Reginald Ferguson [00:00:01]: The Fashion Geeks are hosted and powered by Blueberry. Tiff [00:00:04]: That's Blueberry, b l u b r r y. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:07]: Thinking of launching a podcast? Want your episodes to be deployed smoothly? Go to blueberry.com, type in the word fashion, and get a deal on us. Tiff [00:00:15]: Just put in the word fashion. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:17]: Blueberry, always host fly. Hello. I'm Red. Tiff [00:00:22]: And I'm Tiff. And we're the fashion geeks. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:24]: Trying to make New York. Tiff [00:00:25]: And the world. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:26]: Well, New York is the world. Tiff [00:00:27]: A little flyer, one outfit Reginald Ferguson [00:00:29]: And podcast. Tiff [00:00:30]: At a time. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:36]: Yo. Back again. What's up, Paul? Back again and again and again. Oh, my god. Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:42]: Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. I am glad I'm sitting in my home office, remote recording as my co host is? 2 in a row? Tiff [00:00:54]: Yes. I know. I'm I know. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:56]: I'm I'm I'm getting back up on the horse. Woah. Tiff? Tiff [00:01:01]: I fell off. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:04]: Wow. It sounds like you. Tiff [00:01:06]: It is me. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:08]: I guess it's you. Tiff [00:01:10]: Well, don't sound so disappointed now. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:11]: No. I'm not saying that. I'm like, there's you. Oh, I've been, you know, I've been rolling solo here, doing these individual interviews. Tiff [00:01:22]: Oh, and they've been great. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:24]: Thank you. Thank you so much. Tiff [00:01:25]: I've enjoyed them. Really. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:26]: Really appreciate it. Really. Thank you so much. So but, Tiff, you you you back in the saddle continuing your western reference. Tiff [00:01:38]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:39]: So, you ready to dig your, spurs in and hold on tight? Tiff [00:01:44]: Dude, yeah. We there's there's there's a lot. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:47]: I know. There's a lot. You've been you've been online shopping. We've been we've been doing things. Things have been happening. Tiff [00:01:58]: Like I told you before, I was only window shopping. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:02]: Okay. Well, it's funny that we're we're talking about shopping because let's just get right into it. Tiff [00:02:08]: Yes. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:10]: Inattentive, there are 2 pandemics. Let's talk about the pandemic that people probably thought we were gonna lead with, but now we're gonna follow with. COVID and fashion. Tiff [00:02:21]: COVID and fashion. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:24]: Yeah. Tiff [00:02:24]: I mean, putting those two things together just doesn't sound right. Right? COVID and Folks. And it's like Reginald Ferguson [00:02:30]: COVID doesn't COVID doesn't go with anything. No. Not at all. Except death. So not a topic we're gonna really talk about. So, however, that's a great, really, illusion because retail is dying. Tiff [00:02:50]: Oh my god. I have to say Reginald Ferguson [00:02:52]: Yes? Tiff [00:02:53]: It's been, unlike anything I I have ever experienced in my life. It's kinda like I when you say retail is dying, there are companies that are literally closing down. Big companies that you wouldn't even think would be closing down or closing down, and I feel like I'm losing a family member. I feel like a family member has died. It's just amazing to me what's happening right now because of COVID 19. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:33]: Right. Tiff [00:03:33]: In the in the in the the fashion world, the retail part of it, specifically. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:40]: Right. No, you're absolutely correct. Obviously, it's it's, it's taken its lumps. Tiff [00:03:51]: I think it's beyond that. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:53]: Well, things things are affected. There's no question about that. Tiff [00:04:00]: And we are we're coming from New York. Yes. We we were the first Reginald Ferguson [00:04:04]: the matching capitals. Tiff [00:04:05]: Yep. First to be one of the first in America to be hit really bad. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:10]: Oh, the COVID capital. Tiff [00:04:11]: Yeah. And and we're sort of, I think we're in phase 4 now of reopening Reginald Ferguson [00:04:17]: Yes. Tiff [00:04:18]: Which is, thank goodness. I mean, another another big industry for the city is the restaurant industry, which is also, heartbreaking, The losses we've taken in that industry as well. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:32]: It is it is weakened, and that's just putting it mildly. Tiff [00:04:35]: Oh my god. And you I get in my car. I drive around, and I look. Nothing spookier than driving, down the avenues in Manhattan and seeing businesses with their doors shut. In the middle of the day, even even though we're in phase 4, the doors aren't open. There's signs up, no mask, no entry. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:12]: Some places, you know, you Tiff [00:05:12]: need to no entry. Some places, you know, you need to stand outside and wait to be invited in. And and still half of the places, the doors are closed, and nobody's coming or going at all. Heartbreaking. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:29]: It is. And you can thank the federal government because the mom and pop businesses, beyond retail, but we can specifically talk about retail. And, obviously, to your point, big box places have been affected as well. These places are getting these places are getting walloped. Tiff [00:05:52]: Walloped. