As many of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter may have already heard. Yesterday I received an email from Edward at Sugarcube in response to my Black Friday post. A post in which I very shortly (but very powerfully, apparently) ripped into Sugarcube for overpricing a shirt…
“Loooong story short Sugarcube had men’s vintage(?) GAP flannels on-sale(?) for $70s… Yeeeaaahhh…Fuck that. Meanwhile Lost + Found, right across the street, had maaad cute stuff, all muuuch more reasonably priced and I spent $160 on a jacket, a belt, a winter hat, AND a sweater… SOLD! Get your shit together Sugarcube, you were all kinda uptight and weird too. Whereas the women at Lost + Found were super nice and helpful.” [Read the full post here]
… The post was mostly silly and was mostly about a SEPTA El service shutdown, but was evidently stinging enough(?) to warrant THIS email (that was forwarded to me from Paul because I guess I have the wrong email listed on the site, my bad), take a look…
Dear Mr. Thorson,
Please be aware I have sent the following, addressed to Conrad, in response to his slanderous comments about Sugarcube Inc.
Conrad,
Was your negative comment about our efforts at Sugarcube so warranted you just had to post what you did? Surely you must realize all the stores in old city have different price points, customers, products, rents and the like. All of us, including your supported store, Izzo, are trying like hell to stay open so you can have positive choices other than your first point of reference “The Gap”. We invite you to Sugarcube to clearly see and understand what we have and what we do. Please, stop in, introduce yourself.
Is the intent of your blog to undercut locally owned independent businesses in Philadelphia who contribute in a positive manner to Philadelphia’s diverse culture? It just strikes me odd with all one could post about (even under the subject “Black Friday”) that intentionally trying to harm a reputable business is in your favor. I await your response.
Respectfully,
Edward Dormer
Sugarcube
124 North 3rd Street
Philadelphia PA 19106
Is it just me, or are they kinda proving the whole “uptight and weird” thing by even just sending this email? (That’s a joke Sugarcube… Kinda.) Anyway, I got this right as I was heading into work yesterday evening, so I’ve had some time to think about this, and … It really just seems silly to me. I think I must have hit a nerve. Maybe they’ve heard this kind of thing before?
I mean, wouldn’t the normal response to a customer’s weird visit to your shop (whether or not the customer is a blogger) prompt you to ask them to come back and give it another look (which he kind of did), but maybe WITHOUT asking me if it was “the intent of [my] blog to undercut locally owned independent businesses in Philadelphia”?
Besides, I didn’t really say anything much different from what other customers have wrote about them on Yelp. Funny enough, the very first comment basically repeats my sentiments…
“… The prices, though, are what prevents me from stocking my closet full of their goodies since they aren’t as recessionista friendly as Lost + Found across the street.” [Zoe P.]
And even while Sugarcube has a great Yelp rating, most of the people, some of whom even rate them 5 stars, comment on the over pricing…
“… The only thing I wish is more of a mix of price points.” [Lee G.]
“… The clothes are very overpriced. I love all of the wood and the handpicked vintage items, but you cannot find much in this store for under $100.” [Popped Festival]
So, I guess Philly’s own Popped Music Festival is undercutting locally owned independent businesses too?
Look Sugarcube, your shop is mad cute. It got me to walk in, didn’t it? You obviously have your shit together. Your quality and selection is a rarity in this city. (Or so my friends who work in the fashion industry in Philly have told me. Ok, my one friend who works at Anthropologie cooperate). And despite my (probably still SEPTA angry) experience, everyone else has commented on your GOOD customer service, so I’ll take that back. All I’m saying, I guess, is bring in a few more price points(?) (Jeez, the first 3 things I looked at were over $200 each, before I landed on that $70 GAP shirt and walked out). And the next time I’m in Old City I’ll definitely stop in and say, “Hey!”
And as a side note Mr. Dormer, to be fair, I decieded to respond to you on my blog because I started this on my blog. I really do like your shop. I promise.
TTLY, Conrad
What do you all think of Sugarcube? Let me (and them) know…
How I feel about Sugarcube….
Gorgeous and beautifully curated? Yes!
Intimidating and expensive? Yes!
Vintage stores are fun. I get their schtick – their owners do you the favor of digging through old closets, church thrift stores, and eBay to find the best of the best. Thus the higher price tag. But other spots – like Retrospect, Sweet Jane, Lost + Found – keep the prices reasonable – and still below prices for copycat vintage dresses at Urban and Anthro. Sugarcube is not one of those.
Needless to say, I’m not sure that letter is going to bring anyone who was previously intimidated by prices back through the door again.
Hey Conrad….why didn’t you come into Izzo’s on Black Friday! Jeeze! That being said, I am sure that the lines Sugarcube carry are just a higher price point to begin with no? People have been known to say that matthew izzo’s price points are too high and in light of the economic downturn we have worked really hard to bring in lower prices, and to diversify our market. That being said, we miss some of the collections we used to carry because of their attention to design and excellent craftsmanship. As well as the desire to carry unique brands. While I would never pay anything close to $70 on a gap shirt, vintage or not, poor press is hard for independent boutiques, especially in this day and age….but we love you! And Philthy, and Paul….and Philly….you get the idea. Come see us soon!
xoxoxox
Sugarcube is an amazing gem to have in Philly, or else we’d be stuck with barefoot shoes!!
We need style and fine clothing in Philly, and that’s what makes an old city boutique.
think about when Art in the Age moved to old city….suddenly went from Tees to high end.
It is a different kind of shopping, not one necessarily aimed at our age and demographic.
As far as pricing, you pay for the glitz and in a way the ‘curating’! Haha, it’s not any old gap flannel, it’s a flannel they chose to sit with their collection, to fit in with the season. Some guys aren’t so savvy and can’t vintage shop on their own, not saying i agree, but i understand.
but Edward is a really nice guy
he once gave me a kind deal on something i had my eye on forever, and compliments me when i walk in with it, he’s working hard to show us beautiful clothing, knowing not everyone dresses or understands it.
i love the ginchy-ness feel of vintage in philly, but like everyone else has comments, not necessarily worth the mad bucks shops want you to spend, especially when there’s competition worth shopping around for. for instance i am really into vintage housewares, so when a local shop on one side of town charges too much i get out and check the competition around the other side of town. it’s what business is about – you have to be able to compete with other stores, no getting around it.
I haven’t been to Sugarcube. The whole point of vintage, as I remember it from back in the day, is to look good *without breaking your budget!* It was originally a less-expensive, *alternative* look, specifically so you didn’t have to spend $70 on a shirt.
who wears flannel anymore??!!
wait? what? was a letter from sugarcube warranted? excuse my language and this is no way trying to undercut you conrad and what you do, but IT’S A FUCKING BLOG!!!! you are allowed to have your own views and opinions and that is the beauty of the internet. now if you went out and bought the domain sugarcubesucksandyoushouldntshopthere.com, then maybe i can see a problem with that. srsly though conrad, keep doing what you do best and informing the ppl of your OPINION!
totally agree with the last comment!!!!
Dagz has it.
dags said everything I would say.
A little late on the response, but what a d-bag. Maybe he just had a lousy day and was venting on you. Whatever the case may be, not a good way of putting out a sales pitch for your store. I plan on NEVER even walking through the doors of this place.