See you then.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Opening Day
know it nothing is formally opening both levels on Saturday, the 23rd of June. Consider this a personal invite.
See you then.
See you then.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
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Sunday, May 20, 2007
Progress
In addition to the few sites that have featured us, we have been featured in Highsnob's New Dandyism column. Our project and the New Dandyism store have a similar direction which is why it made sense for us to be featured there. Footurama did a feature too. Thanks to Chris Torres and Max Suriaganda for their support. Have a look:
http://www.highsnobiety.com/the_columns/new_dandyism/index.htm
http://www.footurama.com
http://www.highsnobiety.com/the_columns/new_dandyism/index.htm
http://www.footurama.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Prep Work
Some of the boys came down two weeks ago to help with the store prep. I got Rish and Inny to come and work on some stuff with me. The apartment was a shithole but I had no choice. Anyone who knows me knows I have a thing for neatness. I prefer calling it that. The others call it being anal.
I believe you can carry out tasks without making a mess if you're careful enough. Some others don't believe that. So anyway, we all started taking stock and tagged all the clothing that weekend. The guys pretty much chipped in and we got all the stuff rolling. Some were allocated store duty which meant they had to go to the store to check on the renovation progress and some had to sit at the apartment and get work done. Nonetheless, when push came to shove, all of us were shoving.
The boys also understood my frustration when they too would go to the store to find that things weren't getting done on time. They basically knew I wasn't going to move into the store that weekend. Not a problem, Rishi wiped away my concerns with a $463 purchase. Thanks for that mate. I appreciate it.
When they left, Eugene and myself went ahead and sorted out all the other admin stuff. It somehow flew by and then my parents came. They were real useful as well. My father could also see that shit was just taking too long or not getting done and that pissed him off as well. We decided to take action and basically claim the store space back and start moving into the store. By Friday evening we had our prayers and then we moved in.
I'm not real religious but I felt the need for them anyway. I need all the help I can get.
The move to the store turned out well. Everyone chipped in again and that made it a lot quicker. In no time we unpacked and got the place ready. We have basically now started running the place. There are a lot of little things in store like leaks and damages and what not that need to be sorted out. The place is real old so we get problems there that most people don't have to face when in a mall. The cockroach count has reached 7. The glass roof leak repair count has reached 5.
We also need to add mats and other things to the change room.
The website also needs to get finished. That should be done very soon. The response on the forums really warrants for us to get this thing up and running. That'll help us identify ourselves better.
Here are some photographs from 2 weeks ago. Tough time!
I believe you can carry out tasks without making a mess if you're careful enough. Some others don't believe that. So anyway, we all started taking stock and tagged all the clothing that weekend. The guys pretty much chipped in and we got all the stuff rolling. Some were allocated store duty which meant they had to go to the store to check on the renovation progress and some had to sit at the apartment and get work done. Nonetheless, when push came to shove, all of us were shoving.
The boys also understood my frustration when they too would go to the store to find that things weren't getting done on time. They basically knew I wasn't going to move into the store that weekend. Not a problem, Rishi wiped away my concerns with a $463 purchase. Thanks for that mate. I appreciate it.
When they left, Eugene and myself went ahead and sorted out all the other admin stuff. It somehow flew by and then my parents came. They were real useful as well. My father could also see that shit was just taking too long or not getting done and that pissed him off as well. We decided to take action and basically claim the store space back and start moving into the store. By Friday evening we had our prayers and then we moved in.
I'm not real religious but I felt the need for them anyway. I need all the help I can get.
The move to the store turned out well. Everyone chipped in again and that made it a lot quicker. In no time we unpacked and got the place ready. We have basically now started running the place. There are a lot of little things in store like leaks and damages and what not that need to be sorted out. The place is real old so we get problems there that most people don't have to face when in a mall. The cockroach count has reached 7. The glass roof leak repair count has reached 5.
We also need to add mats and other things to the change room.
