What It’s Like Opening A Store During A Pandemic

With the recent news about sister retailers/e-tailers Totokaelo and Need Supply closing, the future of a certain kind of curated multi-brand shopping — the kind that’s all about helping cool people find cool new things — looks grim. In the middle of a pandemic, a recession, and a historic fight for racial equality, who has the time or money to wander around a shop looking for new designers? But Telsha Anderson believes in supporting up-and-coming creatives — especially creatives of color — and the optimism behind her new store, t.a., is inspiring. Anderson is the founder, owner, and buyer for t.a, which is based in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District and feels sort of like it could fill the hole left by Totokaelo and Opening Ceremony, another multi-brand casualty of the last year. The brick-and-mortar retail space, which opened its doors last Wednesday, offers globally sourced looks from up-and-coming brands including Ellery, PRISCAVera, William Okpo, Ottolinger, Barragan, and more. Read more at The Cut.