A Continuous Lean.

The US Forest Service.

Michael Williams — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:23:45 +0000

All images via The U.S. Forest Service Archive

UNIONMADE | San Francisco Style Americana

Michael Williams — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:37:11 +0000

Let me first say it is good that new shops are opening. There was a point in this whole economic mess that no new brands were launching and no new stores were opening, it was depressing. Now, while just getting a new store is good, getting a new store like UNIONMADE is great. The men’s shop which was founded by Pennsylvania native Todd Barket, opened this past weekend on Sanchez Street in San Francisco and is an exercise in excellence. Barket spent 18 years at GAP working in various capacities including visual merchandising and marketing, and the man clearly understands retail. I think the worst part about this place is that it is so far away from me.

UNIONMADE seems to have a stock list that dreams are made of, with brands like Rogues Gallery, Alden, Mark McNairy, Levi’s Vintage Clothing, Woolrich, Filson, Crescent Down Works, Pendleton, The Hill-Side, Fox River Mills, Jean Shop, Pointer Brand and many more.

It is interesting to see how Americana has officially manifested itself as the retail story of the past few years. I’d say the graph goes something like this Smith + Butler opens in Brooklyn, Winn Perry in Portland, Craft in Los Angeles, Imogene + Willie in Nashville, Blackbird’s Field House in Seattle and now the newest entrant, UNIONMADE in San Francisco. You might even be able to place the J. Crew Liquor store in there somewhere. It is interesting to see it proliferate across the coasts, but I feel like this type of store would even work in traditionally unfashionable cities across the U.S. Places like Cleveland, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. Maybe I am just crazy. Either way, if you are on this blog chances are you will like this store, I know I do.

UNIONMADE | 493 Sanchez Street | San Francisco, Calif. | 415-861-3373

Pop Up Flea | The Lineup

Michael Williams — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:28:16 +0000

Announcing the lineup for the second ever Pop Up Flea. Everything kicks off this Friday afternoon at 3pm and runs throughout the weekend. The complete dates and times are below. See you there.

Friday, November 20th, 3pm-9pm
Saturday November 21st, 11am-7pm and Sunday the 22nd 11am-6pm.

201 Mulberry Street, Between Spring and Kenmare
New York City

Get Handsome.

Panoramic.

Michael Williams — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:04:15 +0000

Hester Street in New York City

Broad Street Curb Market in NYC

American Percussion | Zildjian Cymbals

Michael Williams — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:43:30 +0000

The Zildjian company is the oldest family owned business in the United States, tracing its origin back to Turkey in the year 1623. The company was established in America in Quincy, Mass. in 1929 by Aram Zildjian who perfected the art of cymbal manufacturing. Now after many years of making some of the finest cymbals in the world, company is coming up on its 400th birthday. The 14th generation of the Zildjian continue to operate the famous percussion supplier at their headquarters and factory in Norwell, Massachusetts.

As you will learn below, Zildjian invented most of the modern day drum kit cymbals like the hi-hat, crash, splash and ride cymbals, and famously supplied drummers like Jazz legends Gene Krupa, Max Roach and Buddy Rich. Zildjian was also used by the immensely talented and crazy technical drummer Neil Peart of Rush for most of his career.

Bonus: Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich drum battle

Managed Expectations | ACL Shop Update

Michael Williams — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:45:02 +0000

ACL & Co. bags...

Dearest ACL brethren,

The plan all along has been to launch the ACL Shop this fall, something I have been saying for months now. Well in the interest of quelling the impatient messages and comments (everyone is asking me everyday), I feel it important to set the record straight. THE ACL SHOP IS GOING LIVE ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2009. This of course, barring force majeure. The shop will be offering a limited selection of goods under the ACL & Co. label, plus collaboration items from a few other designers (which will be announced on the 23rd). The selection will be minimal at first with new goods coming in every month for the next several months.

Those of you in New York City on November 20th – 22nd will have the option of getting first crack at the ACL Shop merchandise at the Pop Up Flea. I look forward to seeing you then!

The Multidimensional Michael Hainey

Michael Williams — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:30:15 +0000

One day after work a week or so ago, I headed down to Thom Browne’s store on Hudson Street for the first time in my life. I never bothered to visit the boutique because I knew too well that I would never look even reasonably good in Mr. Browne’s clothing. What finally drew me to the stark mid-century space was a solo exhibition of artwork by Mr. Michael Hainey. The show, entitled Less Human/More Being, is the culmination of Hainey’s (who serves as deputy editor of GQ) development as a painter. He puts it best in a recent post on GQ.com. “I went through a long wrestling match with myself: You can’t paint. Who do you think you are? But I kept seeing my poem—“How I Learned to Pray”—as a painting. Finally one night I said, ‘Enough! This may be crazy, but I have to make this painting.’ I went out, bought the canvas and the paint, and locked the door. That was the beginning.”

