Upon telling friends that a buddy of mine opened a store on Delancey at Bowery, I believe the quip was, "is it a Jimmy Jazz franchise?" Lol guys, lol.


A Silent Flute: Were Consortiums a movie marathon, what would the line up be?

Andre Munoz: Basketball Diaries, Kids, Fresh, Mo' Better Blues, After Hours, Downtown 81, Manhattan, and Panic in Needle Park.

[Here's a YouTube compilation of some of the choicest cuts from these flicks - ed.]

If you could borrow some artwork for the store, what pieces would you bring in?

Claes Oldenburg's Giant Soft Fan from the MoMa, Four Colors Four Words by Joseph Kosuth which is at the Hirshorn in DC, Andy Warhol and Basquiat's Felix The Cat which was at Van De Weghe last year I think, and then James Rosenquist I Love You With My Ford from the Guggenheim.





What's your criteria for store stock?

I look for brands or products that have their own identity - when you can identify a button down shirt, a graphic tee, or piece of art just by looking at it. I think that's a problem with today's market, too many duplicates without their own identity. They get lost in the endless amount of brands. When a customer says "oh, that looks like so and so," that's when you've lost them.

What're we going to see in the store over the summer?

Great polo shirts and button-downs from Well Played, Amazing women's button-downs from Sibel Saral, simple graphic t-shirts from Procede, $18 shoes and great vintage high end designer pieces.

You're across from The Bowery Ballroom - favorite bands?

Liquid liquid, ESG, James White and The Blacks, A Certain Ratio, Delta 5 - just some of the bands that I would want to hear at The Ballroom.

What's good to eat in the neighborhood these days?

El Castillo De Jagua - amazing and really affordable Spanish food that's been in the neighborhood for years . Vanessa's Dumpling is cheap and pretty decent, and then Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop, for the Big Mack Daddy, one of the best burgers I've ever tasted.

The retail landscape in the city is changing fairly quickly these days. You know the lay of the land well, what do you make of it?

Well, I'm not happy to see anyone go. It's very difficult to start a business and keep it going strong. The way the economy is shaping up, it's getting rid of the waste and excess. It can't be all about milking whatever trend is hot for now. I think it's really going to rely on how smart a business plan is, and that will really show once we're out of this recession.