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:54]: Because, in my mind, between state and federal government, no one is helping out the little people. Tiff [00:06:02]: Nope. And and, oh, God. Here's where I get Reginald Ferguson [00:06:07]: that's really disappointing. Tiff [00:06:08]: Here's where I get angry again about all this. This is this is where we're gonna have to I I had a small business once, and I did answer a survey from the government, inquiring about new laws and legislation and and and, taxes and things like that. And I let them have it because I ended up leaving that business because it was difficult as a small business to make much of a profit. I mean, I was doing the the business for its for the business sake, and that's it. There was very little profit after the governments took their piece. And you take away the revenue aspect of retail businesses or any other businesses such that COVID has done, you've got nothing left as far as profits go. And the governments tried to do something, putting together these small business initiatives, but they couldn't they couldn't succeed. They couldn't get out of their own freaking way. Tiff [00:07:23]: Lot of lot of the first things they offered were loans. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:26]: Who the hell is gonna pay back Tiff [00:07:28]: a loan when they're not even getting any revenue in? Reginald Ferguson [00:07:32]: Right. Tiff [00:07:32]: I'm gonna I'm gonna relax. Sorry. Sorry about that. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:35]: No. No. You don't have to relax. Righteous indignation is is important. Tiff [00:07:40]: And the first people who received federal benefits under the PUA thing were Shake Shack? Reginald Ferguson [00:07:48]: Were He returned it. Tiff [00:07:52]: I know. That's good. Oh, the basketball team. LA Lakers? Are you kidding me? Reginald Ferguson [00:07:58]: They returned. Tiff [00:07:59]: They returned it. The fashion. Kanye West. He received it as well, his business. I don't think he returned it. Did he? Reginald Ferguson [00:08:11]: I'm not I'm not sure. Tiff [00:08:13]: I don't think he returned it. Come on. He's got 1,000,000 and 1,000,000 and 1,000,000 of dollars. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:19]: He made that very clear with Forbes. Tiff [00:08:23]: Yep. At Reginald Ferguson [00:08:25]: BP, his placement on the line of the celebrities. Mhmm. Tiff [00:08:29]: Right? And it's kinda like, come on. You know, you started small too. Come on. All these businesses started small long, long ago. If you get huge, you forget who you are. The government then takes the rest. It's kinda like, it's upsetting. And it's it's it, you know, for a shopaholic like myself, I miss it so much. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:57]: I hear you. No. It's not right. So here's here's the thing. So you have all these interesting articles that you wanna rap about. So, let's let's get right into it. Tiff [00:09:15]: Alright. That's really Reginald Ferguson [00:09:18]: To me, everything is about the new normal. That we're not going backwards. We can talk about fashion. We can just talk about any aspect of culture and society. That's how it's gonna work. So, you talk about New York, we're one of the fashion capitals. But oddly enough, why don't we go into our plane and go overseas again into Europe. Because before we got wild or as we were getting wild as a city, Italy was getting their head handed to them. Tiff [00:10:02]: Absolutely. And right in the middle of fashion week. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:05]: Exactly. Ding ding ding. That is my point. So, let's rap about that. I mean, literally, literally, at the beginning of this in February, Milan and Paris. Yep. Right? And at that time, we were looking we were looking over, like, oh, that's too bad. And the and Tiff [00:10:26]: the industry was there. Collections were flying all over the world to these different places to be shown at these shows on the runways. And yeah. And then somebody in the industry said, we really shouldn't be here. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:47]: Right. Well, that, I think, essentially, from a chronological standpoint, Milan, everyone was chilling. They're like, we heard about this thing, what's going on here? But then by the time the Paris show happened people were like, uh-uh Yep. We, were opting out. Tiff [00:11:10]: Yes. In a lot of ways. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:13]: For real. Tiff [00:11:14]: I like, one of the articles I sent you said something like, you know, the co the COVID has really walloped the fashion show industry, meaning, people were canceling reservations for hotel rooms, for flights. They were, not even they were taking back their RSVPs, and they set a climate that even Anna Wintour could not control. I thought that was hysterical. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:43]: Yeah. As well, you know, she's only one woman. Tiff [00:11:46]: Right. But, you know, when the fashion industry, she's a giant. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:50]: I get it. Tiff [00:11:52]: I thought that was funny. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:53]: No. It's cute. It's cute. It's cute. So so let's, you know, let's let's talk about this in in greater depth. So, to your point, Paris rolls around, people start bailing. So, again, we're faced with, the industry is faced with what is the new normal? What's going to happen? How will we survive, much less thrive? Right? Tiff [00:12:25]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:26]: So, the I think the thing that's really interesting is immediately brands figuring out, okay, if we're canceling runway shows, we're gonna still have a runway show, but in a different way. So meaning now we're going to we're gonna stream it. Tiff [00:12:48]: Yes. Kinda like what we're doing with our podcast. