AP Shop in Lakeside, Michigan is another Midwest shop with no web store. Brand list is incredibly deep and their home goods store 1 door down is also popping. The owner and her husband are lovely people, they do retail arguably better than anyone in Chicago/Midwest. Tusk holds it down too though
stopped by RSL for the first time today after months of anticipation, incredible store. so exciting for the bay. touched an mfpen shirt with my palms and couldn't leave without it
I was recently at egg trading in London where you get insane customer attention, perhaps by a roaring fire on a rainy day? They have a cult following at this point but we got to talking about the role that e-commerce plays in their sales. I, personally, hadn't bought anything from them in many years because I felt like I wanted the in-store experience to try things on. It sounded like their base customers visit 1-2x/ year and then order the same styles in different fabrics or color ways online. Because they don't really introduce many new silhouettes, this is a really viable model for repeat online sales. Evan Kinori has a similar bent and you essentially know what you're getting once you've visited and tried things on in person.
Yes, that's a nice way to think about it, and echoes a lot of how I (Jonah) prefer to buy things, which is to cop more freely online after first establishing some IRL base line of trust / familiarity with either a designer's work or a shop's judgment (like Neighbour) ... or, to your point, *not* copping online even then, because the in person experience is so nice (and you buy less that way)
As a small brand it was really great to read the experience of other independent shop owners who have chosen the path of just IRL over virtual/ tandem. I have a little shop in Oaxaca, MX and we don’t really sell online, which always gives me deep anxiety because it’s pretty much expected that we should. Generally though I feel like whenever we do try sell online, no matter how interesting or interactive I try to make the experience work, it still just looks like a janky and boring online store, taking away from the uniqueness and humanity imbedded in our work, how I hate it! But the actual physical store, it’s my interior universe/temple realized and clients immediately get it when they enter, it’s incredible to be there helping clients try everything on, telling them how each piece was made, etc which online just cannot replicate. My anxiety has been calmed by this piece, thank you! 🌷
being able to have regular, meaningful in-person relationships with shops has been one of my favorite parts of my time living in portland, or (huuuuuuuge shout outs to stand up comedy & frances may and their amazing crews) - being able to inquire, gossip, and laugh about product makes each and every thing i buy from them so much more meaningful to me.
I was at Ven a couple of Saturdays ago for the first time and the place was buzzing. I didn't leave with anything but really wanted to find a way to support Chris + his team in some way.
On the way home, I wondered if more of these types of shops might opt out of ecomm and instead run a *Shop + Substack* strategy.
As a client, one of the key reasons to visit Ven is the team's curation and perspective. What's coming up, what's out, brands they love, colors they're buying, why they're excited about X new brand...
I would happily pay $5 a month to get that knowledge delivered and support Ven between big purchases.
For the shop, it's a predictable revenue stream. For the client, it means being a part of the community and maybe it comes with added benefits (events, sales, launches, etc). For Jonah and Erin, it could be a very fun consulting project :)
Can confirm Ven Space is amazing and the staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. And whilst the average price does skew higher, there are more accessible pieces from players like Lady White Co and MHL as well. There's something about seeing cool staff members kitted out in their own way, that opens up the imagination on how different brand pieces can come together cohesively. This is definitely something missing online (although ShopNeighbor styling is the closest thing to this, IMO)
Hearing about RSL makes me homesick! I can’t think of many stores like this in LA, perhaps because of how antithetical this city’s car-dependent infrastructure is to storefronts you just pop into for fun because you’re in the area.
If anyone has recommendations for stores like this in LA, I’d love to hear about them. I love the experience and wealth of combined knowledge about Japanese artisans at Tortoise and it’s probably the best example I can think of despite it having a comprehensive webshop.
Chris Murphy cited retail moving online as contributing to a withering of the social fabric. “If we were thinking more aggressively about the importance of social connection policy, […]We would’ve not allowed our downtowns to become stripped bare and our entire economy to move online.” https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/chris-murphy-democrats-neoliberalism.html
One of the best to do it. Feels more common in the brick and mortar vintage space to find irl-only operations, though maybe less so after the advent of the IG vintage storefront
Thank you! I love this topic. More IRL shopping please! Online shopping brings me no joy and often frustration. I try to limit my online purchases to brands I know well and am pretty certain of the fit and quality. For me, the joy in shopping comes from going to a physical space that is a reflection of the owners vision - touching, seeing and experiencing the "vibe" of a place and the people who work there. So much respect for independent retailers that can make it work without e-commerce. You enrich our communities!