The website also needs to get finished. That should be done very soon. The response on the forums really warrants for us to get this thing up and running. That'll help us identify ourselves better.
Here are some photographs from 2 weeks ago. Tough time!
We finally got there.
The store is now open. It's taken us a while but we're finally there. We opened today for a short while at 4pm. Tomorrow will be our first full day.
Eugene and myself have been running around a whole lot. It's felt like a long week and it's only Tuesday. We are both looking forward to a good response after all the other preparation work we've had to go through.
See you all very soon. Come b(u)y sometime to just sit around and what not. Thanks for the support through and through.
The store is now open. It's taken us a while but we're finally there. We opened today for a short while at 4pm. Tomorrow will be our first full day.
Eugene and myself have been running around a whole lot. It's felt like a long week and it's only Tuesday. We are both looking forward to a good response after all the other preparation work we've had to go through.
See you all very soon. Come b(u)y sometime to just sit around and what not. Thanks for the support through and through.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Further Progress
Okay so what turned out to be Monday or Tuesday to get keys is most likely going to be this Friday. The main cashier/desk didn't come out as it should have so I got penalized with a slight delay. They also painted the floors and the lights came in. We had to throw our weight around a little bit to get things done.
The parents and myself are going to have some prayers for the store on Friday at about 3pm. According to them I need all the help I can get. I'll post up some pictures after.
We are going to move in right after. Eugene and Myself will be working throughout the night and hopefully we'll be done just in time to rake in the cash on Saturday. I'll be sure to post up how we did on that day.
Come see us on Saturday.
The parents and myself are going to have some prayers for the store on Friday at about 3pm. According to them I need all the help I can get. I'll post up some pictures after.
We are going to move in right after. Eugene and Myself will be working throughout the night and hopefully we'll be done just in time to rake in the cash on Saturday. I'll be sure to post up how we did on that day.
Come see us on Saturday.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Progress Report
Sorry for the long hiatus. I have been stuck in trying to get things running. As of now I am officially 3 months behind schedule. This is a tough town and I have figured it out the hard way. Enough crying already, here's the plan.
I get the keys from the contractor on Monday or Tuesday next week. For some reason we keep getting delayed everytime it rains in this city. I don't usually pray but I have been a whole lot these past few days for the sake of this weather. We need warm and clear days so that the spray painting works can dry. It is all of these little things that have been hindering our progress.
The plan is to go in by Monday or Tuesday and set up everything in there. The store will be open sometime next week but I ask all of you that come in to bear with Eugene and myself. Not everything will be perfect as we will still be ironing out all of the little issues around the place. I just want to get this store up and running so that those "When is your store opening? People build buildings in 5 months!" sort of questions and remarks will end. So there's my explanation just in case you all didn't know already. Everything won't be up to par when you come into the store but I hope it will be appreciated nonetheless.
We have been unpacking all the goods and doing stock. We had some issues with Julian Red and Rag & Bone but everything else was smooth sailing. I am finalizing the costing of the goods and yes, I will be pricing everything so it's easy on everyone's wallets.
The Website should be up and running soon as well. I just have to finalize all of the photography and the content that is going in it. I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible and believe me, that can sometimes be quite a challenge. However, my focus is on getting the store space open so that will be the main focus.
The second floor should be up and running in a couple of weeks. I need to finalize the work being done to it. In the meantime, we will operate downstairs while the contractor's crew work upstairs. Again, that's not going to make it too comfortable a working environment but that's we don't have many choices.
That's the progress. See you all next week. I'm going to upload some pictures of my hell week so far. I'll do that later on.
I get the keys from the contractor on Monday or Tuesday next week. For some reason we keep getting delayed everytime it rains in this city. I don't usually pray but I have been a whole lot these past few days for the sake of this weather. We need warm and clear days so that the spray painting works can dry. It is all of these little things that have been hindering our progress.
