Thanks to Kyle Crawley for giving our store a write up in Nightlife Magazine (based out of Montreal).

“Just two blocks away, junkies shoot up, runaway carts clutter the alleys and aggressive panhandlers hunt you down. Within arms reach of glamour lurk the schizophrenic, wretched and conveniently overlooked. That’s the way it is in Gastown. Despite such glaring impediments, co-owner Alex Usow, of the new hip-hop clothing store Shark and Hammers, smiles and boasts, “I’m glad to be here. This neighbourhood is changing.”¹ Those seeking the newest in urban street fashion and accessories from around the world, but also from local graffiti and graphic artists, should be happy he’s there too. Sharks and Hammers emerged in the area with a soft launch back in September, when turquoise plaid flannel button-ups and denim jackets from Mishka, Halley Mei² “My Name Is” medallions, hot-knife logo tees, pre-Gameboy hand-held video games like BLIP, ‘90s-looking ski jackets and various other hip-hop paraphernalia found their way onto the shelves. Fresh on the heels of their Oct. 19 grand opening, Sharks and Hammers’ own clothing line is serving it up fresh, with splashy tees, and making its way into cut and sew items for both men and women—all wrapped up in unique, deli-tray packaging. The label is also collaborating with artists like Ben Tour, The Park³, Peter Taylor and our famous local, Virus, for custom, limited edition pieces in the street/hip-hop vein. Vying with the negative forces surrounding them, owners Usow and Mark Brand acknowledge that they are in the difficult, yet beautiful “heart of the city.” As destitution gives way to entrepreneurship and visions of success, shops like Sharks and Hammers are returning Gastown to its modern, ambitious and forward-looking beginnings.⁴”

1. We’re actually glad to be here because it’s the best part of Vancouver, it’s historic, has character and great buildings which are old and not made out of glass. Change is good but hood is hood. [↩]
2. Haley Mei [↩]
3. The Dark, actually) [↩]
4. Again, thanks Kyle, much appreciated [↩]

- Posted by Rhek