The Material Review
Issue 147: Return Industry, Big Box Afterlife, Recombobulation, Stuff No One is Interested In, Luxury Cars, Saving Decaying Tapes, Perfect Tool Shop, Spotlight On: Chukkas and RMF x Buck Mason Pt. 2.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
What Happens to All the Stuff We Return?
“Online merchants changed the way we shop—and made “reverse logistics” into a booming new industry.” [The New Yorker]
The Unlikely Afterlife of Big Box Stores
“Once icons of corporate uniformity, abandoned Wal-Marts in Kentucky now host thriving community flea markets.” [The MIT Press Reader]
Reflecting on the world’s only “Recombobulation Area” signs
“The world’s only “Recombobulation Area” signs at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport turned 15 and this, fellow Milwaukeeans, is worth celebrating.” [OnMilwaukee]
On Being Interested in Stuff Almost No One is Interested in
The ‘Race Against Time’ to Save Music Legends’ Decaying Tapes
“New problems are plaguing old reels, putting decades of history at risk. One man, armed with hair dryers and a love of tinkering, is leading the charge to rescue them.” [NYT]
What Does a Luxury Car Even Mean These Days?
“Six-figure trucks, entry-level Mercedes-Benzes and a bunch of new EVs make it difficult to pin down what makes a high-end vehicle so special.” [Bloomberg]
a perfect Tool Shop
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Dirty Labs Hand Wash & Delicates Bio Laundry Detergent
Hamilton Pearl Snap Micro-Corduroy
Soft Goods Classic Thermal
American Trench Merino Donegal Fingerless Gloves
Taylor Stitch Après Robe
Chukkas
Crockett & Jones Molton
Viberg Uplands - Black Alpine Calf
Sid Mashburn Chukka Camp Moccasin
Todd Snyder Nomad Boot
CQP Silva Suede Chukka Boot
Aurora Shoe Co. North Pacific Rough Out
Rocky Mountain Featherbed x Buck Mason Part 2
Down Parka
Down Jacket
Welcome to our weekly “Classifieds” section of the newsletter. The idea is to find an easy way to promote things happening in our ecosystem. Think of this space to promote your eBay shop, event, newsletter, app, book, tool or your personal brand (if you must). Drop us a line at if you’re interested in buying an item in an upcoming issue. Price: $200 for four ads. Maximum 280 character per ad.
👁️📱 Eyeball
Save these links ⬆️ with Eyeball, a new kind of bookmarks app. Keep all your links in one place, chat with them, get a curated list every Sunday of what to revisit. Used by thousands, built by a writer, absolutely free.
🛒 Best Made Co. Holiday Pop-Up
Dec. 13 +14. Hunting Tavern Museum. 288 Main St, Andes, NY 13731
We’re proud to announce that Best Made brick & mortar is back, albeit for 2 days, this December. We’ll be offering Best Made favorites, including apparel, accessories, strongboxes, enamel signs, and notebooks, along with promising deals on one-off samples, damaged goods, and returns. In addition, there will be some surprise offerings from friends of Best Made, and of course, gifts and books from the museum.
🎉 Blamo! Holiday Hang
Tue. Dec. 16th. 7PM. Meta Lab. 697 5th Ave. NY, NY.