The plan is to go in by Monday or Tuesday and set up everything in there. The store will be open sometime next week but I ask all of you that come in to bear with Eugene and myself. Not everything will be perfect as we will still be ironing out all of the little issues around the place. I just want to get this store up and running so that those "When is your store opening? People build buildings in 5 months!" sort of questions and remarks will end. So there's my explanation just in case you all didn't know already. Everything won't be up to par when you come into the store but I hope it will be appreciated nonetheless.
We have been unpacking all the goods and doing stock. We had some issues with Julian Red and Rag & Bone but everything else was smooth sailing. I am finalizing the costing of the goods and yes, I will be pricing everything so it's easy on everyone's wallets.
The Website should be up and running soon as well. I just have to finalize all of the photography and the content that is going in it. I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible and believe me, that can sometimes be quite a challenge. However, my focus is on getting the store space open so that will be the main focus.
The second floor should be up and running in a couple of weeks. I need to finalize the work being done to it. In the meantime, we will operate downstairs while the contractor's crew work upstairs. Again, that's not going to make it too comfortable a working environment but that's we don't have many choices.
That's the progress. See you all next week. I'm going to upload some pictures of my hell week so far. I'll do that later on.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Further Progress
Moving along just fine. After a long weekend in Jakarta it was good to come back to obvious progress. Hard to match the trip I had but I have to admit that the store put a decent smirk on my face that lasted a whole lot longer than usual.
We started off the weekend with a whole lot of this:
Sunday came along. The whole family gathered to get a bite at this new joint near the house called "The Pancake House". The food wasn't too good but the company was just right. My family put it best when they said; "It's like white people food made by a bunch of Indonesians".
My flight got delayed out of Jakarta but that wasn't too much of an inconvenience since I met some dude that I knew of. We sat there and shot the shit for a few hours before they put us on an Emirates flight. Good call. Arabic stewardesses sure beat checking out Lufthansa Hags!
I got home to this:
I'm headed back to Jakarta this weekend for a buddy's wedding so that should be good fun. He's the first out of all of us boys to take the plunge so we'll be sure to show our support. Looking forward to it!
We started off the weekend with a whole lot of this:
Sunday came along. The whole family gathered to get a bite at this new joint near the house called "The Pancake House". The food wasn't too good but the company was just right. My family put it best when they said; "It's like white people food made by a bunch of Indonesians".
My flight got delayed out of Jakarta but that wasn't too much of an inconvenience since I met some dude that I knew of. We sat there and shot the shit for a few hours before they put us on an Emirates flight. Good call. Arabic stewardesses sure beat checking out Lufthansa Hags!
I got home to this:
I'm headed back to Jakarta this weekend for a buddy's wedding so that should be good fun. He's the first out of all of us boys to take the plunge so we'll be sure to show our support. Looking forward to it!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Store Progress
Right after I received the work schedule from the contractor today, I broke out into a wtf?! fit for a while. I then decided to call the guy and ask him again, wtf?! was going on.
As I recited my frustration, he cut me off halfway and then went on on a rant of his own. This then progressed into a full blown argument. So get this, according to the schedule now, work will be completed by the END OF NEXT MONTH. Those were his exact words. I am noting this down so that I can hold him responsible when shit isn't finished by the END OF NEXT MONTH. You all can get my back if he chooses to delay even further. When I reminded him of his promise that the project will be done by the end of March, he quickly denied making those claims. So now it's confirmed, END OF NEXT MONTH.
Remember, when working with a contractor, do not make the same mistakes I have. When you are signing your contract and paying them, make sure they identify the start and end dates. Do not simply ask how many days it will take. They usually speak in "working days". 1 "working month" usually means a lot more than just 1 month. It means 1 and a half months. So there you go. I'm sure you guys have learnt something valuable today.
I went to the store today and received the new sanitary items that need to be put in. Nothing exciting but I took a few more photographs.
Back soon.