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:52]: Yeah. We're now we're now remote. Tiff [00:12:54]: Yep. We're remote live streaming, Although we're not live. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:01]: No. But yeah. I mean, it act clearly has been a thing. Kudos to, producer Serge for holding it down for us. Tiff [00:13:09]: Yeah, baby. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:11]: Very, very different, yet yet still effective. Right? So we can still we can still do our thing. Tiff [00:13:17]: We can still chat. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:19]: Yes. Yes. We can actually converse. So I Tiff [00:13:21]: just I can't see what you're wearing. So I can't comment on how fly you look. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:28]: Oh. I'm I'm casually fly because I didn't go outside today. If I go outside, then to be honest, I only wear suits now if I really need to. Other than that, what I've really been doing, which, in a way, is homage to my late grandfather, I've been rocking the the polo shirts and tops with my slacks. Tiff [00:13:51]: Alright, ma'am. You're getting casual. Working the casual game. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:55]: Oh, yeah. But, I mean, in relativity, I mean, still dress slacks and it's nice shirts, nice tops. Tiff [00:14:02]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:03]: So, yeah. And also, to be honest, I rarely wear that stuff. So, I just wanted to make sure everything was fitting right. Tiff [00:14:10]: Because have you put on the COVID 19? I certainly No. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:12]: No. No. I've lost weight. Tiff [00:14:14]: Yeah. I haven't. That's probably because you can't cook. Right? So you're starving? Reginald Ferguson [00:14:18]: Oh. Oh, wow. Wow. Wow. Okay. So you gained, and then you clap at me because I've lost. Wow. Okay. Tiff [00:14:27]: Yeah. Because all I've been doing is eating. I I, I've gone up, 2 sizes. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:33]: Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Tiff [00:14:36]: Yeah. I I was just, having some ziti. As a matter of fact, I'm eating pasta again too. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:41]: Oh, that will, that'll do it. Tiff [00:14:42]: Yep. It's the best comfort food ever. But, anyway, we dug your ass. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:52]: So, again, how I think the I think the major thing that's come out of this is what are we gonna do with selling collections? Is it actually gonna happen in real time? Tiff [00:15:12]: I don't think so. I, Reginald Ferguson [00:15:14]: It depends who you talk to because there's been a groundswell of support by major brands going, listen, spring summer should happen in spring summer, In fall winter, should happen in fall winter. Tiff [00:15:32]: As opposed to Reginald Ferguson [00:15:35]: as opposed to how it's always been that you know when you're checking out when you when you wanna get you know some swim trunks towards the end of the summer you can't because they're winter jackets. So so, yeah. To act Tiff [00:15:49]: Slowing it down. Slowing it down. You're talking about. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:52]: To be in to to be in actual sync. Tiff [00:15:55]: With the actual, time of year. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:59]: Could we do 2 main collections versus for a lot of brands, 6 collections? Tiff [00:16:05]: Or 8. Right. Right. Because that's yes. The article I sent you was talking about how the industry had gotten so so, into fast fashion that it was no longer, you know, spring, summer, or fall, winter. It was, the resort collection. It was the menswear collection. It was the the pre summer collection. Tiff [00:16:33]: It was, you know, up to, like, 8 different seasons and having all of these shows that the industry was running themselves ragged. And that, with the COVID shutdown, it's basically put everything on pause and said and it just basically stopped everything and, given the industry an opportunity to sort of build up again from the bottom, which is what they've really been wanting, to deal with, sustainability issues that the fashion industry has encountered lately. Reginald Ferguson [00:17:06]: Well, to me, it's beyond sustainability. Let's talk about financial. Because if you're a small brand versus these behemoths, this is this is a sigh of relief. This is the this is the potential for a great opportunity. Tiff [00:17:21]: Yes. Because you don't have the you don't have to challenge yourself with, you know, putting out equal product, as the big behemoths. You can you can I I I guess it's gonna be good for the boutiques? Reginald Ferguson [00:17:34]: Well, again, both In a way. The issue is the frequency of of lines and shows. So that that's what it's about. Can we just do 2 seasons? Could we could we do that? And, again, there are a lot of brands. And, again, it's been led by the big brands and that started a few months ago. They're saying, hey, maybe people don't really have time to produce all these collections to your point. Right. So, if we narrow this down to 2, I think it could be a win win for everybody. