Holy moley – this is record breaking! These kind, funny, die-hard customers have decided to camp out 4 DAYS prior to my grand opening. They were there at the crack of dawn this morning (Tuesday). Not only are they camping out, but they got the parking spot RIGHT in front of my shop. These clever people took their vintage Volkswagen van and gutted it out for beds. They have been taking shifts sleeping/standing their ground in the soon to be, very first, west-coast Johnny Cupcakes line.
Highlight of the night was seeing Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel stop to stare at my shop all confused about the people camping out. They probably think it’s a cupcake shop too. I also think they were more confused at why my campers weren’t paying any attention to them – ha!
The line is starting to grow…. I can’t wait to see all the new and familiar faces! Very exciting to see what the next few days bring.
PS: I don’t know if you remember or not – but I almost didn’t open a shop in California because I was afraid of earthquakes. Well, I was in my first earthquake this morning. I thought my friend Eric was messing around with me and jumping on the back of my car. I looked back and nobody was there. I then looked forward and saw street wires going crazy, as if a big ghost was playing jump rope with ‘em. I thought it was windy out for a sec, and right when I put my hand out the window and felt no wind at all – I knew I was in my very first earthquake. All these store windows across the way, were pouncing in and out, while customers and store owners frantically ran outside.
It was short but definitely made me feel uneasy. The scariest part was that I was unable to get a hold of my friends or family because my cell phone wouldn’t work for nearly an hour or so, after wards. I guess that’s what happens when some natural disasters strike. I could only imagine what was going on through my moms head…
CLICK HERE to the this video in HD and in a bit larger format. It looks way better! And be sure to be a little patient while it loads completely. http://www.vimeo.com/1402868
Woah. Only one more week until the grand opening of my LA shoppe! I apologize for the lack in blog updates – it’s just crunch time and my head is spinning in a bazillion different directions this week. Plus I want everyone who visits my website to see the latest webisodes. I have that excited/anxious pit in my stomach. Sorta like that roller coaster hill/drop feeling. I love it though. I live on this kind of stuff.
Some limited edition products will be given out to the first 100 and something paying customers. There will be an array of LA exclusive t-shirts and silk screened prints available in-store. Also, actual gourmet cupcakes will be gifted to customers throughout the day (while supplies last). Photos and video recording will be capturing this event – so rep your vintage/limited/old/rare/out of print Johnny Cupcakes shirts!
Anyways, I highly suggest to all of you whom are camping out, waiting in line, etc. — to bring both sunblock and umbrellas so you don’t get cooked. Chairs would be comfy too. And again, please spread the word and re-post this new video everywhere. Thank you much for all of your help, and remember – you really have to see this in person to get the full effect! See you soon!
CLICK HEREto the this video in HD and in a bit larger format. It looks way better! And be sure to be a little patient while it loads completely. http://www.vimeo.com/1360334
This second video/webisode of my Los Angeles shoppe. In my last video, you saw all of my wacky ideas and concepts. In webisode #2 – you will see my ideas slowly but surely start forming. Re-post this video + spread the word about the coming grand opening of my Los Angeles shoppe; Saturday August 2nd. Doors at 3pm. 7959 Melrose Avenue.
There are already a ton of people flying out from all around the U.S. to camp out for 3 days prior to the grand opening. Yes, 3 days.
I attended a few meetings today. Checked up on all the finishing touches that are being prepped for paint, engineering + installation. It feels so weird that the new shop opening is right around the corner! Sorta surreal. Well, it’s been nearly 6 months since I signed my lease. My shop would of been open a while back if it wasn’t for my borderline o.c.d. and constant brain-stormage. I wanted to open my shop with a bang, rather than adding things to it down the road.
New video is going to be posted online in anytime now… hopefully tonight!
Who needs coffee + energy drinks when you have a bed to pounce on before you start your day. It looks like a ghost snuck in there to cause some mischief with me. For real though, the word around my hotel is that it is really haunted.
So I’ve been internet friends with this guy Dan Fleres for about 4 years now. During the opening of my very first home town shop, I displayed a number of Dan’s uniquely styled paintings. 4 years later he spotted me from across the street and came over to say hello. He was in town for one of his art showings at the Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art in West Hollywood. If anyone gets a chance, head over there.
The show also consisted of some other great artists; Blinky, Downtimer, Josh Taylor and Zoso (whom also is another internet friend that I finally met. Thanks for helping me out in my time of need!)
While working outside of my shop, this kid walked by and asked if he could get his photo taken with me. After chatting with this chill kid, turns out he’s Ice-T’s son, ‘Lil Ice’. He’ll prolly be camping out at the grand opening. See you there Lil Ice!
I guess these girls traveled down to my shop in hopes of seeing me there…well they found me. Hi. Next time I should put on a striped shirt and call myself Waldo. These girls were funny though! They’re all anxiously waiting for opening day.
These 2 spotted me from across the street and were excited that I came over to talk with them. Down to earth guy’s reppin The Hundreds cap!
Another group of excited Johnny Cupcakers! It’s always interesting to me, to meet people who’ve been proudly ordering online + representing from across the country.
And the biggest group of them all! I’ve received a few e-mails in the past, from Vince and Matty (the two brothers on the right). I guess I’ve been a huge, huge inspiration to them. They told me that they are unable to make it to my grand opening, so I figured I’d exchange numbers and meet up with these dudes to give them a small sneak peek of what’s in store. We met up, hung out and laughed for over an hour. Vince, Matty and all of their friends were funny, kind, good people. I plan on meeting up and hanging out with them before they depart on their tour. They’re in a band called ‘Dear Life’, and they have two great companies; ‘Loud & Obnoxious’ and ‘Glad Rags Ink’. It’s always nice to see young entrepreneurs doing their thing. It’s even better when you see it’s with all their best friends + family.
Well it’s July 15th and I just turned 26. It was almost yesterday when I was blowing out candles to my custom Ghostbusters birthday cake that my mom + dad got me. Feels kind of weird being away from my family and best friends. Instead I’m alone in a hotel in California working wayy late.
The photo above is what I feel like on the inside. The cement ground represents the solid foundation that I’ve built and continue to build. The many doors all stacked on top of one another is telling me that I should take one door/day at a time yet there are still many doors leading to different opportunities + adventures in life, so be patient. The cute couple in the backround is telling me that I’m going to meet a woman with a humongous ceramic head. Just kidding. I took this photo when driving by some random junk yard/antique place. I don’t know what I’m feeling inside, just super tired and delirious. I figured I had to post a blog before passing out.
Thank you mom + dad for doing the wild thing back in 1982. I wouldn’t be here without ya! I love life and am excited for the present and future.
