american apparel on flatbush

An American Apparel store is opening on Flatbush b/w Sterling and Park Place. It's not a locally owned store, but at least it's made in the USA and w/o sweatshop labor:

http://www.americanapparel.net/mission/

Subject: Re: american apparel on flatbush

Oh man. I hate that store and their whole softcore porn advertising shtick. Not to mention that the guy who runs the company is a pervert being sued by his employees for sexual harassment. Let's not even go into the fact that it's overpriced also.

rossmelanie wrote: An American Apparel store is opening on Flatbush b/w Sterling and Park Place. It's not a locally owned store, but at least it's made in the USA and w/o sweatshop labor:

http://www.americanapparel.net/mission/

I like the stuff.

Subject: Re: american apparel on flatbush

rossmelanie wrote: An American Apparel store is opening on Flatbush b/w Sterling and Park Place. It's not a locally owned store, but at least it's made in the USA and w/o sweatshop labor:

http://www.americanapparel.net/mission/

Their stuff is really cool. I like the fact they sell shirts and items that are simply sized properly. Nowadays too many t-shirts and other items are ALWAYS oversized and look schleppy.

And I admire any place that promotes non-thong underwear. Please. No more thongs.

But their stuff seems to be marketed like a hipster version of Abecrombie & Fitch (ie: "SEX! Now that we have your attention, here's a t-shirt..."). And hey, I'll readilly admit I'm more into the American Apparel style ethos than A&F anyday.

For those who don't know, founder Dov Charney is mixed into a sexual harassment suit from former employees:

"Among the allegations: using crude language and gestures, conducting job interviews in his underwear, ordering the hiring of women in whom he had a sexual interest and giving one of the plaintiffs a vibrator."

More info at the New York Times.

And, while the whole ethos of American Apparel is about treating the workers well, Dov Charney seems hellbent in avoiding unionization of his workers at all costs. More at In These Times.

There are worse places to patronize. But they are not as 100% benevolent as their marketing would proclaim.

Subject: Q

hmm... i am trying to picture that block in my head. is there a vacany storefront there? i can't think of one. who's moving out?

Subject: Re: american apparel on flatbush

Jack wrote: Their stuff is really cool. I like the fact they sell shirts and items that are simply sized properly. Nowadays too many t-shirts and other items are ALWAYS oversized and look schleppy.

Ugh, even their stuff is too big for me. XS? Heard of it? But I digress.

I agree that for a place that basically sells itself as being non-evil, it is a little bit too evil.

I started carrying a wonderful, non-sweat shop, garment washed line of tees called "Alternative Apparel", after reading aobut American Apparel's owners "disposition". Not into supporting the harrassment thing at work. {been there}. :x

Subject: Re: american apparel on flatbush

EmilyM wrote: Ugh, even their stuff is too big for me. XS? Heard of it? But I digress.

Isn't that the clothing equivalent of a 'childs size' soda at the movies that is actually a normal sized portion?

I wear medium sized shirts... Depending on who makes the shirt... And what style I get...

Dang, I miss the days of it simply being simple to get a t-shirt and jeans.

sje wrote: I started carrying a wonderful, non-sweat shop, garment washed line of tees called "Alternative Apparel", after reading aobut American Apparel's owners "disposition". Not into supporting the harrassment thing at work. {been there}. :x

I just went to Alternative Apparel's website. They seem quite good and a great alternative to American Apparel. But I was greeted by the following:


(NOTE: If for some reason that picture doen't appear, it's a 20-something woman in a green shirt with the words 'COP A FEEL' overlayed.)

Odd choice of words all things considered.

I don't know which storefront on Flatbush. I went to a store in Toronto this weekend, and wanted to see where their stores were here. I don't care if they advertise in that A&F kind of way... they have great soft t-shirts that don't cost a fortune.

I don't know why people are so surprised about the ongoing lawsuit. With an ad campaign like that, someone up high is a pervert. Don't get me wrong....I like the ads! But, you had to know... :twisted:

I don't know why people like this store so much, most of the clothing is poorly made considering the price. Hold a t-shirt up the the light and you can almost see through it.

I guess they're trying to emphasize the softness of the garment washing process, Jack. {sigh}. Wish they had choosen a less suggestive method. I'm really tired of softcore advertising.

Tissue-weight cotton jersey is a wonderful thing, come by and see {through} it yourself!

I find the quality of their clothes to be shoddy, at best. I bought a few polo type shirts - within 2 or 3 washings, the buttons had started to fall off and holes began to appear in the fabric. And they're over-priced.

i bought quite a few of their shirts this summer. they were so cute, but all the hems have come undone. no biggie, i have a sewing machine...but yeah.. a bit of a pain.

also once i found out about the sex harassment, i had to stop buying there. like someone said earlier, for a company that bills itself as "ethical" its SO incredibly shady. he runs that place like burt reynolds would run a bordello. it just BOGGLES my mind, his company is taking us back 20-30...40 years maybe? so skeevy. i hope they fold.