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:06]: It's a win win for the brands for the consumer and again for the Ma and Pa designer on the come up. Mhmm. Tiff [00:18:18]: Agreed. So I but I we can't overlook the downside of that, which is something that's happening right now because of COVID. So we were the downside is, jobs. You you start taking away fast fashions 6 to 8 seasons, then you're going to not need workers to produce as much. So you're gonna have to cut your workforce, because they're not needed as much. And that's that's what's happening with COVID. We were talking about the fashion industry February coming to a screeching halt. Collect some collections didn't even get shown. Tiff [00:19:04]: So they couldn't get sold. So the big buyers couldn't buy them and then produce them. So the manufacturers, couldn't provide work for their employees. So it just went down the line. The fabric makers, didn't have any fabric to make because they didn't have any orders. It's it's like a lot of joblessness now because of the, the pause in the industry. And this is true for every industry, not just fashion. But we're talking about it's a complete stop. Tiff [00:19:45]: And if we start up again, let's rethink this. Let's not go so hard at it. But the downside is, how do we how do we help with the joblessness part of of this pause? Reginald Ferguson [00:20:01]: I think that's, I think that's, an excellent point. But to But to slightly push back, one, I don't think this is all about fast fashion. It's just about how the industry has been going on for decades. I think that's 1. And I think I think the fast fashion was driving it. You know? You have to put out the Tiff [00:20:20]: you've gotta be the first one to put out the next best thing, and it's gotta happen like now and like now and like now. I think that drives the, you know, the show after show after show after show, season collection after collection after collection. I absolutely think fast fashion is at the cause of it. Reginald Ferguson [00:20:39]: See, I think couture is the culprit. You have all these you have all these shows, the 6 shows because of those highfalutin brand. Tiff [00:20:51]: Very true. Reginald Ferguson [00:20:53]: So they're they're the reason that this is happening. Like, for example, I told you about these major brands, and they did this whole letter and everything. It's brands here. It's brands overseas. Chanel, as far as I know, they're like, nah, We're gonna keep on keeping on. So that's why I view not them per se or specifically, but them being emblematic of something bigger called couture. Couture brands have led this charge for decades. Tiff [00:21:25]: Right. So And there can't be much of a need for couture right now because nobody's having any balls or recessions. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:33]: Don't get it twisted because Really? Well, Chanel did they did an event in June. Now, they didn't have people there. So they streamed it. Tiff [00:21:44]: Right. Of course. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:46]: So, it's just like you said, you're getting used to Zoom and getting used to Skype. Right. Web meetings. Tiff [00:21:51]: But who's buying this couture in this day and age? Where are you gonna wear it? Reginald Ferguson [00:21:55]: People people who can afford it. Tiff [00:21:59]: With nothing better to do, I guess. I mean, if you think about it, there is nothing more to do besides eat, drink, and go shopping. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:10]: I'm all about surviving advance. So Yep. I'll add I'll add something to that. So this is this is really this is really the head scratcher. So but I think I think it's legit. I mean, I think it's in measures in in situations like this, you have the opportunity to be innovative. So bringing forth new ideas, that's what these opportunities can engender. So I, for 1, I'm listen. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:41]: I'm open and I'm curious. Tiff [00:22:43]: Right. Let's see what happens. Let's see if the little guy let's see if the little guy champions. David and Goliath. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:51]: TED app. That's that's see, that's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. Tiff [00:22:54]: That's what you're trying to get me to. It's like pulling teeth, isn't it? Reginald Ferguson [00:23:00]: No. No. No. Not at all. But you had mentioned the big stores. Tiff [00:23:04]: Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:04]: So you didn't get to listen to the last interview. The last interview, we bemoaned the, Chapter 11 status of Brooks Brothers. Tiff [00:23:13]: Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:13]: But since then, L&T Tiff [00:23:16]: is Yep. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:17]: My cousin affectionately called because he worked for them. Lord and Taylor. Men's Warehouse. Tiff [00:23:23]: I was gonna say that. Joss A. Banks. Yes. Joseph A. Joseph A. Banks. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:29]: Yeah. I hate Men's Warehouse. I'm not gonna lie. Tiff [00:23:32]: Yeah. Well, it's yeah. It's kinda like the it's the everyman suit. There's nothing to hate. That could be a launching that could be a launching pad for somebody's entree into wearing suits. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:49]: Well, listen, I don't I don't wish I don't wish any of these companies, but some, some things are held in stark relief because of this unique epic of time. So Well, meaning, hey, the way they were running their business maybe wasn't as sustaining as we thought it would be. And then this situation occurs and then it proves it. Interesting. Yeah. So and I don't you know, and again, I don't I don't wish that on these brands. I mean, we talked about Brooks. I'm the farthest thing from the Brooks customer. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:29]: I do have some Brooks pieces. But one is certainly not the other. And again, L&T, you know, similar thing. I have one item from L&T from, you know I mean, that's it. So I'm not I'm not the target. But again Tiff [00:24:46]: One of mine is is gone. Lucky Brands. