Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
A good point was brought up. Is the mobile video store cool for the actual neighbors? The mobile video store does park outside of an office building’s parking lot, but I did see it outside of someone’s house earlier. The area is fairly dense, and I guess the area is used to foot traffic as it is, since people come and go from parking spots to Sawtelle. I find this guy wanting to stay low key, so I think he’s cool. But like everything else, it’s ok somewhere else, just not at, or, or near your house. Here’s some examples of shit you don’t mind far away, graffiti, dude selling fruit on the street, homeless dude taking shits, name it, almost everything fits. Doesn’t it? The new issue is out, GR43. Hope you like it.
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Part 18 – Guerilla business person case study. On Sawtelle, there was this video store. It had a crappy sign, looked messy, but was packed with tapes. His clients didn’t give a shit how or where they parked, as long as they could get in and out with returns and new flicks. He must have had the hard to find Japanese shows. Black Market store who’s next door (loves to talk shit about GR we always hear) took over his spot and opened a sneaker store. With his spot gone, I figured he was over. I was wrong. Instead of hunting around for an overpriced shop, the owner went guerilla and opened on the streets. See the camper in the photo? From a lot of angles, it looks like someone’s in there chillin, but actually, it’s the video store! Walking by, I saw some tapes from the front window. I was wondering who the heck was living among tapes, but the backdoor was open, and I saw dvd’s hanging on the walls and a person inside shuffling through titles. The dvd shop owner was standing in the doorway of his ride. Keeping his clientele, moving just a block or two down, keeping on the d.l., and paying no rent (he had this camper already), I’m impressed by this dude. He’s using the basic money making pricinples of making people happy by providing a service, making a buck, and doing it DIY. Too Short supposedly got his start by selling his tapes and singles from his car trunk, tons of people make cash from recycling people’s junk, and this dude, we’ll see where he goes and how long he lasts. It’s obvious to me, that he’s got his game down. I saw people driving up, parking, renting, and taking off while I sat and took the photo. My questions are: How did he spread the word that he’d be parked in a certain area? Did he call his client list and tell them? Is there an email network going on? When did he start this neighborhood thing? (My guess is right away). Is it working for him? (Obviously does). Trouble? (He’s renting tapes from his car. I’m sure it’s not legal, but in the end, this is totally cool and innocuous). It’s not much different than “those” people who do weekly garage sale, right? I wish there was more of this guerilla stuff going on in our area. I remember this shop when it was on Sawtelle, and thinking it was old school, a great service, but maybe not fitting in the area as a store front. Now, he’s my hero for the minute. File this guy under punk rock.
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Charles Chocolates are awesome. The chocolate covered almonds are kicking my ass right now. Huge sized almonds, good crunch, and the chocolate around it works. Made in San Francisco, I feel good about the future of chocolates.
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When I’m too up, down, or sideways, the Buddha Machine takes care of everything. In the office, when we’re typing away, figuring out our next plans, or eating a burrito, the soothing sounds of the machine kicks in. There’s nine tones and one switch that toggles through the tunes. I prefer the slower, dreamy ones over the faster. I’m actually Buddhist, and I’m not sure if this has anything to do with Buddhism, except it might put you in the mood to sit lotus style and chant mantras. It’s the anti ipod (as seen in gr43). It has almost no control, no addable songs, no beats, no computer hookups, and makes no friends. It was the hit of the Comicon. Indie comics artists came by and bought a bunch. That’s our crew. Currently watching: LOST Season 1 box set and making Sculpey sculptures.
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Look out for the late but not too late Giant Robot podcasts. They’re the latter two gr42 podcasts. GR42 music GR42 uglydoll GR42 ronny yu
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