Hey, so the store is opening up at 314 Flatbush. I did a little searching, and that was the address of the old movie theater on Flatbush. What will happen to Van Helsing!

JoshB wrote: Hey, so the store is opening up at 314 Flatbush. I did a little searching, and that was the address of the old movie theater on Flatbush. What will happen to Van Helsing!

Aw man, I was hoping another theater would open. Although when we saw Lord of the Rings there, it was a relatively hellish experience.

JoshB wrote: Hey, so the store is opening up at 314 Flatbush. I did a little searching, and that was the address of the old movie theater on Flatbush. What will happen to Van Helsing!

no! what next, starbucks & the gap!??

JoshB wrote: Hey, so the store is opening up at 314 Flatbush. I did a little searching, and that was the address of the old movie theater on Flatbush. What will happen to Van Helsing!

I thought that sports club took over that space for their pool or whatever?

I think the pool will be in the upstairs of the space and the store will be on the ground floor?

bluedove wrote: Aw man, I was hoping another theater would open. Although when we saw Lord of the Rings there, it was a relatively hellish experience.

Hellish, smellish the Flatbush Pavillion was a great theater. Yes, people talked during the film and at the film. But if you saw the right movie there, it was awesome!

Saw the Harrison Ford remake of 'The Fugitive' there and when he jumped off of the dam and into the river and a woman in the theater shouted: 'That's it! He's dead!!!!', memorable ever.

Right next to that was the time Subway Cinema had an 'Old School Kung Fu Fest' a few weeks after I came back to NYC. They had films showing at the Flatbush Pavillion and seeing Crippled Avengers with a crowd that was totally into it--and shouting at the screen--was one of the best movie experiences in my life.

Dov Charney's messing with a legend. Another theater bites the dust!

Too bad they arent opening a Brooklyn Industries. I love that store.... :P

11238 wrote: Too bad they arent opening a Brooklyn Industries. I love that store.... :P

What about 'Something Else'? Or 'Neighborhoodies'?

Call me an old hipster coot who still remembers having to go to Canal Jean on Broadway for such things, but I'm really baffled by the amount of designer t-shirt/jean/sneaker stores that have opened in Brooklyn South this past year. Is there that much demand?

11238 wrote: Too bad they arent opening a Brooklyn Industries.

Brooklyn Industries = Hipster GAP

brooklyn industries is on 5th and union.

tk was me! wrote: brooklyn industries is on 5th and union.

And in Brooklyn Heights, and in Cobble Hill and in...anyone?

I think BI is a bit different then the GAP or Banana Republic. At least they don't have a store on every corner.

Jack wrote: Call me an old hipster coot who still remembers having to go to Canal Jean on Broadway for such things, but I'm really baffled by the amount of designer t-shirt/jean/sneaker stores that have opened in Brooklyn South this past year. Is there that much demand?

Canal Jean...yes! I was completely floored when they replaced it with a Bloomingdales of all things! Anyways, I did too wonder what was the deal with all these "lifestyle" shops. Then I thought about all the luxury apartments cropping up and remember that those types have to shop somewhere. What better way to live in a $2800 Williamsburg apartment than with $175 jeans and $250 custom dunks!

11238 wrote: I think BI is a bit different then the GAP or Banana Republic. At least they don't have a store on every corner.

do you mean, not yet? have you seen the BI on south 6th (or so?) in the 11211?! crazy out of place.... plus there is one just up on bedford, i believe.

Jack wrote: [quote=bluedove]Aw man, I was hoping another theater would open. Although when we saw Lord of the Rings there, it was a relatively hellish experience.

Hellish, smellish the Flatbush Pavillion was a great theater. Yes, people talked during the film and at the film. But if you saw the right movie there, it was awesome!

Saw the Harrison Ford remake of 'The Fugitive' there and when he jumped off of the dam and into the river and a woman in the theater shouted: 'That's it! He's dead!!!!', memorable ever.

Right next to that was the time Subway Cinema had an 'Old School Kung Fu Fest' a few weeks after I came back to NYC. They had films showing at the Flatbush Pavillion and seeing Crippled Avengers with a crowd that was totally into it--and shouting at the screen--was one of the best movie experiences in my life.

Dov Charney's messing with a legend. Another theater bites the dust!

Hey, I was heartbroken when it went under and all, and I wanted it to be a theater again...but I do hate it when people talk during movies, I'm sorry. Can't help that it annoys me. Especially when they are not in fact talking ABOUT the movie, but rather paying ten bucks to run around in the dark and socialize, which is what seemed to be going on during LOTR. I still would have gone back there regularly if it hadn't closed, though.

vanilla wrote: [quote=11238]I think BI is a bit different then the GAP or Banana Republic. At least they don't have a store on every corner.

do you mean, not yet? have you seen the BI on south 6th (or so?) in the 11211?! crazy out of place.... plus there is one just up on bedford, i believe.

OK, I only thought there were two.... shame on me!