Last year I wanted to exchange a gift I received from my favorite store in Austin - "Take Heart". At first I was surprised that they did not have a straight forward online process for exchanges - I had to call the shop and speak to the manager several times to get the transaction completed but it ended up being a delightful experience. I was charmed by how helpful, kind and thoughtful the manager was with my exchange. I will take that any day over an anonymous online experience even though it took more time and effort. It was worth it to make a connection with a real person!
i have worked in "big box" luxury (not an oxymoron, unfortunately) for 20+ years. If I had the guts to open a store, I would also forgo on-line sales. As stated in the article, the financials are not in your favor (like gambling, it seems tempting, cuz every once in a while, you win--but the odds are not in your favor). Between the wear/returners, the ones who found it cheaper elsewhere, the ones who buy multi sizes and the implied ENTITLEMENT (to free shipping, free returns, 30 day + return policies for original form of payment, returns for imagined defects--I could go on) this is not a game you will win. I agree 100% with the focus on building a real (not marketing-speak) community with CUSTOMERS WHO UNDERSTAND YOUR VALUE.
Visited Rising Star Laundry last Wednesday and can confirm that Nicole & Brody are very kind and made the shopping experience friendly and warm! I didn't pick up anything this time around but it's refreshing knowing that there is a shop one bus stop away, where I can walk in and just chat about what they're carrying. Excited to see what they do.
AP Shop in Lakeside, Michigan is another Midwest shop with no web store. Brand list is incredibly deep and their home goods store 1 door down is also popping. The owner and her husband are lovely people, they do retail arguably better than anyone in Chicago/Midwest. Tusk holds it down too though
Great to know, thank you
stopped by RSL for the first time today after months of anticipation, incredible store. so exciting for the bay. touched an mfpen shirt with my palms and couldn't leave without it
Nice!
I was recently at egg trading in London where you get insane customer attention, perhaps by a roaring fire on a rainy day? They have a cult following at this point but we got to talking about the role that e-commerce plays in their sales. I, personally, hadn't bought anything from them in many years because I felt like I wanted the in-store experience to try things on. It sounded like their base customers visit 1-2x/ year and then order the same styles in different fabrics or color ways online. Because they don't really introduce many new silhouettes, this is a really viable model for repeat online sales. Evan Kinori has a similar bent and you essentially know what you're getting once you've visited and tried things on in person.
Yes, that's a nice way to think about it, and echoes a lot of how I (Jonah) prefer to buy things, which is to cop more freely online after first establishing some IRL base line of trust / familiarity with either a designer's work or a shop's judgment (like Neighbour) ... or, to your point, *not* copping online even then, because the in person experience is so nice (and you buy less that way)
As a small brand it was really great to read the experience of other independent shop owners who have chosen the path of just IRL over virtual/ tandem. I have a little shop in Oaxaca, MX and we don’t really sell online, which always gives me deep anxiety because it’s pretty much expected that we should. Generally though I feel like whenever we do try sell online, no matter how interesting or interactive I try to make the experience work, it still just looks like a janky and boring online store, taking away from the uniqueness and humanity imbedded in our work, how I hate it! But the actual physical store, it’s my interior universe/temple realized and clients immediately get it when they enter, it’s incredible to be there helping clients try everything on, telling them how each piece was made, etc which online just cannot replicate. My anxiety has been calmed by this piece, thank you! 🌷
🔥
being able to have regular, meaningful in-person relationships with shops has been one of my favorite parts of my time living in portland, or (huuuuuuuge shout outs to stand up comedy & frances may and their amazing crews) - being able to inquire, gossip, and laugh about product makes each and every thing i buy from them so much more meaningful to me.
I was at Ven a couple of Saturdays ago for the first time and the place was buzzing. I didn't leave with anything but really wanted to find a way to support Chris + his team in some way.
