Sunday, January 20, 2008

826NATIONAL

"826 National is a family of seven nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing.

Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

Each chapter offers drop-in tutoring, field trips, workshops, and in-schools programs — all free of charge — for children, classes, and schools with particular interests or particular needs."

"To raise funds, inspire creativity, and advertise our programs to the local community, most of our centers include a street-front retail store filled with unusual products, entertaining signage, and, of course, our books for sale. San Francisco’s pirate supply store sells glass eyes and one-of-a-kind peglegs, 826NYC’s Superhero Supply Company offers custom-fit capes, Seattle’s Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company sells “rare imports from other planets,” 826 Michigan's Monsters Union Local specializes in bottling screams, 826LA features a time travel store, there's a secret agent supply store in Chicago, and a Cryptozoology shop in Boston is in the works!"

This program was founded by novelist Dave Eggers, who also publishes the popular McSweeney’s magazine and humor web site.


ECHO PARK TIME TRAVEL MART
The Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a leader in convenience retailing, sells everything you need before you take a road trip through the fourth dimension. You can grab time-machine fuel, a can of mastodon meat, and a cup of coffee in one quick stop.

For Sale: Dinosaur eggs and princess hats; robot-emotion upgrades, dodo chow, and scarlet letters; time-machine parts; coffee.




More photos and product descriptions at the link above!


THE BORING STORE
The Boring Store is open every day from 12-6. Come by and browse our selection of surveillance gear, check out our carrier pigeon supplies, and try on a moustache. All proceeds from Boring Store sales go directly toward supporing 826CHI programs.

For Sale: Periscopes, trench coats, and night-vision goggles; disguises of all kinds (n.b. this is not by any means a store for spies).




The awning of the store says that it addresses all your hollow needs including but not limited to, openings, apertures, punctures, perforations, pits, cavities, and just plain hollows. It also boasts zero customers for the past 28 years and sells nothing of any utility.
BUT....when you walk in, this is what greets you.

The cameras are motion sensitive so as you walk past, all 25 cameras follow you. Awesome!!
Once inside the store, its obvious that this is not a boring store at all, but a secret agent supply store in disquise!!

Click on the link above for more photos, and 2 pages of product shots.



BROOKLYN SUPER HERO SUPPLY CO.
The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. sells capes, grappling hooks, antimatter, and more. All the proceeds from the store go directly to 826NYC. The store also gives passersby a reason to walk in and see what's going on in the writing center.

For Sale: Capes, masks, and grappling hooks; muscles, antimatter, and secret identity kits; suction cups.






GREENWALD SPACE TRAVEL SUPPLY CO.
The Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company outfits adventurers, commuters, rocket scientists (professional and freelance), tourists, theoretical mathematicians, specialists of all stripes, small crews, and large parties.

For Sale: Rocket fuel, air, assorted ray guns; intergalactic peace treaties, travel cups, spaceship accessories.







THE PIRATE STORE
For Sale: Hooks, flags, and message bottles; rat traps, peg legs, and pirate perfume; wax seals, dice, and lard (for bartering, not sale).





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