THE SHOP
I first heard about the Superhero Supply Store on a university field trip to the biggest apple. One of my tutors, Gabriel Solomons, gave us all a list of things do and this seemed like something not to be missed. The store was, in no exaggeration, probably the greatest and most wonderfully designed shop I have ever seen with both my eyes. It was a child’s dream of a shop, a shop for super heroes.

Within this amazing shop are all the things you could of ever wanted as a comic obsessed boy-child. The store was covered with gadgets, hero advice, plans, maps and loads of concoctions to enable you to get super powers. Here are my reasons why this shop will blow your brain.

1. It looks like a proper secret lair inside
2. It sold capes, masks and crime fighting equipment
3. It had a wind machine you could stand on to test out your cape
4. It has a secret door in the shape of a bookcase/shelves
5. You can buy antimatter, gravity and speed of light
6. You have to tell them your super hero identity to purchase your items

Whilst in there I knew I had to buy something, so after alot of thinking I went for the Antimatter. I had avoided opening it for some time, I eventually did and for your information it looks a bit like Horlicks.

My friend Lawrence spent his money on some Speed of Light, unfortunately at Newark airport he was forced by security to tip it away. He really shouldn’t of kept it in his hand luggage.

The beautiful items on offer at SHSS and the store signage were all designed by Sam Potts. If you are going to New York here is the address.

THE FRONT

Established in San Francisco in 2002 by writer Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari, 826 is a unique organisation that tutors and provides workshops for kids ages six to eighteen on writing and ultimately on creative expression.

For Print Only

Their first store, The Pirate Supply Store, was opened in 826 Valencia Street in San Fransisco. Although the store was originally created through necessity.

After being turned down for regular use of church basements and school facilities, the founders discovered an empty store for sale on Valencia Street. The city ordinances stated that any businesses in that particular area of the city must be either retail or catering, so the Pirate Supply Store was developed as the “legitimate” business front for the writing center.

Mr Wikipedia

826 National have seven shop fronts around America. There is the The Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute, the Boring Store at 826 Chicago (a secret agent shop), the Echo Park Time Travel Mart in LA, the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair in Michigan, and the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. in Seattle. All the 826 stores offer a massive selection of branded goods where all the money goes to support their non-profit organisations.

The Pirate Supply Store merchandise has recently been redesigned by Office and it looks amazing.

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