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:50]: Oh. Tiff [00:24:50]: I love Lucky Brands. You know, I've got a very bohemian kind of vibe in my casual wear, and, it's a lot of Lucky Brand pieces. And, yeah, they filed. This is something I wanted to talk about too, you know, filing for chapter 11, chapter 13, and then closing. Those are 3 very different things. Reginald Ferguson [00:25:12]: Right. I was about to say because just because you do 11 as we discussed in the previous episode, the previous before your, reawakening. Chapter 11 doesn't mean that it's gone. It's just a restructuring. J. Crew. And I'm I'm a piece of the J. Crew guy. Reginald Ferguson [00:25:30]: So I've been representing J Crew since the eighties on and off. Mhmm. Again, not a target customer, but I still like Ja Crew. Shout out to my boy, Jared Good j Good. So Tiff [00:25:44]: Ja Crew? Reginald Ferguson [00:25:45]: Yeah. Tiff [00:25:47]: I like that. Reginald Ferguson [00:25:48]: I'd love to bring him on but he's podcast shy. He, he's the, he's the storyteller behind JaGru. So, I got that term from him. So they declared, what, over a month ago, I believe? Tiff [00:26:04]: Yeah. They were the one of the first. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:07]: Yes. So Tiff [00:26:08]: So Which was shocking because I was like, wow. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:11]: But again, I get emails from them. Go go on down. Click on your mouse. Have a good time. Buy some stuff. So I'm Tiff [00:26:21]: just praying that Macy's doesn't doesn't go, you know. I what what came to mind was a couple episodes back, we talked about Macy's plans, with the 34th Street flagship store going up, building up. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:34]: Yeah. Yeah. Tiff [00:26:34]: Oh my Reginald Ferguson [00:26:35]: gosh. I forgot about Tiff [00:26:37]: Yeah. I bet that's not happening now. But you can go shopping. You can go shopping and make sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:44]: People are shopping. People are finding their way. Tiff [00:26:47]: Yep. But it's limited. You can't I have to tell you, I did an excursion the other day, Reg. What? I did. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:59]: What did you do? Tiff [00:27:01]: I went to bed, bath, and beyond. What? Because I, what exactly did I need? Reginald Ferguson [00:27:09]: Yeah. I was gonna say, what did you need? And where in which location? Tiff [00:27:14]: Well, we went to oh, I a birthday gift. I was buying a birthday gift. And I went online, and I couldn't get it shipped in time. So I said, okay. There's there's a Bed Bath and Beyond store in, in Queens. It's, it's on 25th Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:36]: Oh. Tiff [00:27:36]: And and so I I I my husband and I drove there all masked up, wanted to go in because online said they had it in the store, the the gift I wanted to get. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:47]: Right. Right. Tiff [00:27:47]: And so we went in, and of course, the signs are there. You must wear a mask. You you have to, you know, 6 feet dip, distance, and it's on the floors and all the markings. And dude, people were passing by me in in 1 feet away, 2 feet away maybe. And I was, like, freaking out. I'm like Reginald Ferguson [00:28:06]: Freaking hate. Tiff [00:28:07]: Freaking out because of, like, the anybody else not seeing the rules here? Yeah. Stay away. I mean, Reginald Ferguson [00:28:14]: the one dude got right Tiff [00:28:15]: up in my face, and I'm like, oh my god. And I we we were looking, and we we couldn't find it. I'm like, let's go. We're out of here. We're out of here. And so we left. We couldn't find it there. And we ended yeah, and we ended up somehow, we ended up further out in Queens. Tiff [00:28:34]: Gosh, I wish I I could remember. Port Washington. So we weren't even in Queens. We're in Long Island. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:39]: Yeah. That's right. I was like, that's not right. Tiff [00:28:41]: That's Long Island. So we were there. We went there. We went there for some I I don't know why. Took a drive to get out of the house, I guess. And lo and behold, there was a Bed Bath and Beyond. And I'm like, okay. Let's see if, if because this is you know, we found Port Washington out on the island, so you would there's fewer people. Tiff [00:29:04]: It's not Queens. It's a bigger store. There's more space. Let's check it out. And we pull around, and it's right next to a Whole Foods. Totally getting off the subject a little bit. There's a Whole Foods, and there's a line out down the parking lot and around the parking lot to get into Whole Foods. And I go, is that for Bed Bath and Beyond? And and we looked and we discerned, no, it was not. Tiff [00:29:31]: That was Bed Bath and Beyond. There was not a line, and there was maybe 10 people in the store. So and it was a big store. It was 2 floors, a big escalator. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:40]: Oh, wow. Tiff [00:29:41]: Yep. And we found what we found what we needed. I found the birthday gift. But that was my first time venturing out shopping COVID after COVID shopping. And it's not even after. We still we're still in Reginald Ferguson [00:29:53]: It's COVID shopping. Tiff [00:29:54]: It's COVID shopping. So that was an experience, but it was a big box. And and they they had the same safety measures that everyone else is stating. There's just you try to find an associate anywhere and you can't find anybody to help you. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:15]: Wow. Tiff [00:30:16]: Just people behind the register. I found not a single associate. Nobody to complain to about the lack of social distancing. Nobody just say, I can't find Reginald Ferguson [00:30:28]: this item, but online, it says Tiff [00:30:29]: you have it. But you don't have it because I can't find it. So it wasn't interesting, but I kinda have to say that we left and I'm like, okay, that wasn't bad. I might I might wanna put my my second peaky toe in. I might wanna do it. So have you done any in store COVID shopping? Reginald Ferguson [00:30:49]: In store clothes shopping? Tiff [00:30:51]: COVID shopping. In store. