NEW MERCH + 17TILL

Well, we finally put some new merch up. Only took like, 3 years. Just a couple things - a few shirts, a hoodie, hat, etc. More to come.

You’ll see a new candle icon all over the place too, often next to “17 TILL” You’ve probably already seen it in the form of an IG caption or story, hashtag, or other places on this blog if you follow closely & pay attention to the details.

Here’s the deal, Verne (our whale mascot) has been our guiding light over the last 3 years. He’s been the approachable, recognizable and friendly face behind the Scrimshaw brand. Verne has completed every task we’ve set out for him, accomplished every mission he was born for. And before you lose your sh*t, Verne isn’t going anywhere, per say. Just like John Mayer doesn’t want to be known as the guy who only wrote the smash, career-making hit, “Your Body is a Wonderland”, we feel like Verne doesn’t necessarily rep us as genuinely as we’d like. We have more to offer - more of a story to tell, with more of a community to back us that, frankly, Verne doesn’t. I’m assuming John still plays YBIAW at like, every show, right?

Over the last 3 years, we’ve been through the ringer. The first 13 months alone were literally us trying to open the shop. THIRTEEN MONTHS. We did everything ourselves, from trenching for plumbing to laying tile and building tables. Then we were met with ownership switch-ups, false starts on other projects, a whole gamut of personal STUFF, and a classic California drive-by lawsuit. THEN good ol’ COVID-19 decided to walk right in. All while trying to nurture a small cafe in its first years of infancy, which is already statistically close to impossible. When it rains, it pours, right? With that said, my outlook on not only life, but business, leadership, and hospitality has changed a ton over these 3 years. And I’m excited about that. I’m proud of these hurdles we’ve jumped and lessons we’ve learned. I think it’s tight af that we got through it all and do not want to slow down.

Enter, the candle. I’ve often described my work style as burning at both ends. Or burning the midnight oil. Or whatever. I work hard, and our crew works hard. This is the only way I’ve been able to wrap my head around what this shop represents right now. After over 3 years of hard work and perseverance, our shop has held on. Our crew has stuck it out for whatever reason (y’all real ones), our customers have supported (y’all also real ones). The candle has flickered in the window for a while, but the fact is, this candle is still burning. It’s going to take a gust stronger than all that to take it out.

2017 till infinity. You’ll be seeing ‘17TILL around a lot more, too. We opened in 2017, and again, not going anywhere. I didn’t want to emblazon our merch, and all other platforms & formats with a typical “ESTABLISHED 2017”. Instead, wanted to draw on the classic Souls of Mischief joint “ ‘93 til infinity’. We don’t know how long we’ll last, but right now it seems like forever. And that’s so sick. Looking toward the future (‘til) felt like a better representation, than only stamping our birthmark (‘17).

I guess all in all, what I want to say is, we’re turning some sort of leaf at the shop. We’re going to let what we like, and our cumulative life experiences, influence our decisions at the shop more than they ever have before. We’re going to let this tone develop organically, and allow everyone to be part of this - that means you, too. Be a part of this.

For now, this tone is going to be found in some fresh merch, this blog, and a different instagram vibe (uhhh…yeah idk). You can find this merch on our online store - which is all presale for the next couple of weeks. Also, all proceeds go directly back to our people, not the shop. So if you’re down with this new ish, please support.

Thanks for sticking with us.

"We got to know some pain to show that we’re still here!”- STILL BURNING, Incendiary