As I recited my frustration, he cut me off halfway and then went on on a rant of his own. This then progressed into a full blown argument. So get this, according to the schedule now, work will be completed by the END OF NEXT MONTH. Those were his exact words. I am noting this down so that I can hold him responsible when shit isn't finished by the END OF NEXT MONTH. You all can get my back if he chooses to delay even further. When I reminded him of his promise that the project will be done by the end of March, he quickly denied making those claims. So now it's confirmed, END OF NEXT MONTH.
Remember, when working with a contractor, do not make the same mistakes I have. When you are signing your contract and paying them, make sure they identify the start and end dates. Do not simply ask how many days it will take. They usually speak in "working days". 1 "working month" usually means a lot more than just 1 month. It means 1 and a half months. So there you go. I'm sure you guys have learnt something valuable today.
I went to the store today and received the new sanitary items that need to be put in. Nothing exciting but I took a few more photographs.
Back soon.
More Singpost Art
See what I mean....
I definitely prefer this one to the last one I posted. That one was far too girly.
This one is right outside our office building in the CBD and really captures the feeling of that specific working environment. Something worthy to appreciate while doing the mail. I bet nobody in that neighbourhood gives a shit though.
I definitely prefer this one to the last one I posted. That one was far too girly.
This one is right outside our office building in the CBD and really captures the feeling of that specific working environment. Something worthy to appreciate while doing the mail. I bet nobody in that neighbourhood gives a shit though.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Customs
Don't know if you guys have noticed this around town but Singpost seems to have caught the customization bug.
Several of the mailboxes I've come across throughout the city have different illustrations and artwork on them. I wonder if any of Singapore's urban artists have been commissioned to throw their work on a few of these mailboxes to add a different flair.
Store Update: Things are looking good in there. The place does really look different from the last photographs I posted on here. I will be getting more photographs of the place tomorrow. The cement screed work and steel work is almost near completion so it's going to be interesting to see the place this week. Like you all I wish I could see it when it's completely done rather than having to go monitor it step by step. It sort of stunts the excitement but I don't really have much of a choice.
See you soon.
Several of the mailboxes I've come across throughout the city have different illustrations and artwork on them. I wonder if any of Singapore's urban artists have been commissioned to throw their work on a few of these mailboxes to add a different flair.
Store Update: Things are looking good in there. The place does really look different from the last photographs I posted on here. I will be getting more photographs of the place tomorrow. The cement screed work and steel work is almost near completion so it's going to be interesting to see the place this week. Like you all I wish I could see it when it's completely done rather than having to go monitor it step by step. It sort of stunts the excitement but I don't really have much of a choice.
See you soon.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Updates
It's good to get back into it and seeing work go on in the store. The renovations are moving along smoothly and apparently we are 1 day ahead of schedule. We should be fine getting done by the end of March.
I visit the store space at least twice a day. It's always good to see new things going on. On occasion, the space looks completely different on the day's second visit and that's a good feeling. This morning I went down and there was no sky light up on the roof. A couple of hours later I made the trip down and saw the sky light almost completely done and the music area cleaned up, cemented and plastered. These guys work quick.
I also got another shipment in today from Call of the Wild. I am waiting for my shipment from Obedient Sons as I write this. It's great fun opening up these boxes and looking through some of the good stuff in there. I'm hoping people don't buy a lot of stuff so I can keep most of this shit. Yes, the stuff is that good!
I also secured Perks and Mini. They used to be represented by Surrender down here but I'm not sure what happened. People have been anxious for P.A.M to get their stuff back into Singapore so I hope it works out for the store. I need to get PAID!
I have thought about the merchandising and layed it all out in my head. I have pictured the clothing sitting in store and it's looking real good. The P.A.M and Call of the Wild is going to look good next to the Obedient Sons merchandise.