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:52]: COVID shopping. Yeah. Well, I mean, I go I go grocery shopping every Saturday. During the course of the week, if there's some produce that I've forgotten, I venture out into my neighborhood. So, really, it's about groceries for me. Tiff [00:31:11]: Mhmm. But clothing? Reginald Ferguson [00:31:13]: Clothing? Tiff [00:31:14]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:15]: Going to no. I mean, first of all, you know who you're talking to. Like, what do I need? I really A Tiff [00:31:23]: man whose closets have closets. Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:27]: My clothes have clothes. Come on. Tiff [00:31:29]: Right. And you're not having to leave the house for any kind of business meeting or any kind of are you doing any? I guess you can't. You can't Reginald Ferguson [00:31:37]: do any I haven't done any business. I haven't done any business with clients. Matter of fact, I need to do another edition of my newsletter. So, I've been somewhat procrastinating but I'm gonna try to tackle it this week and maybe send it out this week or early next week. Tiff [00:31:53]: I mean, procrastination is the number one thing in this game, I mean, because there's always tomorrow. Well because we're we're not gonna change. It's gonna be the same COVID stuff that it's been. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:05]: No. I do things throughout the course of the day. I mean, I wake up regular time, but I think what happens is I just get caught up in less important stuff. And then I look at the end of the day and I'm like, oh, my day is done. So Tiff [00:32:18]: Prioritizing is difficult. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:22]: Yeah. I guess. I mean Tiff [00:32:23]: Speaking apparently is difficult for me as well, speaking. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:26]: I'm constantly doing stuff, but, you know, I just let the time slip by me. So but, no. I I've done no clothing shopping outside in the time of COVID. Tiff [00:32:39]: Well, you can now. The stores are open. And Reg, they're all in your name. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:44]: But not they're not calling my name. Not every store. And the reason why I say that is particularly because I follow them on Insta and also I was I listened to a webinar by this gentleman. So, Rothman's in Manhattan has still not opened yet. Tiff [00:33:00]: Really? Reginald Ferguson [00:33:01]: And Rothman's got their plate glass smashed Wow. During the protesting a few months ago. Tiff [00:33:10]: Did they get looted or just the glass was broken? Reginald Ferguson [00:33:13]: No. They probably got looted. I didn't follow it that closely. His Scarsdale location has been open. And he's been doing yard sales, essentially. So he's got I Tiff [00:33:26]: think that's awesome. One thing I have to say is seeing so I said the sad part of, earlier about the businesses doors not opening or people standing outside waiting to get in. But there is an upside to what I'm also seeing, and then that is the ingenuity that I see a lot of businesses, showing and how they are adapting and working with this new normal. And I just wanna say, I've seen some creative stuff, and it's very, very heartening. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:59]: Well, would you care to elaborate? Tiff [00:34:18]: Sidewalk. It's it's in the parking spaces on the road. So it's as big a space outside now that they had inside. So they're finally starting to get revenue numbers up. And there have been some retailers that also, like you said, have sidewalk sales. They're putting things out on sidewalks. I specifically saw, there's a thrift store in my area that has racks and racks of stuff outside because there's still some people who won't go inside to shop because, you know, thrift stores are tight. You know, it's already hard enough to get through, all those racks and racks of things, Reginald Ferguson [00:35:04]: you know, right up under somebody. And, you know, there's there's no way to social distance, really Right. In some of these thrusters. So Right. Tiff [00:35:13]: So they're getting in they're getting I've seen them with racks outside on the sidewalk, and I have stopped. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:18]: Oh, I was gonna say, I know I know you you put that car, you went. Tiff [00:35:23]: I didn't touch. I just stopped and I looked because I don't Reginald Ferguson [00:35:25]: know what and you gawked? You didn't know what you're saying. Tiff [00:35:28]: Tell you. I don't know what it is about me and thrift stores. It's just it's about it's about hunting and treasure hunting. That's what it's about for me. I think it's fun because I also like to get deals, bargain hunting, get deals. Finding, you know, I found a couture dress one time, and I paid maybe 15% of the retail price. Wow. And it was brand new. Tiff [00:35:52]: The tags were still on it. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:55]: And Tiff [00:35:55]: I and I I was actually shopping for a wedding occasion. And that it just falling in my lap doesn't even describe the opportunity that was. It was amazing. And just the pure excitement of, I got a couture piece, and I didn't pay full price. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:15]: Of course. Tiff [00:36:17]: So, yeah. Yeah. Do you thrift shop? No. Have you ever thrift shopped? Can you buy menswear? Really nice menswear? Can you score like that in thrift stores? Reginald Ferguson [00:36:29]: Well, that's 2 separate questions. 1, no, not really. And 2, yes, you can. Tiff [00:36:38]: Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:39]: So this is a wonderful segue. So you're talking about every retailer, but let's, you know, remain specific and germane to fashion. The ingenuity I applaud, I still feel so sad because the numbers are at a subsistence level. Tiff [00:37:02]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:03]: And, again, I blame the government. I blame the Fed and I blame local. They're not helping these small businesses that desperately need it, that are the lifebloods of neighborhoods Yep. Throughout this country, much less this city. Tiff [00:37:21]: I wonder what the data is. How much does retail bring in the industry of fashion retail bring into New York on a daily basis prior to COVID? Reginald Ferguson [00:37:35]: I don't I mean, I don't know. But I mean, again Tiff [00:37:37]: That'd be an interesting number to look at. