A Tribute to our First PURVEYR Post

Back in May 2017, we hosted the launch event for the PURVEYR Magazine Collaboration Issue at The Hub in Escolta, Manila. During the event, Mong Feliciano of KLTRD and Indio of Slick Barbers Co. suddenly approached me to express an idea, “What if you turn your Bangkal office to a retail space?” Our office was situated on the ground floor of 1403 Apolinario St., Bangkal then. A year prior, I actually pondered on the same idea — I approached Indio in September of 2016 for a barbershop and retail concept but for a different space, so the conversation was definitely timely. This time, however, it felt more feasible with some help.

The conversation reignited my enthusiasm for retail, so in true PURVEYR fashion, we headed out to do another project we’re not well-equipped for. I worked in retail for a couple of months before, but other than that, I knew so little about it. But haircuts and clothing seemed like an easier sell than a print magazine — the previous year’s big project — so I thought, what could go wrong?

Recap Video of the Official Store Launch in 2017

The Bangkal neighborhood is not your ideal location for an unconventional retail concept. It is a typical small and close-knit community in Makati that’s outside CBD and high-end areas — think of Poblacion devoid of gentrification. To make it worse, unconventional retail concepts don’t even survive in high traffic areas or malls, so we were definitely going in with a handicap.

“In the world of street culture and anti-mainstream logic the retail + barbershop idea thrives, so why can’t we do it as well?” I reckoned. So we pushed on. I understood that we had a supportive and growing community just like that of the local brands we will carry, so it shouldn’t be too hard to make it work.

Interiors and exterior of PURVEYR Post Bangkal

So in August 2017, we soft-opened the first ever 19sqm. PURVEYR Post featuring various local brands on the retail side and SBCo on the barbershop side. The retail team was composed of me, Sara Martinez, Kevien Medina as the store associate, and Mong Feliciano as the store supervisor. We would eventually hire a couple of store interns as well — Raniel Moraleta, Elijah Vedder, Mhar Udarbe and Pao Carandang — who worked in different periods of the store.

The idea felt progressive — (correct me if I’m wrong) we were the only media brand who had a retail concept in the country. It also felt like it was working — the first year was successful. And because of that, we explored the idea to expand to broaden our selection. PURVEYR caters to a diverse set of influences and cultures, and this philosophy needed to live within the PURVEYR Post concept as well. So when the right opportunity showed itself, we opened PURVEYR Post Poblacion in December of 2018.

Photo from PURVEYR Post Bangkal Store Launch and PURVEYR 5th Anniversary in 2017

However, in business, not having proper infrastructure and focus can be detrimental to its success even if the demand is there. Most of 2019 was tough for our retail concepts. Even though the first store in Bangkal established itself as a community spot, the sales declined. While Poblacion is widely known as the “cool and rising” independent neighborhood of Manila, it is only populated from 10PM until the wee hours with little to no interest in retail stores. All these issues pushed us to the edge. We love our retail spaces, but something has to give.

Photos from PURVEYR Post Bangkal Anniversary and PURVEYR 6th Anniversary in 2018

Here’s an excerpt that I found very timely from the book, This is not a T-shirt by Bobby Hundreds.

“What was their (brick-and-mortar stores) central purpose — was it sales or marketing? While we calculated, Ben put an immediate hold on any new The Hundreds storefronts. Although we were in the green in our L.A., San Francisco, and New York stores, and they were providing a sanctuary for our kids, they were also sapping us of overhead dollars: rising rent in gentrifying neighborhoods, staffing and maintenance, store-exclusive product, events, and so on. More critically, our stores drained us of emotional energy. We were spread so thin between all our endeavors (a quarterly print magazine, YouTube series, and international distribution) that we strained to circle back to our shops.”

Recap Video of PURVEYR Post Bangkal Anniversary and PURVEYR 6th Anniversary in 2018

I understand how much the store meant to some people. It became a hangout and meet-up place for like-minded individuals — a true community of some sort. So it’s really saddening to close its doors knowing that we are taking away a “home” from loyal customers, local supporters, and most of all, friends. However, to keep PURVEYR in good shape, we had to make the difficult decision — close down PURVEYR Post Bangkal to focus our energy in growing PURVEYR as a multi-dimensional media brand.

You may be wondering, “Why share all these just to announce the closing of the store?” Because I’d like for you to use this as a lesson for your own pursuits. A sort of vicarious experience of failure without actually losing anything. All businesses will experience loss of money, stagnant growth, and other types of failures, so never be afraid to take the risk. Everyone has their fair share of opportunities and misfortunes, it’s how you deal with them that matters. For us, this is not about giving up on our dream of a thriving PURVEYR Post, this is giving us a better chance to effectively mold our concept and ourselves to bring it to even greater heights.

We’d like to invite you on November 9, 2019 from 5-10pm as we celebrate the last day of the store. Hang out with us. We’re having all PURVEYR items on sale, and beers are on us. Visit us at 1403 Apolinario St., Bangkal, Makati City