The Material Review
Issue 151: Cafe Gitane Closes, Simms is Ruined, RollieFest, Whataburger, DVDs, Stacking Firewood, London's Oldest Establishments, The Bills' Stadium Tunnel and Spotlight On: magCulture.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
Once an Arbiter of Cool, a 30-Year-Old Nolita Icon Has Closed
“Manhattan’s Cafe Gitane has apparently shuttered without fanfare” [Eater]
Further Reading: On the flipside, Rauol’s is still going strong
Private Equity Is Ruining a Beloved Fly-Fishing Brand, Retailers Say
“Fly shops across the US are publicly dropping Simms after a private equity roll-up and broader turbulence in the outdoor industry.” [Bloomberg]
My Playdate With the Watch Nerds
“A Casio man in a Rolex world crashes the convention where guys trade six-figure grails for fun.” [The Cut]
Texas’s Favorite Burger Chain Is Out to Conquer America
“Six years after it was sold to a Chicago private-equity firm, Whataburger is opening new restaurants at a brisk pace.” [TexasMonthly]
Further Reading: And so is Jollibee
The Last Good Thing
“DVDs, streaming, and the price of nostalgia” [The American Scholar]
The Art of the Holzhausen
“My growing obsession with a picturesque method of stacking firewood.” [Slate]
How London’s oldest establishments stay in business
“From powder pigments to Chinese herbs” [The Londoner]
Further Reading: to royal robes and wigs
Highmark Stadium’s single tunnel in Buffalo is one for ages
[ESPN]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Howlin’ Firecracker in Bordeaux
VRNCLR Vee Vest
Adsum Suede Tote
Rancourt & Co. Oslo Sock
Waterfield Vista Magnetic Glasses Case
J.Mueser Brown Puppytooth Flannel Waverly Suit
magCulture
Fare #18, Philadelphia
The Pub, from The Fence
New Mountain Magazine #2
Fieldfare #5
Electronic Sound #132
Classifieds
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.
🛒 Sid Mashburn Winter Sale
Shop 30% off tons of seasonal, wear-now pieces.
🛒 Quaker Marine Supply Co. Winter Sale
Up to 60% Off
🛒 Campbell’s of Beaully Boxing Day Sale
A limited opportunity to invest in enduring pieces, crafted to last a lifetime. Selected styles now reduced by up to 70%, available for a short time only.