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:39]: It's significant. Tiff [00:37:40]: It's huge. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:41]: Having it in front of me. Right. It's it's significant. Tiff [00:37:44]: And what is it now? What is It's got to be like Reginald Ferguson [00:37:47]: a Listen. I know this is not fashion, but I I know some of the restauranteurs in my neighborhood. And I'm in a popular neighborhood. And the 2 owners I know, one is a very popular restaurant and another one's a pizza shop. So the very popular restaurant, people come from all over. You know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And they're cool dudes. And then the pizza shop is, again, as I aforementioned, a lifeblood. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:19]: It's been around for decades. Listen, if they're if they're operating at 20%, that's a blessing. Tiff [00:38:28]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:29]: So And Tiff [00:38:29]: but how does that cover that doesn't cover rent. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:32]: That's my point. That's my that's my Tiff [00:38:34]: 20% of your revenue doesn't cover rent. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:37]: That's my point. That's exactly my point. Tiff [00:38:40]: Doesn't cover rent. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:41]: Yeah. And then let's talk about Tiff [00:38:43]: electricity. It doesn't cover That's my point. Of sale. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:48]: Yeah. That's my point. Yep. That's my point. I mean, I know it's a cliche, but we really are all in this together. Yep. And I'm not saying that owners, landlords should just look the other way. But Tiff [00:39:02]: They gotta pay mortgages. Probably. Property taxes. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:07]: To me, this is all like domino this is dominoes. All these things are impacted, affect the other. And to me, I'm sorry. This is where the government needs to step in. Because to your example. So the retailer can't afford the monthly nut. So that individual needs relief. The landlord has a mortgage. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:32]: They need relief. The bank isn't getting all their money. They need relief. So But, again, it definitely should be a proportional relief. Right. So, when you're seeing these big muckety mucks I think, like, Lockheed Martin applied. And they and they were killing it financially. And they're and they're looking for stuff. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:00]: So it's like, come on, guys. Really? So let's let's talk about the vintage, the fashion stuff, right? Because I'm not I'm not really into that. So but it's great that you mentioned it because I definitely I definitely have some examples, Right? So Tiff [00:40:21]: Well, you also donate to the Bowery Mission. So Reginald Ferguson [00:40:24]: Yeah. I do. Tiff [00:40:25]: You you you create revenue. You bring revenue to the, the vintage thrift market. Thank you, Rich. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:35]: Well, I don't know how I I don't know how I do that. I mean, when I'm giving to the Bowery Mission, that's going that's going to their crew that are disenfranchised that that need clothing. So I do that out of the goodness of my heart. I mean, that's how I was raised. That's how I continue to live as an adult. So remember doing that. This is not like a a goodwill donation. So, no. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:00]: They they don't they don't have a Bowery Mission store. Tiff [00:41:04]: No? No. No. No. But Reginald Ferguson [00:41:08]: That that gear goes to the down and out individuals who utilize the social services of the Bowrie Mission. That's why I do it. It's the only reason why I do it. It's the closest thing I could do versus doing it at church. So, but getting into that vintage thing, unlike you, I've never been a thrift store person vintage. I mean, I'm like the antithesis. I'm not that guy No. In the least. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:38]: I just not that patient. Heck, even when I was growing up, seeing my mom go to the Lower East Side with me in tow, you have to understand my initial retail experiences. I was I was the miniature version of these husbands. Oh. Oh, no. Tiff [00:41:59]: We're going shopping again. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:01]: With the ladies and they do these things and where can I sit? And, you know, I'm a little kid. Tiff [00:42:09]: Right? That's the first thing my husband does whenever we go into a store together. He looks for his sitting spot. One of Reginald Ferguson [00:42:17]: the best memories I can recall right now off the dome is going to Macy's at 34th Street and I was a little Reggie at the time so sitting in my sitting in a chair legs dangling and flanked with me like husbands. Tiff [00:42:33]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:34]: Just you know, we were all in this together. Yep. So, again, my initial experiences, I was like, Ew. Shopping. Ugh. Squirrel stuff. Ladies, where's my chair? Now, of course, I I couldn't be more different. I I lead the charge. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:55]: Yeah. Let's go. Tiff [00:42:57]: Yeah. You do. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:58]: Oh, my god. I really do. I really Tiff [00:43:00]: do. I've been shopping with you. I know. