The Material Review

The Material Review

The Material Review

Issue 218: An NYC Guitar Legend, Davoll’s General Store, Soccer Shirt Economy, Temu Range Rovers, The MA-1, How to Dock a Boat in 20 Seconds, Spotlight On: No Plans and Links.

Michael Williams and Taylor Stacey
Aug 29, 2026
∙ Paid

Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.

Rick Kelly Will Build Your Guitar from a Church, a Brothel, or a Bar

“The legendary luthier of Carmine Street has spent 50 years repurposing old New York into instruments played by Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, and more.” [Totei]

A General Store Almost as Old as America

“Ben Shattuck, the proprietor of Davoll’s in coastal Massachusetts, yearns for a retail world before chain stores and online shopping.” [NYT]

The Rise of the Soccer Shirt Economy

“How many jerseys is too many? In the Premier League, a limit may not exist.” [Reuters]

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Michael Williams.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Michael Williams · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture