You know the drill. You're driving up that massive hill in Granville, dodging traffic near the interstate, and wondering if you actually need another pair of Pixie pants or if you're just bored. Honestly, the Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia location at University Town Centre has become a sort of local landmark for anyone living between Fairmont and Waynesburg. It's not just a clothing store; it's a barometer for how retail is actually holding up in North Central West Virginia.
Shopping in Morgantown is a weird experience.
One day the parking lot is a ghost town, and the next, it's like every WVU student and Mon County parent decided to descend upon the clearance racks at the exact same time. If you've spent any time at the University Town Centre location, you know it's tucked in right near the Target and T.J. Maxx, creating a "retail Bermuda Triangle" where your Saturday afternoon simply disappears.
Why the Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia Location Stays Packed
Most people assume brick-and-mortar is dying, but this specific spot bucked the trend for years. Why? Geography. If you live in Morgantown, you're either shopping here or you're driving an hour north to Washington, PA, or south to Bridgeport.
The Morgantown store benefits from being in the highest-growth county in the state. While other parts of West Virginia are struggling, Monongalia County is basically its own economic island. This Old Navy isn't just serving college kids looking for cheap flip-flops; it’s the primary hub for families in the surrounding rural areas who need school clothes but don't want to deal with the chaos of the Morgantown Mall—which, let's be real, has seen better days.
The layout here is pretty standard for a "big box" Old Navy. You've got the women’s section dominating the front left, kids and baby in the back, and the men’s section tucked away on the right. It’s predictable. But predictability is actually a virtue when you're a parent trying to find a specific size of toddler leggings before a meltdown happens in the middle of the aisle.
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The Student Factor and the "Blue Gold" Rush
The proximity to West Virginia University changes the inventory game. You'll notice that the Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia store carries way more "spirit wear" and navy/gold color palettes than a random location in, say, Ohio. During Move-In Week in August or Parent's Weekend in the fall, this store is a madhouse.
Retailers call this "localized assortment." Basically, corporate knows that if they stock gold hoodies in Morgantown, they’ll sell out in forty-eight hours. If they sent those same hoodies to a store in Pittsburgh, they'd sit on the clearance rack for six months.
It’s actually a bit of a localized hack for residents. If you want the basic, non-university colors, go during a home football game. The store is usually empty because everyone else is at the stadium or tailgating in the Blue Lot. That's the best time to browse without feeling like you're in a mosh pit.
Navigating the University Town Centre Chaos
Let's talk about the actual experience of getting there. If you aren't from the area, University Town Centre (UTC) can be a nightmare. It’s built on a reclaimed coal mine site, which explains why the roads feel like they're constantly shifting and the layout makes absolutely no sense to the human brain.
To get to Old Navy, you have to navigate the "Big Box Circle."
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- Take Exit 155 off I-79.
- Pray the light at the bottom of the hill is green.
- Wind your way past the car dealerships and the Sheetz.
- Locate the storefront between the other major anchors.
Parking at the Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia location is usually decent because the lot is shared with several other massive retailers. However, the curb directly in front of the store is a magnet for people "just waiting for a second" while their spouse runs in. Don't be that person. It clogs up the whole flow of the shopping center.
Is the Inventory Better Than Online?
Honestly? Sometimes. The main perk of the Morgantown location is the "Online Return" rack. Because so many people in the area order from Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy online, the store gets a steady stream of unique items that aren't usually stocked in physical stores. These get marked down and put on the "Clearance" or "Returns" racks.
I’ve found high-end activewear and coats there that were never officially on the floor. It’s a scavenger hunt. If you're looking for the $2.00 flip-flop sale or the $10.00 jean sale, you have to get there early. The Morgantown crowd is savvy, and they will pick those racks clean by 10:00 AM.
What Most People Get Wrong About Shopping in Morgantown
People think that because it's a "college town," everything is geared toward 19-year-olds. That’s a mistake. The Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia store is actually one of the better-stocked locations for maternity and plus-size options in the region.
In many smaller cities, these sections are relegated to a tiny corner or removed entirely in favor of more "standard" sizes. But because the Morgantown store serves such a massive geographic radius—drawing people from Preston, Marion, and Taylor counties—they keep a more diverse inventory. It’s one of the few places in North Central WV where you can actually try on maternity jeans in person rather than guessing your size online and dealing with the hassle of mailing them back.
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The staffing here is also a bit of a mixed bag. You've got the lifers who have worked there for five years and know exactly where the hidden backstock is, and then you have the rotating cast of WVU students working their first part-time job. If you need a specific size, look for the person who looks like they’ve seen a thousand Saturday rushes. They’re the ones who actually know how to use the handheld scanners to check the back.
The Impact of Local Competition
Old Navy doesn't exist in a vacuum. The University Town Centre has a Kohl’s, a T.J. Maxx, and a Marshalls all within walking distance. This creates a weird price war.
If Old Navy isn't running a 40% off sale, people just walk next door. This keeps the Morgantown store aggressive with its promotions. You’ll often see "Today Only" deals prominently displayed on the sidewalk to lure people away from the siren song of the T.J. Maxx home decor aisle.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
If you're planning a trip to the Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia location, don't just wing it.
- Go Tuesday or Wednesday morning. This is when the new shipments are typically processed and the store hasn't been wrecked by the weekend crowds.
- Check the "Ship to Store" option. If you want to avoid the $50 free shipping threshold on the website, have your order sent to the University Town Centre location. You can try it on in the fitting room and return it immediately if it’s a dud.
- Download the app before you enter the store. The cell service inside those metal-roofed buildings can be spotty. Have your coupons loaded and your barcodes ready to scan at the register.
- Watch the "Power Pins." The endcaps of the aisles (Power Pins) in this specific store are usually where the deepest discounts are hidden, rather than the "Clearance" section at the very back which tends to be a disorganized jumble.
- Avoid the 5:00 PM rush. Between people getting off work at Mylan (Viatris) or the hospitals and students finishing class, the 155 exit becomes a parking lot. Time your visit for late morning or after 7:00 PM.
The reality of the Old Navy Morgantown West Virginia store is that it's a staple of the local economy. It’s consistent. In a town where restaurants open and close every six months, this anchor store provides a sense of normalcy for residents who just want a decent pair of jeans without paying boutique prices. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done.
When you head up that hill next time, remember that the "secret" to a good experience is all about timing and knowing that the best stuff is often hidden in the returns rack. Check the signage, keep your app open, and maybe grab a coffee before you tackle the University Town Centre traffic. It makes the whole ordeal much more manageable.