I have been real excited about this whole project. The folks were down here this weekend and they went through the space and they were impressed. I've had a lot to think about and sometimes the 'rents catch me daydreaming. My mother just backhands me upside the head and then I wake up almost instantly ...by the way, the Obedient Sons shipment just got in and all of us gathered around the boxes like little girls to look through the stuff. The stuff is real quality!
Yeah so I have had a lot to think about and it's not going to stop so I better just appreciate it and get on with it.
More photographs of updates.
Back soon.
I visit the store space at least twice a day. It's always good to see new things going on. On occasion, the space looks completely different on the day's second visit and that's a good feeling. This morning I went down and there was no sky light up on the roof. A couple of hours later I made the trip down and saw the sky light almost completely done and the music area cleaned up, cemented and plastered. These guys work quick.
I also got another shipment in today from Call of the Wild. I am waiting for my shipment from Obedient Sons as I write this. It's great fun opening up these boxes and looking through some of the good stuff in there. I'm hoping people don't buy a lot of stuff so I can keep most of this shit. Yes, the stuff is that good!
I also secured Perks and Mini. They used to be represented by Surrender down here but I'm not sure what happened. People have been anxious for P.A.M to get their stuff back into Singapore so I hope it works out for the store. I need to get PAID!
I have thought about the merchandising and layed it all out in my head. I have pictured the clothing sitting in store and it's looking real good. The P.A.M and Call of the Wild is going to look good next to the Obedient Sons merchandise.
I have been real excited about this whole project. The folks were down here this weekend and they went through the space and they were impressed. I've had a lot to think about and sometimes the 'rents catch me daydreaming. My mother just backhands me upside the head and then I wake up almost instantly ...by the way, the Obedient Sons shipment just got in and all of us gathered around the boxes like little girls to look through the stuff. The stuff is real quality!
Yeah so I have had a lot to think about and it's not going to stop so I better just appreciate it and get on with it.
More photographs of updates.
Back soon.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sole Obsession
Last Sunday White Room down on Haji Lane hosted the Sole Obsession sneaker meet. The event was organized by the peeps from White Room, Leftfoot and was sponsored by New Balance and Tiger Beer.
This was the first independent sneaker meet of it's kind. A couple of people chipped in and displayed some of their finest shit but majority of the emphasis was on New Balance. Good to see one of the sneaker brands actually working directly with the consumers and getting involved. This is what makes New Balance one of the best brands out there and I will be pushing it in store. Their non-corporate approach to getting the word out is commendable.
T-shirts were printed out for the event and I'm actually wearing mine as I write this. The booze was also flowing pretty easily which made for a real good day out. There was even a line formed outside White Room which still baffles me till today. I don't think there was anything for sale except for the t-shirts so I don't really understand what the deal was with the line. I guess the hypebeasts were out in full force that day.
I got to meet some fine people at the event and also managed to get the word out about the store as well. I don't think some of the competitors were too happy but that's how it goes.
Enjoy the photographs.
This was the first independent sneaker meet of it's kind. A couple of people chipped in and displayed some of their finest shit but majority of the emphasis was on New Balance. Good to see one of the sneaker brands actually working directly with the consumers and getting involved. This is what makes New Balance one of the best brands out there and I will be pushing it in store. Their non-corporate approach to getting the word out is commendable.
T-shirts were printed out for the event and I'm actually wearing mine as I write this. The booze was also flowing pretty easily which made for a real good day out. There was even a line formed outside White Room which still baffles me till today. I don't think there was anything for sale except for the t-shirts so I don't really understand what the deal was with the line. I guess the hypebeasts were out in full force that day.
I got to meet some fine people at the event and also managed to get the word out about the store as well. I don't think some of the competitors were too happy but that's how it goes.
Enjoy the photographs.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Mailing List
Please sign up to the mailing list at know it nothing for more detailed updates.
Thank You.
I will be back with the Sole Obsession event recap as well as store interior updates.
Thank You.
