I’m kind of obsessed with hip hop from back in the day because my Dad used to blast hip hop at Street Blue, his hip hop clothing store on Germantown Ave in Philly. It was Power 99 FM all the way. And so, when I came across this Philadelphia Inquirer article about Abakus Takeout, I did a double take and of course, it was necessary for me to interview Rick Cao and Jackson Fu, who along with Ky, created this Ridiculously cool store.

And can you believe that Rick actually BOUGHT CLOTHING from my Dad’s store back in the 90’s? What a small world!
Here is Rick:

And Jackson, Mos Def, and Ky at the store

Great.Tell us a bit about yourselves. Where in Philly did you guys grow up?
J: I was actually born in NY, but was raised for most of my childhood in the suburbs of Philly – about 45 minutes out, Pottstown area. I didn’t actually become a Philadelphia resident until I started college at Drexel – which is where I met Ky, playing basketball. Actually it was through a non-profit organization, Philadelphia Suns. I like to compare it to an Asian AAU Travel team.

How did you get into designing? And how did you come up with this concept of “Abakus Takeout?”…which I love by the way.
R: i came with this concept 5 years ago, I lived in NYC since 99 and living there Fashion was life. Absolutely, since I’m half Chinese. Having a takeout concept store was a no brainer. Everyone who lives in a city knows their local chinese takeout. I just put two things I love and put it together. I want people to have an experience when they enter Abakus.

I’m kind of obsessed with the t-shirts in Chinese food containers and the purple sneakers next to the fake roasted ducks. What are your favorite pieces from the sneakers and clothing? And how are you planning to keep it fresh? Different from places like Supreme and Union?
R: I personally like Transpotter and award tour, they are two small companies that are big as 10 deep or crooks. Sneaker wise I don’t have a particular one.

Would you be excited if you had 100 people waiting for 2 nights for a shoe from your store?
J: Personally, I’ve always been an avid sneakerhead. So anything shoe-oriented is a personal favorite! Clothing wise: I’m a big fan of Orisue and Triumvir from Santa Ana. To get a line for any release, would be extremely exciting. I look at it as a sign that you’ve almost made it. Sneaker heads are a different breed, they know what they want and they are dedicated.

Okay, for the readers of girlatastartup who don’t know what a sneakerhead is…please give a definition.

J: Haha, being a sneakerhead to me is not just about having a crapload of sneakers, although it helps.
Knowledge is a key attribute! Knowing your kicks, release dates, knowing about the after-market values, and recognizing real from fake.
R: I believe for us keep it fresh from Union and Supreme. we are doing consignment for kicks and we always love to pick small brands that are not well known and try to help blow their brand up.
J: Sometimes I get worried that it might be a passing fad – but then I realize that when Nike or Adidas
release the next shoe, and then I see 50 kids from 15 states line up 3 days in advance and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Being a huge fan of urban clothing and just anything that screams fresh style, I read the Philly.com article about Abakus and was really impressed. How did it feel to get your first big press piece out there? Also… People have lots of misconceptions about our hometown. Care to debunk any stereotypes? Also, what makes Philly, this city it is?
J: As far as getting an article in a major newspaper just means to us that we really have a lot more work. We’re on the right track, but not “there” yet. It’s exciting, owning your own business and being able to make executive decisions day-in and day-out.
R: We were humble about it, it’s great for the Chinatown community.
J: Misconceptions of Philly… Being so close to NYC – we’re like the little brother in terms of Streetwear and fashion culture. I think that people are beginning to realize that we’re(Philly) on the up-and-coming!

What is Philly Style at the moment?
R: Philly is not known for street wear style, we are more known for white t’s, dickies, timberland boots. More like the working class style. But lately I’m seeing more street wear kids or hipster whatever you want to call them. I don’t think it’s a fad. If this was a fad. I would not be in this business.
J: And also you know you’re in Philly – when a major sports team always comes close – but doesn’t really make it!

Haha. Your store seems like the type of retail location that will get a devoted, loyal following. How do plan to market your clothing and sneakers? Is it more getting an online presence?
R: We do have our regular customers – and to us, we definitely try to cater to them – and newer customers by basically being that store with the limited merchandise. We really make it a point to our vendors, that we be the only store to carry a certain brand. I remember working for Steve and Barry’s and they were thinking of opening a online store. It folded because you got to hire the same amount of people you have now to operate. Because your dealing global.

Looking forward, what are your ultimate goals for this store and brand?
R: Ultimate Goal is expand the Abakus brand and to have Abakus in Paris, Japan, NY and maybe in San Fran. Hong kong.

Good luck…So these plastics ducks that you flew in from LA….tell us about them. Do customers ever ask you if they can purchase them?
These ducks were made by a custom prop company — who have done projects for Oliver Stone to Jerry Bruckheimer.
J: We had to ship out 2 whole roast ducks with neck attached to them – just so they could create the plastic molding.

That has to be the coolest prop ever. Any last words, or anything you want to plug? New releases?
Look out for the online shop available at abakustakeout.com next Saturday! Also be on the lookout for abakus next drop of T’s for mens and womens !

Thanks for your time guys and if you want to check out more of their cool merchandise, go to
www.abakustakeout.com