pdmtong
05-08-2011, 02:29 PM
It's a well designed place that opened Thursday. And, lucky for me, literally half a block down the street from where my wife grew up and where my mother-in-law still lives (hi mom, uh, I'll be back in an hour). My wife was visiting her grandmother (who also lives down the street) on Friday, saw this weird vehicle and stopped in. I got to stop by saturday with my wife and daughter prior to family function.
It's got a library, a gallery, great coffee, big screens (on the wall to the left but not shown in the picture with the tablel), a cool vibe and of course all the goods, mens womens, city, paul smith. Tried on the $550 sportcoat (clever design) and some of the paul smith goodies. Biggest surprise was the new pro team goods are really nice - welded seams, great materials, this is not your sportwool rapha.
Seeing the "full range" in one place was cool. There are also two LBS near me that are part of the limited US in-store dealer group for Rapha so I've had a chance to see most things in person. Of course the brand generates a lot of emotion but I have to say that price aside, they offer some really clever pieces.
Never liked the tourmalet jersey on the web - seeing it in person confirmed that for me.
Folks working there (one has a RSL, which would be another thing to see) are very welcoming and if I could, I'd love to see some of the big stages in there with a bunch of other fans instead of by myself at 4:30am PST at home.
Was the place epic? Yes...it was pretty epic.
It's got a library, a gallery, great coffee, big screens (on the wall to the left but not shown in the picture with the tablel), a cool vibe and of course all the goods, mens womens, city, paul smith. Tried on the $550 sportcoat (clever design) and some of the paul smith goodies. Biggest surprise was the new pro team goods are really nice - welded seams, great materials, this is not your sportwool rapha.
Seeing the "full range" in one place was cool. There are also two LBS near me that are part of the limited US in-store dealer group for Rapha so I've had a chance to see most things in person. Of course the brand generates a lot of emotion but I have to say that price aside, they offer some really clever pieces.
Never liked the tourmalet jersey on the web - seeing it in person confirmed that for me.
Folks working there (one has a RSL, which would be another thing to see) are very welcoming and if I could, I'd love to see some of the big stages in there with a bunch of other fans instead of by myself at 4:30am PST at home.
Was the place epic? Yes...it was pretty epic.