I will be back with the Sole Obsession event recap as well as store interior updates.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Singapore Zoo
After a long week of looking at clothing, shoes and bills, a trip to the Zoo to celebrate Ekta's bruddah's birthday was much needed. I needed to be outdoors to appreciate all that's good out there.
So I got up Saturday morning and we headed out to the Zoo at about 10 A.M with the Hathi siblings. This place was unreal. Seeing all those animals relaxing and doing their thing made me envious. Those guys looked like they didn't have a worry in the world and I wish I could live a life like that. They looked like they were having as much fun as we were.
We saw Tigers, Lions and the rest of em. I especially liked watching the Polar Bears swim and do their thing. Those guys looked like they were having the most fun. Watching em glide through the water and doing laps was peaceful. I'm sure we could have watched them all day. We then hit up the reptile section. Those crocs and snakes were far too tame for my liking. Scary animals nonetheless.
A great day and definitely the best way to get your mind off anything. Wouldn't have been as good a day trip without the Hathis. Those people have been kind to me since day one and have included me in everything. For that I am grateful. Oh and, Ekta ain't so bad either.
So I got up Saturday morning and we headed out to the Zoo at about 10 A.M with the Hathi siblings. This place was unreal. Seeing all those animals relaxing and doing their thing made me envious. Those guys looked like they didn't have a worry in the world and I wish I could live a life like that. They looked like they were having as much fun as we were.
We saw Tigers, Lions and the rest of em. I especially liked watching the Polar Bears swim and do their thing. Those guys looked like they were having the most fun. Watching em glide through the water and doing laps was peaceful. I'm sure we could have watched them all day. We then hit up the reptile section. Those crocs and snakes were far too tame for my liking. Scary animals nonetheless.
A great day and definitely the best way to get your mind off anything. Wouldn't have been as good a day trip without the Hathis. Those people have been kind to me since day one and have included me in everything. For that I am grateful. Oh and, Ekta ain't so bad either.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Today has been a good day.
Not only was it productive getting some shipments in but I have more good news. I recently made an offer to someone to come and work for me. I don't want to get into great detail but this person is someone I deem fit to come and work for the store. Not only does he have good retail experience, he is also part of the Haji Lane family in that he has been around the neighbourhood working for another store for a while. Since he was doing it for fun, I have offered him the chance to come and work for us full time. Today he got back at me and took the job. I am excited because him and I both see eye to eye in many ways in that we have similar ideas, goals and directions. This always makes for a successful partnership and I look forward to working with the dude.
Something to think about people; don't hire someone just because they can sell shit for you. Anyone can do that! Hire them also because of their ideas and long term goals. In a competitive retail environment, it's always good to afford your employees some creative responsibility as well. You can't get all the ideas on your own. Allowing your employee to grow with the business usually makes for a successful hire. Build that family and the business will eventually take off.
On a more fun note. This guy also hooked me up with some sweet shit. Check these bad boys out. Jap exclusives.
Not only was it productive getting some shipments in but I have more good news. I recently made an offer to someone to come and work for me. I don't want to get into great detail but this person is someone I deem fit to come and work for the store. Not only does he have good retail experience, he is also part of the Haji Lane family in that he has been around the neighbourhood working for another store for a while. Since he was doing it for fun, I have offered him the chance to come and work for us full time. Today he got back at me and took the job. I am excited because him and I both see eye to eye in many ways in that we have similar ideas, goals and directions. This always makes for a successful partnership and I look forward to working with the dude.
Something to think about people; don't hire someone just because they can sell shit for you. Anyone can do that! Hire them also because of their ideas and long term goals. In a competitive retail environment, it's always good to afford your employees some creative responsibility as well. You can't get all the ideas on your own. Allowing your employee to grow with the business usually makes for a successful hire. Build that family and the business will eventually take off.
On a more fun note. This guy also hooked me up with some sweet shit. Check these bad boys out. Jap exclusives.
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