruce, Walnut, and Chestnut Streets, the district features more than 75 curated shopping and dining outlets immersed in the region’s most beautiful and historic university campus. The diverse collection of retail offerings—including national brands and independent shops—provides the highest quality options at every price point for the Penn community, surrounding neighborhoods, and beyond. Visit Penn Shopping and Dining website for a full listing of retailers.