CHAD'S STORE VISIT: MANREADY MERCANTILE, HOUSTON TX.

Last spring on my trip to Texas and the South of the USA, I stopped by a local hero called Manready Mercantile.

Located in the heart of the Historic Heights in Houston, Texas. They become the ultimate general goods store with unique offerings and Texas hospitality unlike no other you'll find in the world.

Created in 2012 by Travis S. Weaver, a small town guy originally from Zephyr, Texas. The store quickly become a premier general goods store and manufacturer in Houston built upon values of honesty and hard work. When you combine these two traits, you can't help but get quality service and products. 

Work hard, Live well!

CHAD'S STORELOCATOR: DEUS EX MACHINA - VENICE, CA

What was once a gas station and later on a flower shop on the corner of Venice Boulevard has been transformed into a modern man cave—namely, surf culture, badass bikes and strong espresso. Bring your friends to marvel at Deus Ex Machina motorcycles handbuilt in-house, surfboards shaped at the Deus shop in Bali, and floor-to-ceiling art celebrating both of these noble pursuits. As I couldn’t fit a custom bike into my carry-on, I bought the book The Drive which comes in a limited edition with Deus bandana and hardcover sleeve. Grab a double shot from LA’s Handsome Coffee Roasters (they brew in the shop) and instead shop the selection of Raen Optics shades, Baxter boots, Tsovet watches or the Deus clothing line, which spans tees, sweats, board shorts and more.

1001 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291, USA

CHAD'S STORE LOCATOR IRON & RESIN GARAGE - VENTURA, CA

When I walked through the streets of Ventura, I smelt the scent of gasoline, leather, and wax when I passed by a 100-year-old building pilled with clothing, boots, surf gear and motorcycles.

In 2012, Thom Hill & Jackson Chandler started Iron & Resin in a sleepy SoCal beach town Ventura their company called Iron & Resin. Both of them worked in the surf industry and heavy bored with the pointed sameness of brands surrounding them. Iron & Resin was meant to be a throwback to the days when a couple of California boys could fall into business just because they were doing something they loved. In that perspective, Iron & Resin takes made-in-America commitment, motorcycle cool, maker aesthetics, and a dash of core-surfer sensibility and comes out with a lifestyle brand.

Of course I could left empty handed and bought myself an Iron & Resin mug and patch.

Whenever you wil be in Cali make sure you check out this beautiful curated store:

THE IRON & RESIN GARAGE

324 E. Main St. 

Ventura, CA 93001

805-643-0737