In late September, downtown Naperville welcomed Brandy Melville, and it has been the talk of the town since.
This new location has been quite popular with OH students since the nearest location previously was downtown Chicago. “Brandy” first opened in Italy in 1984; Los Angeles opened the first US store in 2009, and since then there have been 133 stores open worldwide.
The store is especially known for it’s high quality, reasonably priced wardrobe basics like sweaters, tank tops, and sweatpants.
“I was excited [for the new location],” said OH senior Brooklyn Johnson, “because I didn’t have to spend a lot of money on gas to go to the Chicago location.”
Brandy Melvilles are typically only in major cities such as Chicago or New York City, so when it first opened on Sept. 29, it got pretty busy: lines were wrapped around two blocks all day during opening week.
“I work across the street at Free People and throughout my shifts on opening week, the line was non-stop, but it moved quickly,” said OH 2025 alum Isabel Abas.
Part of the brand’s popularity is because the store changes clothing frequently, so items can be pretty exclusive. Many teens flock to “Brandy” for the aesthetic and the quality materials.
“I really like their clothes, how they market their products, and how often they keep up with trends,” said Johnson. “It’s pretty much your average cost for clothing, and I think their quality reflects that.”
“Brandy’s” clothing is 100% cotton and reasonably priced for the quality. Tank tops range from $18 to $24, hoodies and sweatpants range from $30 to $35. Many OH students feel that they are getting their money’s worth when shopping.
“I feel good about spending money there since it’s inexpensive, and the quality of their clothing is very comfortable,” said OH junior Brooklyn Domark.
Ever since the Naperville location opened, patrons will never see an empty store. OH senior Jakiya Sams noticed the positive atmosphere and environment that Brandy Melville gives to customers and everyone around.
“The environment is very positive,” OH senior Jakiya Sams said. “When I walk in, I am always greeted by a worker with a smile on their face.”
As Brandy Melville continues to settle into its new location, its popularity among teenagers could help it become a regular shopping destination. For many students, the opening means having access to one of their favorite clothing stores without making the long trip to Chicago.
Hello, my name is Ashley Dauderman, I'm a senior at Oswego High School. This is my first year on the 42Fifty staff, proudly serving as a staff reporter! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
