It's a big month for us, Philadelphia. Fifteen years ago, Omoi opened its original location on 1608 Pine Street. If you've shopped with us in the past couple years, then you know this location is VERY COZY. Packed to the gills. A treasure trove. But you know what else? It's 450-something square feet. We have a big inventory. We have a LOT of customers who want to shop us. We run our entire online order fulfillment here. And with covid??? What we used to make work for us stopped making sense this past couple seasons, and it's become so clear—we've outgrown the Pine Street shop!
So—on 4/20 we're moving the entire Omoi operation into our spacious big sister shop in Old City, located at 41 S 3rd Street (that's between Chestnut and Market streets).
Yes, it's a bittersweet feeling. We first let the cat out of the bag last week via our newsletter and our Instagram, and maaany of our amazing customers recalled fond memories of the early days when our walls were bright yellow and we sold Japanese streetwear apparel (Hysteric Glamour, anyone?), toy cameras, and hot Kid Robot collectibles alongside our stationery. Here's just a few notable comments from the 'gram post:
"end of an era! I’ll never forget those annual sales in the backyard at the Pine Street location in the early years. So many memories, growth, and evolution in that space."
@bunnielovescheese
"Wow foreal end of an era! Congrats on fifteen years! I fell in love w your shop while I was a student in the dorms on Pine street in 2007 and I’ve been sending people to see you as part of my local recommendations ever since💗💗💗"
@_hollysmith
"Love you guys!!! I used to live right around the corner on 17th & Lombard when I went to Uarts 🖤🤘🏻🖤🤘🏻🖤 I’ll be happy to make the walk to Old city 🌃 ❤️"
@vulfolaic"Congrats on the upgrade of space and all the best in the Old City location"
@cavellmusic
"omg i’ve been shopping at the pine street location since i was in high school 10+ years ago. end of an era but so excited for what comes next!!"
@zzzuuk
We truly appreciate the well wishes because WE are REALLY looking forward to what's next. Have you ever repotted a rootbound plant in a bigger pot with better soil and seen it come to life again? That's what we're going to do for ourselves now. It was a tough decision to make because so many people love shopping our original spot (15 years!), but it's the right decision for allowing growth.
So while we metaphorically repot ourselves over the next couple weeks, we invite our Pine Street regulars to come get acquainted with our Old City location. We're excited to make it as cozy and welcoming as the Pine Street shop so many of you have patronized over the years. Sign up to our lovely newsletter. Follow us on the gram. Tell your friends we're moving. And stay tuned, the best is yet to come!
With a 5-person pandemic capacity, it's been hard to accommodate appropriate staff AND customers.
The Old City shop on the left, and the Pine Street shop on the right.
The front of the Rittenhouse shop in March 2021
And the storefront at our Old City location, ready and waiting for your visit.