Good Morning and Hello Friday!

This week proved yet again that I live in the perfect neighborhood — for ME. Sketchiness aside, this block of the Lower East Side always delivers when it comes to trends.

I only have to pop my head out the window and BOOM, new discoveries, from off-beat marketing partnerships (#2 below) to cool new streetwear brands (#4) to Freeman Alley’s never-ending art and fashion spectacles.

Oh, and if you want the details of my choking incident, you’ve got to watch the video (#1).

Scroll down to read more!

1. [WATCH] VIDEO: What’s New This week?

2. Benjamin Moore: Official Paint Partner of the New York Rangers

HERE’S THE SCOOP:

1. Corner wall at 213 Bowery painted BLUE last week and guarded 24/7 by private security (see #3). I thought it was another Epic Games Fortnite promo but after a bit of sleuthing, discovered it was a “reveal mural” celebrating Benjamin Moore’s In-Game Helmet Sponsorship with the NY Rangers. The “Hockey Week in NY” Mural, along with a pop-up at 2 Rivington, were supposed to go live on Oct. 6. Not sure what happened but the pop up was a no-go at the last minute (perhaps the drug dealers on the corner weren’t hockey fans?).
2. Besides the in-game helmet sponsorship, there is also an in-ice logo position during all Rangers games at Madison Square Garden and four colors representing the Rangers palette will be added to the Benjamin Moore Sports Collection.
3. The mural was designed and created by artist Key Detail (see pic above).

Takeaway: A new development in sports marketing. The first time a major US sports team will be wearing non-sports logos on their gear. NASCAR does it and so do international soccer teams but I do not recall any NFL, NBA, or MLB teams partnering for logo placement on uniforms. Even at the US Open recently, American tennis player Reilly Opelka was fined $10,000 for carrying a bag onto the court with the logo of a Belgian art gallery on it.

3. Beefed-up private security

THE FACTS:

1. I’ve seen more private security working at restaurants, bars, stores and events since mandates to show proof of vax were instituted. It’s becoming essential because people are totally off their rockers these days. Why airlines aren’t doing this is beyond me.
2. And it’s not just in major metros. The City of Boise just requested $300,000 for increased security in public buildings due to harassment over masks. “Security ‘ambassadors’ will manage ‘negative behavior’ in the City Hall lobby, where front-facing staff are currently dealing with ‘confrontational visitors.” Increased security has also been requested for libraries and for Idaho IceWorld, the city-operated ice rink. “Ice World and Library staff are currently dealing with an increase in verbal harassment around mask compliance from visitors and players/coaches. Employee retention has suffered as a result. These incidents have at times required law enforcement involvement.” 
3. What’s totally new as far as I can tell, is hiring private security to protect promotional murals from graffiti (see #2 above). Big shout-out to Sheehan & Sons Security. Their guys, especially Don, have been excellent!!! Love having them on the block.

Key takeaway: We’re going to see a MEGA boom in private security for 2 reasons: 1. People are getting increasingly unhinged about mask-wearing and showing proof of vaccination. 2. Crime is also escalating and as police officers quit in droves (or are being defunded), businesses and communities are going to have to step up and hire their own protection.

4. Meet: Jack Regalado, founder/creator, Jiggy Thunder

HERE’S THE SCOOP:

1. Jack started his brand, Jiggy Thunder, in 2019. He’s self-funded (has a lot of side hustles), has worked in retail (Camper and Asics), and credits his mom for his entrepreneurial spirit.
2. He does most of his business through his website. He’s a big fan of Japanese design, and the character he created for his brand is inspired by Murakami’s Mr. DoB.
3. Based on the lively scene at his pop-up last Saturday, I’m excited about his future success. Another discovery for me coming out of the Jiggy Thunder event is Sheck Wes (an African rapper/model/basketball player who lives in Harlem and has 1MM followers on IG). He’s HUGE with this crowd!!

Here’s to Jack and Jiggy Thunder!! Wishing him all the success in the world. That man is a hard worker and his hustle and artistry deserves to be rewarded.

5. Trendspotting: Guys are the shoppers now!

6. Masked or Mask-Free? Why Are Retail protocols So wildly inconsistent?

HERE’S THE SITUATION:

1. On Tuesday I went clothes shopping in Soho. My first stop was Madewell. They posted a sign at the door saying MASKS ARE OPTIONAL if you’re vaccinated. If you’re not, they ask you to wear one. I am vaxxed (altho nobody checked) and I opted to go mask-free, I tried on a dress, didn’t buy it, left the store. Easy-peasy.
2. Next I went to All Saints which, like the Soho Bloomingdales, has no signs about mask wearing at all. I did ask a staffer at the door if he’d like me to wear a mask. He said nope, not necessary. I tried on a dress. LOVED IT. Bought It. The staff at All Saints all wear masks but I’m happy to discover that they’ve updated their customer mask-wearing protocols from a month ago. Next stop: Alex Mill, greeted by a big sign that mask-wearing was mandatory. Donned my mask, tried on a few jumpsuits. Now sweaty and uncomfortable. Left without making a purchase.
3. Final stop: COS. Again sign on door about mandatory mask-wearing (a change from a month ago). Took out my mask, read the sign again, put away my mask (and wallet) and headed home.

