Urban Outfitters Buys Gardening Retailer

Philadelphia Urban Outfitters Inc. veered from its traditional business lines on Friday, saying it will buy a garden center in the Brandywine Valley of suburban Philadelphia, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The company said it has reached an agreement to buy J. Franklin Styer Nurseries Inc., which sells indoor and outdoor plants and "an eclectic assortment of garden supplies and home products," according to Urban Outfitters. The 10-acre site also includes a garden cafe and range of landscape-design and construction services.

In 2006, Urban Outfitters announced it was working on a new, garden-themed store concept to add to its brand portfolio.