Ever since I enrolled in UCSD, I find myself driving past Downtown a lot. It wasn't until after Christmas or during winter quarter I started frequenting 8th & G, whether in person or on social networks such as Instagram. The block is really growing, carrying 5 major shops now, 5 & A Dime, 9Five, HDQTRS, Dope Sauce, and Blends. For most of my needs, one of these places fulfills just that. Every time I just swing by, I think I'm just going to get one thing, yet I always walk out with a couple things.
Months ago, I stopped by 5 & A Dime before their 5D Reset, picked up a couple things like their popular 5&ADime Stack tee. Months after, I stopped by again and found the shop pretty bare, in terms of products I was interested in getting. Jay wasn't there at the shop either, seemed weird; I walked out with one of the Motor Union air fresheners (still hangs on my rear view mirror). However, I went to HDQTRS and picked up one their snapbacks, and then to Dope Sauce where I had quick chat with the guy who was at the desk, forgot his name though, but we talked about how we were from the same neighborhood; real nice and welcoming dude. Picked up one of their Canon 24-105 lens mugs since you gotta make people think you're drinking a cup of joe out of a lens.
Anyway, I haven't visited 8th & G for months since then; school got a lot more busy and all that. Finally, for my friend's birthday, he wanted to swoop on by the block to pick up himself a pair of 9Five's and possibly buy the Kicks on Deck board he was looking at, which I was going to get him as his gift, my friends and I wanted to split it. We walked in, dude working there was talking to another guy, so my friends were just trying on a few pairs while I was snapping away in their shop. The other guy left and the guy working said whats up and everything, my friend proceeded to buy his shades and then I proceeded to buy him the deck he wanted, while I got the Skyline deck. Happy birthday dude haha.
Afterwards, we walked on over to 5, and all I can say is that place looks real good now. It has a pure mom n' pop shop feel now, with the classic candies and bottles of pop, Jay really did well on giving it that classic feel of his (and pretty much everyone's) childhood of being a kid in a candy shop; in this case, a candy shop with quality clothing goods. Everything in the shop (As was before of course) are really timeless, nostalgic, classic. I watched The Hundreds' Cool Store Bro! video of 5 & A Dime, and I was excited to visit the shop again. Everything in the video was in the actual shop, so there was a real good vibe visiting once again, like they've been gone for years and finally came back; or for me, that's how the reset felt for me haha. They still carry a lot of the products you'd expect, from In4mation to Woodman Co. and Richer Poorer Socks to Rustic Dime. Where they used to have stacks of tees of each design / color on the shelves (that you weren't supposed to touch) are now replaced with bottles of sodas. From Dad's root beer to Stewarts, and Boylan's to Bubble Up, all kinds of flavors you'd want to try. The good ol' Bison is still there of course, what kind of 5 & A Dime would it be without it? A lot more antiques, old books, collectibles are now beautifully placed around the showroom, such as vintage coolers, mannequins, radios, sewing machines, 'treasure' chest as I like to call it (Rustic Dime jeans on sale in there!), to really give that aspect of his parent's influence in his childhood household. They also have barrels containing bags of candies or two barrels by the register of taffy or chew candies, as well as jars of classic candies and boxes of gum right on the register. Of course, remember not to touch / remove things out of place, as that it is meant for display purposes, unless told that it is the last in stock, Jay will run into the back and get you your desired product.
Anyway, coming into the store I wasn't planning on getting anything, except for trying out one of their craft sodas and possibly a pair of Rustic Dime denim if they had any. After a while of looking around, Jay engaged in a casual talk about what's going on and everything. I haven't actually talked to Jay as much before, since I would always come in the shop and there's already a few shoppers. It was really cool talking to him, as I kind of look up to him in the business field. I ended up finding a pair of Rustic Dime's for sale, then grabbed the last small Native Buffalo tee. I stared at the Buffalo beanie, admiring how clean it was, yet I couldn't make myself buy it. After a few minutes of looking it over, Jay went over and offered me a deal; no way I could turn it down. After finally caving in on months of saving money, I guess it was like a cheat day. I walked out with a bag carrying the Rustic Dime jeans, the Native Buffalo Tee, Buffalo beanie and the last blue Buffalo bandana. Also, they throw in a couple of candies, root beer candies in my case which is my favorite, and got myself a bottle of Swamp Pop and boy, let me tell you that was delicious; never had a bottle of pop taste that good. I'm eager to visit more often to try each and every soda they have and collect the bottles to place on shelves for my room when I move out into a bigger newer house. I'll most likely be back to pick up the Shop Keeper tee and possibly their clean zip up hoodie, as well as more craft sodas. There quantities aren't lasting long unless they do full restock soon. Best to get what you want before you know it they're all gone! Once again, shoutouts to Jay for keeping his shop up to date, lively, and great products and service!
After visiting 5, went around the corner to see what was good at HDQTRS. Looked around a bit, then went to Blends. Dope Sauce was closed, seriously, it's like every time I'm there, Dope Sauce is closed haha.