I’m not an a**hole anti-masker. I always ask the staff if they want me to mask up — and then readily comply. I’m also triple vaxxed (got my booster shot). But I do find the mishmash of rules from store to store utterly confusing and it does impact my decisions about where I will (and won’t) shop.

7. Celebs are ditching spirits and getting into cannabis. will it succeed?

THE LATEST:

1. Bieber just launched Peaches Pre-Rolls. Made we wonder if the rush of celebs getting into the spirits biz has peaked. Will we see more celebs now developing weed brands?
2. Celebs who have recently sold their alcohol businesses (not necessarily to get into cannabis) include Jay Z, George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds. Just good business decisions or something more?
3. I’m not a pothead so it’s hard for me to get a solid read on the opportunities. Most people I know who are into weed, have a “dealer” – but that may be an age thing. Do Gen Z and Millennials prefer to get luxury-branded weed at an Apple-like store dispensary or thru an app versus their street-corner dealer?

Bottom Line. Young celebs can be a powerful influence on similarly young consumers. This celeb weed trend reminds me of how, among this younger age group, meme stocks have taken off along with cryptocurrencies and NFTS. Interesting to see where this goes. I do sense a paradigm shift among the generations.

8. Apps update: Contrary to earlier predictions, they are not dead!!

HERE’S THE SCOOP:

1. The app industry continues to grow. In 2020 there were 218 billion downloads and $143 billion in global consumer spend.
2. In the U.S., app usage has surged ahead of time spent watching live TV. The average American watches 3.7 hours of live TV per day, but spends four hours per day on their mobile devices.
3. Apps are also big business. In 2019, mobile-first companies had a combined $544 billion valuation, 6.5x higher than those without a mobile focus. In 2020, investors poured $73 billion in capital into mobile companies — a figure that’s up 27% year-over-year.

The key takeaway for me has been how much I LOVE my apps and how dominant GOOGLE has become for me. I get all my news from a custom Google feed, I use Google Maps for EVERYTHING including making reservations and checking reviews, and with my move away from TV, I am spending 5-6 hours a day on YouTube. Apple Pay is another biggie for me. And, of course, I am using my Excelsior Pass almost daily, to verify vaccine status. What app have I given up? Uber. Too expensive now that VCs are no longer subsidizing our rides. I’m back to taxis (which run about a third to one-half less than an Uber) and now made so much more convenient with the CURB app.

9. NYC is the #1 city on ‘Travel TikTok’ – a must read!

ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY BY SUPERDRY:

1. TikTok’s travel videos have amassed over 49 billion views. This study, based on 193 countries, 292 cities, and 1,095 attractions, analyzes relevant hashtags to determine which locations had the most views.
2. Of the most-watched countries, Asia dominates with 9 different countries among the top 25 including Japan, China, India, Vietnam, and Thailand.
3. When it comes to the most-watched cities, NYC is #1 with Seoul, South Korea in the #2 spot. Other American cities making the top 25 include Chicago, Portland, Miami, and Nashville.
4. The 50 most-watched attractions is topped by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa with over 1 billion views. Almost half of the attractions, however, are in America, e.g., Walt Disney Florida, Times Square, Universal Studios Hollywood, Lake Tahoe, Central Park, South Beach Fl, the Grand Canyon, Mall of America in Minnesota, Dollywood, TN. (Note: if anybody from TikTok or Superdry happens to read this: Machu Picchu, Peru is NOT in the USA).

My takeaway from this report? “WHEN CAN I TRAVEL AGAIN?” But also thrilled to discover I am not alone in loving the vitality of NYC. It’s totally HAPPENING here right now. And that explains why everyone seems to be coming to NYC to visit. And because of that, I currently feel less compelled to get on a plane myself.

10. MONDAY is Indigenous Peoples Day. this line of teepees erected on Peets Hill in Bozeman will stand through Oct. 18.

HERE’S THE SCOOP:

1. The installation, “Lighting of the Teepees: Illuminating Indigenous Peoples Day,” is a partnership between the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, the Pretty Shield Foundation and Mountain Time Arts.
2. The teepees were first put up as a public display a decade ago near Winnipeg, Canada. Last year, in part to give people hope during the pandemic, the teepees were put up again, this time in Billings on the Rimrocks. The response was tremendous with thousands coming to view the teepees and honor those who were sick or who had died of Covid-19 with stone circles engraved with their names.
3. The city of Bozeman gave Mountain Time Arts a permit to install the teepees and is planning a gathering on Monday, Oct. 11 for a land acknowledgement and a proclamation for Indigenous People’s Day.

“We found it is just a wonderful symbol that represents us as Native Americans. The lodge has lots of meaning to us and it truly represents our mothers and our families and us as Plains Indians.”

William Snell, Exec. Director, Tribal Leaders Council

And that’s a wrap but not before …..

I send my heartfelt thanks (again!) to Il Gattopardo and our waiter (whose name and photo unfortunately I did not get). I also want to thank these two wonderful gents (doctors!) at the next table, who were ready to jump into action. But one good wack on the back from the waiter and a good cough on my part and I was good to carry on!!

So, a very social week despite my choking incident (on some incredibly delicious pasta I might add). I’m thrilled that so many people who I haven’t seen in 2 years are finally making their way to NYC again. Catching up in person is AMAZING. And on that note, it is a wrap. Have a great weekend everyone (and chew your food!!).