On the way home, I wondered if more of these types of shops might opt out of ecomm and instead run a *Shop + Substack* strategy.
As a client, one of the key reasons to visit Ven is the team's curation and perspective. What's coming up, what's out, brands they love, colors they're buying, why they're excited about X new brand...
I would happily pay $5 a month to get that knowledge delivered and support Ven between big purchases.
For the shop, it's a predictable revenue stream. For the client, it means being a part of the community and maybe it comes with added benefits (events, sales, launches, etc). For Jonah and Erin, it could be a very fun consulting project :)
Can confirm Ven Space is amazing and the staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. And whilst the average price does skew higher, there are more accessible pieces from players like Lady White Co and MHL as well. There's something about seeing cool staff members kitted out in their own way, that opens up the imagination on how different brand pieces can come together cohesively. This is definitely something missing online (although ShopNeighbor styling is the closest thing to this, IMO)
Hearing about RSL makes me homesick! I can’t think of many stores like this in LA, perhaps because of how antithetical this city’s car-dependent infrastructure is to storefronts you just pop into for fun because you’re in the area.
If anyone has recommendations for stores like this in LA, I’d love to hear about them. I love the experience and wealth of combined knowledge about Japanese artisans at Tortoise and it’s probably the best example I can think of despite it having a comprehensive webshop.
Tortoise is great. If you missed the mention in the piece, check out New High Mart in Los Feliz too !
I need to check it out. I was worried when I saw people online saying it had closed down, but their website is still up, so I’m not sure.
it's a funky operation, might be appointment-only now
Chris Murphy cited retail moving online as contributing to a withering of the social fabric. “If we were thinking more aggressively about the importance of social connection policy, […]We would’ve not allowed our downtowns to become stripped bare and our entire economy to move online.” https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/chris-murphy-democrats-neoliberalism.html
Great read!! I loved how Chris Green has really put a lot of work on Ven. Space. A real labour of brains and love.
Not "new" retail but Procell too — not a web sale in their history
Which is wild when you think about it
One of the best to do it. Feels more common in the brick and mortar vintage space to find irl-only operations, though maybe less so after the advent of the IG vintage storefront
What a wonderfully readable, exciting piece of writing ♥️
Thank you! I love this topic. More IRL shopping please! Online shopping brings me no joy and often frustration. I try to limit my online purchases to brands I know well and am pretty certain of the fit and quality. For me, the joy in shopping comes from going to a physical space that is a reflection of the owners vision - touching, seeing and experiencing the "vibe" of a place and the people who work there. So much respect for independent retailers that can make it work without e-commerce. You enrich our communities!
Last year I wanted to exchange a gift I received from my favorite store in Austin - "Take Heart". At first I was surprised that they did not have a straight forward online process for exchanges - I had to call the shop and speak to the manager several times to get the transaction completed but it ended up being a delightful experience. I was charmed by how helpful, kind and thoughtful the manager was with my exchange. I will take that any day over an anonymous online experience even though it took more time and effort. It was worth it to make a connection with a real person!
i have worked in "big box" luxury (not an oxymoron, unfortunately) for 20+ years. If I had the guts to open a store, I would also forgo on-line sales. As stated in the article, the financials are not in your favor (like gambling, it seems tempting, cuz every once in a while, you win--but the odds are not in your favor). Between the wear/returners, the ones who found it cheaper elsewhere, the ones who buy multi sizes and the implied ENTITLEMENT (to free shipping, free returns, 30 day + return policies for original form of payment, returns for imagined defects--I could go on) this is not a game you will win. I agree 100% with the focus on building a real (not marketing-speak) community with CUSTOMERS WHO UNDERSTAND YOUR VALUE.
Real talk
so inspirational
Visited Rising Star Laundry last Wednesday and can confirm that Nicole & Brody are very kind and made the shopping experience friendly and warm! I didn't pick up anything this time around but it's refreshing knowing that there is a shop one bus stop away, where I can walk in and just chat about what they're carrying. Excited to see what they do.
Taking the bus one stop to a Yoko Sakamoto and James Coward stockist?? The dream !