New weekend plans are being made for Campo’s favorite local shopping mall, but not for the same reasons. Because of a new store that just opened in Broadway Plaza, flocks of students from all over the Lamorinda area are headed to Walnut Creek to shop at the newly opened Hollister store.

Broadway Plaza has been a hub of teenage congregation for years, so the vacancy of the lot previously housing the Old Navy store until now has left shoppers puzzled. Hollister is a trademark store for people aged 13-18, and its arrival at the mall has been drawing crowds since its opening in mid-October.

Hollister has been around since 2000, when it was originally opened in Ohio. Since then, the store has boomed, spreading across the United States and abroad. Hollister's clothing attracts shoppers with its targeted branding through social media platforms like TikTok, as well as a “Southern California vibe.”

The Walnut Creek store is looking for employees, and has been hiring teens. Junior Gavin Gunn, an employee at the new location, notes that he “enjoys collaborating with other employees his age,” and because of the convenient location, he is able to “see kids from Campo often.” Gunn's time working at Hollister opened his eyes to a work environment with people not only his age, but older as well. He owns several pieces of clothing from the store himself, and will continue to shop there.

Aside from Gunn working there, many students can be seen wearing the trendy styles like freshman Ace Epperson. Epperson is known for wearing Hollister simply because he “likes the brand.” Epperson explains that the newly opened Walnut Creek location will be convenient for him as the majority of his wardrobe is from Hollister.

The arrival of the new store is sure to bring in new styles, and students should consider visiting the new store sooner rather than later – mainly because of the sales the store is offering due to its opening. Shopping at Hollister in Walnut Creek will likely become a must, just as the other trademark stores lining Lamorinda’s clothing capital Broadway Plaza have become as well.