The twenty-seven pieces on display speak to Michael’s creative talents as both a writer and an artist. Sometimes life requires what I like to call a nice dose of fuck it to do what you really want to do with your life. Cheers to Mr. Hainey for having the guts to go off on a limb and try something new. Consider me impressed.

More of the works can be seen via GQ here.

Less Human/ More Being | through November 30th at the Thom Browne store | 100 Hudson Street (Nr. Franklin Street)

photos: Elissa Wiehn / GQ

North Carolina Delights | Cheerwine

Michael Williams — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:51:57 +0000

Speaking of regional delicacies, meet Cheerwine. The super bubbly cherry soda from Salisbury, North Carolina is the perfect companion for a hot summer day or a trip the your favorite BBQ spot. In fact, Manhattanites rejoice, Cheerwine is available at Brother Jimmy’s and I’m sure a few other locations throughout the city. The delicious soft drink lays a serious ass whoopin’ on Cherry Coke, and I don’t even ever drink Pepsi products so whatever they make that is cherry flavored probably isn’t as good as Cheerwine either.

Incidentally, some regional Pepsi bottlers make and distribute Cheerwine. Anyway, the real gem of the product line is the bottled variety made from — you guessed it — real sugar. Do yourself a favor and pick up a case or ten. (Don’t live in the South and want a case of Cheerwine? The company offers a mail order service. Boom!) While your at it, hit the running store for some new sneaks, you’re gonna need ‘em.

The Cheerwine building in Salisbury, NC. No longer the company's offices but it still boasts a nice sign.

Photo one via Cakeight, photo two via, Photo three via Erin T .

The Goodness That is Biscuitville

Michael Williams — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:23:19 +0000

A Biscuitville near Greensboro, North Carolina.

The thing that makes homogenization work is that it makes people comfortable; you can go to Starbucks in Chicago or Dubai and it will basically be the same thing. While this can be soulless and depressing, it can also come in handy. A hungover breakfast in Tokyo for instance (#eggmcmuffintime). But I also love to discover the regional spots that have yet to fully conquer the landscape. In Ohio this manifests itself in the form of Bob Evans. This past weekend I was in North Carolina and couldn’t miss the always delicious and still privately held regional chain Biscuitville. To me, Biscuitville is the Southern breakfast equivalent of the West coast burger mecca In-N-Out. The biscuit making began in 1966 as a way for founder Maurice Jennings (who owned a Pizza chain called — wait for it — Pizzaville) to do a breakfast business. In 1975 the first full time biscuit operation opened in Danville, Virginia and Biscuitville was born. The rest is history.

Awww love you too Biscuitville.

Some folks stopped by for a post-church biscuit, an all together different religious experience.

Delicious “made from scratch” every 20 minutes right there in front of you, Biscuitville is a tasty destination for anyone visiting North Carolina. The chain (which is at about 52 locations) opens at 6am (now 5am) and closes at 2pm. It serves all sorts of wonderful biscuit-based breakfast food. Go for a fried chicken biscuit and a sweet tea and you will thank me. Shit, everything on the menu is great and terrible for you. Good thing I only go once or twice a year.

Aforementioned fried chicken biscuit on the right was mighty tasty.

Funny, I do need to trade a few guns, thanks Biscuitville bulletin board. Also, anyone know a good cardiologist?

The Scout Video | The Craftsmen of Billykirk

Michael Williams — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:59:13 +0000

The Billykirk offices are in a converted warehouse on Bay Street in Jersey City, NJ. The space is filled with all sorts of old industrial equipment (that actually gets used in making their products) and tons of Billykirk gear that is either on its way to the Amish folks that make the goods or to some of America’s best stores. Another thing you will notice in the office is all of the great looking artwork that Kirk Bray creates in his free time. If you go by the studio on a normal workday (much like I did yesterday), the brothers Chris and Kirk Bray will kindly welcome you and then proceed to talk your ear off. It is a good thing though, always interesting and inspiring and they will never let you leave empty handed. With its new video series The Scout shares some of the magic that makes the Billykirk guys great artisans and equally great people. The video is an enjoyable watch and it sets a high standard. Congrats to the Billykirk fellas and also to Tom Ran and the folks behind The Scout. Well played indeed.