TAG

Discussion in 'Muton's Minute' started by SaintOfSpinners, Sep 2, 2015.

  1. SaintOfSpinners

    SaintOfSpinners Side Dealer

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    Such a shock that the retail store is closing it's physical location. I suppose the rent on Melrose is extreme.

    Thanks for great shows and toys!

    Hope you'll manage a few pop up shows in some back alley over the years to come.
     
  2. Anti Social Andy

    Anti Social Andy Die-Cast

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    I'm sure Connell will be game . . . just don't make the glory hole too high!

    Love ya C! ;)
     
  3. Patrickg2k

    Patrickg2k Addicted

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    Damn, that sucks! I know I'm fairly new to the game but in the last 2-3 years they have put on some really fantastic shows from what I've seen. I'm glad I was able to visit the physical location at least once to meet everyone and pick up some great pieces. Also, really happy to see they'll be continuing to produce toys and maintain an online store. Looks like they'll be going out with a bang with a great show featuring: Izumonster, Joseph Harmon, Kikkake Toy, Martin Ontiveros, Miscreation Toys, Restore, Pico Pico, T9G, and Uamou.

    You can read a little more on their website.
     
  4. hellscrape

    hellscrape Comment King

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    Bit of a bummer. The shows and staff were always great. Hopefully they keep producing cool toys and putting together the occasional show
     
  5. trueadrn

    trueadrn Line of Credit

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    dang'it, never made it in, bummer
     
  6. 666doll

    666doll Mini Boss

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    Wait, what?! Connell is still alive?
     
  7. dago

    dago Comment King

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    So sad to see TAG closing down their doors.
    I attended several shows there and always had a good time hanging out with fellow collectors. I guess it is time to bring some shows to Lulu :D
     
  8. plastichunter

    plastichunter Mini Boss

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    Just for being so sweet I went ahead and drilled a hole just for you.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Anti Social Andy

    Anti Social Andy Die-Cast

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    You're gonna need a bigger drill! :D
     
  10. IronPaw

    IronPaw Side Dealer

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    Just a smidge bigger so you can fit those robins eggs as well! 8)
     
  11. 666doll

    666doll Mini Boss

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    I think Connell was referring to your wiener and not the whole dick that is you Andy
     
  12. debparis

    debparis Addicted

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    Farewell TAG, it was a fun four years.

    [​IMG]


    Photo by Frank Schaefer




    .
     
  13. Mutonismyfriend

    Mutonismyfriend Die-Cast

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    What a fun pic - worth seeing again - thanks for posting Deb.

    The scene has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, and LA is a microcosm of whats happened across the scene as a whole; Lots of new faces, some older ones sticking around, some that come and go, new collecting practices, friends, flippers, fun and drama. TAG has certainly brought people together - in a similar way that S7 or Lulu do for their cities - many of whom despite being co-located in or near the same sprawling city may not have met in person and developed friendships or whatever, without TAG. TAG has also brought some great shows to LA, even before they moved to the glamorous Melrose location, and in fact some of my favorite shows were at that smaller more intimate location. Everyone who has worked at the store has been rad - artists have come to town who we might otherwise not have met - overall its a big loss for LA.

    Here's an attempted thank you role call to everyone who's worked at TAG; big thanks to Gino, Aaron, Sean, Fino, Connell, Emanuel, Yoshi, Lisa, Todd and a bunch of others that I apologize for not recalling right this second (I even worked opening night and a couple of other shows myself. Cheers.

     
  14. uh oh

    uh oh Addicted

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    Only left out Josh, but he'll never know.

    BTW... what is Jeff doing in this photo?
     
  15. leili

    leili Toy Prince

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    shit, whens the last day to see this show? visit the store?

    i saw pics of the show going on with tons of people and it being called "Famous Last Words" but couldnt put two and two together..was going to stop by the next afternoon but couldnt make it..
     
  16. Vinyl Skin

    Vinyl Skin Toy Prince

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    This is sad news. I'm sorry to see TAG go.
     
  17. uh oh

    uh oh Addicted

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    This is the last week of TAG's physical location.
    Pick up your previous purchases or consignment items and stop by for the clearance sale starting Wednesday.
     
  18. IzzyRodriguez

    IzzyRodriguez Toy Prince

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    So unbelievably sad to see this place go :(
    I got some incredible toys there and the staff was always so kind and helpful.
     
  19. maxaltoman

    maxaltoman Side Dealer

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    It is sad news if this is a permanent closure and not some kind of relocation.
    Are brick & mortar stores really unsustainable in this niche hobby?
     
  20. IronPaw

    IronPaw Side Dealer

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    It is a permanent closure. Online store and production will continue with possible pop up shops
    in the future.

    Its hard to turn a profit on Melrose with the rent being so high and tourists that barely want to
    buy a 10 dollar blind box, let alone a 90 dollar piece of sofubi.
     
  21. FUREEK

    FUREEK Toy Prince

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    I've been wanting to go TAG for a long time now, the times I did go they were closed. I finally had a chance to visit the store last month and now they are closing for good. Boo.
     
  22. bryce_r

    bryce_r Die-Cast

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    Only went once for a PK show when slugbeard was released and it was so much fun. Great store and really friendly staff.
     
  23. hellscrape

    hellscrape Comment King

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    Being located on Melrose made it inherently unsustainable long term, but it was great while it lasted.
     
  24. redhanded

    redhanded Side Dealer

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    Will be missed, but I welcome the online and pop up shops. it was pain getting there at points but always worth it.
     
  25. badteethcomics

    badteethcomics Post Pimp

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    Been seeing these posts about "consignment sales" on the Toy Art Gallery instagram for a while now... I suspected it was the owner's private collection (which was confirmed after seeing a glitter Cheestroyer which was gifted to the store) but I just figured they were struggling financially.. which was the excuse given as to why a bunch of artist gacha projects from 2015 were never produced (although a ton of Ron English, Candie bolton, James Groman, Izumonster stuff were pumped out in the meantime...)

    Referring to selling your own collection as "consignment" just as an excuse to add extra $$$ to the selling price is just plain deceptive and shady as fuck

    After hearing that the (consignment) personal collection toys are being flipped and some dodgy moves are being made with paying respectable artists that they are collaborating with I figured it's worth making a post about it and calling out the bullshit..
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2019

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