Shop Gentei Interview!

Not that long ago, we had chance to find out about the incredible place from, well, not NY, Tokyo, London or Paris, but Baltimore. That’s right this Shop Gentei is the only spot in the area!

We’ve had a chance to chat with the owner of that spot with Oliver. We talked about his love for sneakers, design, Japan and of course BALTIMORE!

Hi Oliver,

Let me start.

What’s up with the name? What does it mean?

SHOP NAME: GENTEI (gen-TAY) means limited edition in Japanese.

How has the Japanese experience influenced your life, style, aestethics etc?

Japan has been one of the biggest influences in my life to date. Moving there really opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. Smaller brands have so much more power there than they do in the States. Plus, there are so many more people shopping there. People in Japan are always looking for something new to make themselves different from others, so the exclusivity of a smaller brand is more appealing. Japan has a very strong culture of its own, while still being influenced by cultures from around the world.

Are you originaly from MD/DC area, why here?

Yes I am born and raised in Baltimore. I moved to Tokyo in 99’ and then moved back to NY in 03’? still keeping a place there allowed me to spend half the year in NY/B-more and the other half in Tokyo. now that the store is open, I’m spending more time in Baltimore, but still flying to Japan every other month for design work (aghhhh). I wanted to open in baltimore because it’s my hometown, and there is NOTHING here! However Baltimore has ALOT of flavor, just no one to jump it off. I had been supplying cats in NY with shoes from Japan for a while, and when they started to tell me that a lot of dudes from Baltimore were driving up just to buy shoes, I figured it was time. I LOVE BALTIMORE!

Tell us more about the whole background behind your place. You say it’s one of a kind. Can you elaborate?

The store is a concept shop. We will be changing our “theme” 2 times a year. Our first theme is MILITARY, hence the graphics, and color scheme. We will also pick up brands that will complement the season’s theme. We are also the ONLY shop in the US to carry the Japanese lines that we stock. As a lot of shops open up across the country, they seem to have the same stuff in them. I’m doing my best to pick up lines that you will not find anywhere else.

Tell us more about the ppl behind the concept, the crew?

Well, I’m the owner and producer. I’m a graphic/clothing designer by trade. My man Ed is the manager, he owned SELECT in baltimore. (one of the first 50 SB accounts). Young is my homeboy who will also be working at the shop. Each of us has been skating for over 20 years. Young and I are fixed gear riders. I also dj weekly @ the ottobar in Baltimore, where we also throw a monthly party: www.bbcsound.com?
We all do a lot of different shit.?

What brands do you carry?

The brands we carry are:

SLYANDROBBY (my line from japan, that we are relaunching as our shop only brand)
MACDADDY (Japan)
COVERT ORG (Japan)
AG (anti-good, Japan)
HOUSE INDUSTRIES (London)
CROOKS AND CASTLES (USA)

Like I said before we will be picking up new lines as the seasons move on… and we are waiting for our Vans, and Nike, accounts now.
(If any one has brands that they are shopping around send us an email. We’re always looking.)

What is your favorite pair?

My favorite pair that is in the shop is the Ueno AF1’s. Favorite pair ever is either BALTORO’s or AJ 1’s.

Is there any pair, grail you wouldn’t sell?

I won’t sell the UENO’s !!!! or my 4 pairs of OG baltoros or MY AJ 1’s. Anything I love, I wont sell. As far as the shop goes, basically everything is for sale….. all the crazy crazy shit I keep! hahah

Kicks to wear or to keep DS and stare?

I think they should be worn. I wear 99% of mine.

How did you find out and what do you think about HYPEBEAST?

HYPEBEAST is blowing up the net, so its been in my radar for a while now.

What do you think about the shoe game and hype? Do you think it’ll stay for a while or it’s close to the end? Hopefully it’ll stay forever!

I think the shoes game is kinda out of hand now. I started collecting in 93’ with vintage adidas and odd color cortez. Back then there were no exclusives, there were no shops like this and NO INTERNET! It’s good that it has gained popularity, and the shoes are out there for people to cop, but I think Nike and other brands are shooting themselves in the foot by releasing too many “exclusives”. People are already over the shoe by the time it drops because its had so much web presence. How many hot NEW style shoes have you got in the past year..? Every hot shoe is retro!

OK, any shoutouts at the end?

Thats about it.? I would like to give some shouts out to all the people who helped me build the store, and get it open in time. As well as all the cats who have helped me out along the way……

Thank you to Carleton Hall for the photos. All Rights Reserved by Carleton Hall