San Francisco By Foot
On Wednesday I took a work-related trip up to San Francisco and had
a few hours free to explore the city. From the Embarcadero I took the
trolley car towards Japantown. The trolley stops a few blocks short,
so I just walked the rest of the way. I wanted to check out the Super 7 store,
a joint that sells collectible toys, art books, cool t-shirts and
characters goods. But Super 7 specializes in kaiju, or giant battle
monsters—they carry more monsters than a spoiled Japanese kid’s toy
box. Super 7 also puts out a magazine on Japanese toy culture from
retro to today’s vinyl called Super 7 magazine.
Brook Lee, host of Pacific Fusion, shows off a matching kaiju at the Super 7 store.
On this clear California day I was in luck. Co-owners Mark Miyake
and Mark Nagata were at the store hanging out with former Miss Universe
Brook Lee. And thank God earlier that morning I went back up to my
hotel room to get the digital camera. Actually Brook Lee was there
interviewing the dos Marks as host of her television show Pacific Fusion.
I got to spend a little time talking with both Marks and they were
super friendly. I think what they are doing is great and wish them
mucho success with their store and the magazine.
San Francisco morning view
Pacific Fusion is based in the Bay Area and it launched locally last
fall. The producer of the Asian American lifestyle show, Daniel Mori,
shared with me that they are looking to get aired in Los Angeles, so
hopefully more people can see the radiant Miss Brook Lee do her thing
bringing mad props and respect to the pan-Asian identity. I dreamed of
making a show like Pacific Fusion when I worked at the E! channel back
in 1998. Sometimes I wish I stayed in television, but no regrets—I
have Joypop now!
At the Super 7 store, Devin, the cashier, told me about another store I should check out called Brand Fury.
It’s located near Union Square and took me about 15 minutes to get
there in my black Oxfords. Brand Fury specializes in ass-kicking
apparel and urban vinyl. The coolest item to pick up is a Bruce Lee
emblazoned t-shirt—a must have for any self-respecting Asian-empowered
brother. And if you care, they are licensed. Brand Fury has it’s
roots in the now defunct Yolk Magazine. Benji, the store co-owner is
one cool cat. If you ever need movie tickets, he will hook you up!
I ended up buying a gift at Brand Fury—I was asked to find a gift
for our event’s (the reason why I was up in SF) guest speaker, Steve Wozniak,
co-founder of Apple. What do you get a gazillionaire who probably has
a closet full of iPods and carries around more gadgets than well, a
spoiled Japanese teenager? I bought the orange Hidemari no Tami
solar-powered head nodder. I figured the Woz, a techincal genius,
might be amused by the toy, and guess what, he actually liked it!
Hidemari no Tami—do you get it?
I also want to add, I went to the Sony Metreon
to check out the latest gadgets and see if there was a demo of the PSP
(no such luck). Metreon has a big Gundam and Astroboy section for you
toy collectors.
If you make it up to San Francisco, it’s a great walking city.
You’re bound to find a cool store or two and you’ll definitely meet
some friendly folks, I sure did!
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