STORE FEATURE + INTERVIEW - "ALREADY FAMOUS"

Looks like ATTIC got a full makeover after their Spring Cleaning sale last weekend - which left the store in full chaos: mountains of tees (unfolded of course) & denim spread all over (unfolded of course) - you know, the full effect and signs of a pretty good sale.In an attempt to add a little flair for your reading pleasure, I've decided to spotlight the store, to get a little 411 about the history and its features - after all, who else can provide clean streetwear prior to hitting up Knott's right across the street?

Matt Barrera held it down for ATTIC and spilled the beans.

LJ: Thanks Matt, for taking the time to do this interview. First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at the ATTIC

MB: 19 year old college student, as Biggie says it "money, hoes and clothes" cept im respectable of women. As far as ATTIC is concerned, you can say I'm a "shoe salesman" but I also sweep, fold, and do recent arrival blog entries

LJ: All around man right there. How'd you get hooked up with this job at such a dope streetwear store, right next to Knotts?

MB: Networking, people knowing people knowing people. Lets just say I know alot of people

LJ: Dang...people's man right here. When and how did ATTIC get started, and what's the history behind it? Who's THA BOSS?

MB: The idea started in mid 2006. With little boutiques in the surrounding area of Orange County, and the long trek to L.A. to get your fashion fix, it only seemed right to set up a one-stop "mega-streetwear-boutique" smack dab in the middle of the southland AKA Buena Park. Lets just say a certian TV/movie star is responsible for the store. hint. YouTube T-Mobile poser mobile.
The conveyor belt serving up fresh kicks daily:LJ: Is it The Attic or Attic2Zoo?

MB: It's ATTIC, just ATTIC, no need for the THE. Attic2zoo has a few meanings. A to Z, meaning we have everything from A to Z. Also, attic.com was already taken

LJ: Haha, for sure. So what makes ATTIC different from any other streetwear store out there? What's the ATTIC specialty????

MB: Other than saving you the time, effort, and gas to travel from, lets say, a store that only sells tees, a store that only sells denim, and a store that only sells shoes, we're all-in-one. And everything is retail price, none of this marking up bullshit that other shops pull. Oh, did i mention, 8000 square feet of streetwear?! Yea, I dont think anyone else can compete with that. Specialty? Well, lets just say that we specialize in suiting you up right.

Wall o' Nike:Alife/Kid Robot:New arrivals corner:Creative Recreation, Reebok, Adidas, Converse, Puma Wall:East Coast representin' with Mishka, King Stampede, 10.deep, Rocksmith, Lemar & Dauley:Full line of Nudie Jeans:LJ: Word, what do you see as hot sellers for this spring? And I guess, what are your personal favorite brands?

MB: Spring is gonna be crazy. Foreign Family's sprummer line is gonna kill, their re-release of their classic designs and their new denim is just gonna kill. Acrylick is always a consistent heavy hitter. As well as the big dogs Crooks & Castles, The Hundreds, Rogue Status and Kid Robot. My favorite brands as of late are The Hundreds, Foreign Family, Fuct, Franco Shade and PEOPLE WITH AGENDAS.

Crooks & Casles Corner:Kid Robot/10.deep:LJ: Sweet, Franco Shade is a good one. Any news for the girls line? What can the ladies expect to suit up in a fresh new outfit for spring?

MB: Definitely, I mean, what would this world be without women. Stussy is a staple in the industry as well as MAMA and Hellz just for LJ. Also, expect denim in the lines of Nudies and Cheap Monday for girls. and WESC debuting at ATTIC.

Ladies we in the hoouuuse:LJ: Ya'll need to get some DimePiece and Claw Money though. I'll be waiting....but thanks for the looks on that. Any guest appearances at the store so far?

MB: We have our resident celebrity Justin Chon who starred in Just Jordan on Nickelodeon and the upcoming film Crossing Over. Other notable appearances are Glasses Malone, J-Kwon, the kid from the Nutty Professor, Yuri Tag of Kaba Modern on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (good luck guys), and last but not least, ME!. JK.

LJ: Tight Tight...What valuable things have you learned working at ATTIC, and in this streetwear business?

MB: Always treat the customer as if they were the one's signing your check, everyone's trying to start a line to be the next Jonas of LRG. 75% of the designs most companies use are either recycled, stolen or have been legally altered 20% so they wont get sued.

LJ: Awesome!! Good to know..What brands do you wanna see collaborate together in the near future, or I guess, recycle designs together?

MB: Two of my favorite brands are Vans and Foreign Family, im gonna have to kill you after this but take this as a hint *wink*.

LJ: Hush hush talk - don't worry I won't tell anyone. Alright, I'm gonna get to know you on a deeper level now, you ready?

MB: Born ready

LJ: What do you do in your free time, and favorite hotspots of the moment? (BESIDES WORK)

MB: Theres no such thing as free time nowadays. But when I do have time to kill, I play the piano, clean my shoes/shoe laces, steal music, play tetris on my MacBook in class. hotspots? Gotta give a shout out to the biggest duo in Los Angeles... Pho 2000 and Lolicup. Give me a no. 1 at Pho, and large milk tea w/ mini boba at Lolicup and im set. LOL

LJ: Boba fiend right here, it's all about Dolphin Bay 2 for $2.50 suckaaa. Too much Pho is too much MSG, be careful. Anyway..Favorite artist/band/musical group of the moment?

MB: Being filipino, the given is Kanye, but I'm 25% Chinese so Kanye is OK w/ me. But im into old school shit. ATCQ, Pharcyde, Earth Wind and Fire, Weezer, Sublime, Procussions, Nas, Atmosphere, Alicia Keys....also Nujabes

LJ: Good shit. Favorite alcoholic drink?

MB: Adios muthafucka, haha, jk. Im straight w/ a Heineken

LJ: Haha, alright well I think this interview is wearing you out by now, any last shoutouts or advertisement before we wrap it up?

MB: To my Lola in heaven R.I.P. i'll see you when i get there. PWA, everyone at ATTIC. CARSON STAND UP! and to LJ for taking up an hour of my time.. jk

LJ: Wow, you'll be thanking me for this in a cool minute. or two. Alright thanks Matt, you are one cool cat who lives in the ATTIC. I'll be stopping by again shortly.

MB: I'll be waiting for the fanmail

LJ: Where's the contact info, if the ladies wanna come holler??

MB: MySpace.com/justdonikes, mbarrera06@gmail.com, est-1988.blogspot.com,
Hit him up, ladies. He's fresh to death. WORD.
Oh, and remember to cruise through Attic