First off, I'd like to wish the other meg out there in blogland a happy birthday. I got a birthday greeting from Lena that was intended for you!
You know...in the last couple weeks, the feeling around here is the indie retail scene is about to go through a big change especially with talk of folks about to open or looking to open a shop in the Bay Area. I guess the problem with that is now shopowners really have to think about how to stand out from the crowd. As with everything else, it seems all that it takes is a good, solid concept--and above all, a solid commitment to it. Shopowners are equally curators now, especially with the rise of theme-based stores that change their entire look and/or inventory every few months. Stores that have been very successful with that concept are Rose+Radish and Kiosk. (Both Kate and Alisa have such keen curatorial eyes.) With the saturation of design, the proliferation of blogs, and increasingly discerning tastes, it seems like it takes more now to get the indie buying public really excited.
With that in mind...through the Kiosk blog, I learned of this shop in Berlin called Kwikshop. Now, this is a killer store concept and storefront: indie design meets dairy queen style vending. Oh man, they should sell milkshakes, too!
Kwikshop kind of reminds me of that Butter Vending Machine back at the ICFF in 2003. You know, the same design-on-the-go feeling, but with a human face.
Oh, since I seem to be going down this road--talking about high store concepts mixed with low end fast-food selling devices--check out the Blends store at the Lab in Costa Mesa (south of LA). It's a sneaker store with a very simple layout and merchandising plan: the shoes are displayed on recessed shelves cased by glass freezer doors like the ones you'd see at a 7-Eleven convenience store. I didn't have a camera when I went there, but you can see a bit of it through this image below from the Lab's website.
Ok, so...someone's done the Dairy Queen, 7-11, and vending machine thing...I guess all that's missing is a store with a take out menu or a drive-through window...or if we want to be eco-friendly: a bike-through window!
Anyway, I can't wait to see the shops that open up in the coming months. Hopefully they will offer us something that will get us really excited!
Wow! That certainly is up there with online shopping for convenience! I live right by the Lab in Costa Mesa. I will have to check that out!
Posted by: FurnitureFromHome.com | July 25, 2007 at 12:10 PM
I am so happy you blogged this Meg, I'm bookmarking it right now! I'll be in Berlin in September/Oct so this is perfect.
Posted by: decor8 holly | July 25, 2007 at 08:26 PM
It's fate! I read your post about Kwikshop yesterday, and then by some fluke I found an amazing deal to Berlin. So I bought the ticket! I'll be sure to post more cool finds upon my return: www.pretavoyager.blogspot.com
Posted by: Anne | August 10, 2007 at 05:46 AM
It's so lucky for me to find your blog! So shocking and great! Just one suggestion: It will be better and easier to follow if your blog can offer rrs subscription service.
Posted by: Air Jordan sale | January 27, 2010 at 06:23 PM
First off all i got to say is wow!!!! Join us to start sharing your reviews, news about fashion styles in killersneakers.com。very cool! Fashionalbe and nice looking, throught the videos, it's very funny indeed!
Posted by: jordan shoes | April 26, 2010 at 11:02 PM