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:05]: Love to do it. But I've never ever been into thrift stores. I haven't but I'm glad that you're asking me that because there are 2 spots in neighborhoods beside my neighborhood that have really been up against it. Tiff [00:43:27]: So I bet. I mean Reginald Ferguson [00:43:30]: Yeah. Yeah. Because, again, I've never liked it. I remember when I went to NYU in undergrad, so, there were a lot of spots, like, on St. Mark's. There were a lot of spots on Broadway. Tiff [00:43:44]: HUGHES: Oh, my God. To St. Mark's in the old day? Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:48]: HUGHES: Antique boutique? Yes. I bought, like, one thing there, 2 things there. But I was not really that guy. And really, if I ever wanted to try to do, like, some old school thing, I waited my grandpa's closet. Tiff [00:44:01]: I'm about ready to say you are ready because at your your pocket squares most of your pocket squares you'd wear these days. Well, prior to COVID, were your grandfathers. So you did kinda sorta work doing that vintage thing. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:15]: Well, yeah. But let but let's be clear. So when I was growing up in that new wave stuff was going on. So, big, oversized. My grandfather was a big dude. I was not a big dude. My grandfather was like a 48. Tiff [00:44:32]: Wow. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:33]: Yeah. 46. He was big and he was broad. So anything I rocked of his was like Tiff [00:44:40]: You were in fashion. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:41]: It looked right. It looked crazy on me. So so those are the things I snag. The pocket squares, that happened due to my mom's passing. And then when I went through my grandparents' place, I was fortunate enough to find just a few things because a lot of this stuff was gone, which broke my heart. I had really wanted to look at my grandpa's old suits. When I opened that closet and found nothing was there, I it weakened me. And it saddened me. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:11]: Because I wanted to revisit. Because he was such a fashionable man. He was he was my hero in that regard, but overall. And I wanted to I wanted to reflect. And I didn't get that chance, but I was so fortunate that at least there were some pocket squares left in this chest of drawers. So, I didn't get to have the experience that I wanted to with the closet. And it still it still gnaws at me. I announce that. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:38]: So, but, anyway, getting straight to the point, not really that guy. So, but there are 2 spots that I wanted to talk about with you that in adjoining neighborhoods, in actually different directions, that have really been affected. And they're your spots. Yeah. So, yeah. Oh, absolutely. I mean, well, they're men's. But still, I know particularly one, One, you would lose, you would lose your mind. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:04]: So Yeah? God. I would love to go there. Hey. Hey. Hey. It could still happen for you. So let me, so let me, so let me break it down. Tiff [00:46:11]: Well, I thought you were gonna tell me that they're closed. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:14]: Well, I'm giving an Alpha and Omega story. So, I'm gonna talk about 2 spots. 1 is Wooden Sleepers. ShoutOut, out in Red Hook. And, the other one is Crowley Vintage over on Gowanus. Tiff [00:46:30]: Alright. Two neighborhoods have really changed over Yes. Since I've come to the city. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:35]: Yes. Understatement. So, I live between those 2. So Wooden Sleepers, around a month ago, it's a wrap. Oh, really? Yep. Yep. So they were on Van Brunt. I used to walk by there. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:53]: I know a little bit about them, followed them on Insta. Again, I'm not their customer. So but I understood their Steve's and it wasn't mine. And, yeah, I once, I was looking at my Insta and he was like, Yo, I tried in March, I thought I was gonna keep on doing it, it's a wrap, I'm a father, it's about safety, And his spot was small. Like, it was cute. And I never went in, to be clear, but it was small. It was like 400 square feet. So that's the, hybrid of foot and feet. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:31]: So so he he was like, it's a wrap. And the reason why I brought them up, not just because of the proximity, but because he was actually selling, not gear, he had a laundry cart and those big canvas joints. And, pick up to my boy, Jay Good Jared Gooding of Please Space. I hit him up and I was like, yo man, you should run over there and get one of those carts for your business. So he did that. So the spirit of Wooden Sleepers is in police space with a, big old canvas laundry cart. So, he yeah. He would but what's interesting about that owner, which I really give him props, his name is Brian Davis. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:24]: He's like, yo, when I come back, I'm coming back strong. I'm coming back big. I'm coming back with a space that's gonna double or triple the one I currently had. Tiff [00:48:35]: Wow. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:37]: Yeah. So you gotta get credit for that, buddy. Tiff [00:48:41]: I'm looking at it online. Dude, this place is awesome. This is the vintage store? Reginald Ferguson [00:48:46]: Yeah. He was in GQ, because because I remember reading my gq, and I was like, That spot's, crushed out for me. So I walked by, and even I mentioned it Jared. I was like, Hey, do you know Wooden Sleepers? He was like, No. I said, Yeah, it's on Van Brunt. So, because sometimes I would go to the fairway, which may be no longer as well. Right. So, that's one that's one side of it. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:11]: The other side is Crowley Vintage. Now, Crowley Vintage is over in Gowanus and they're on Third Avenue. Matter of fact, I didn't realize this. Again, I follow him on Institute. He's on the same block as a bridal shop, that my friend works at. Now, he did something that I know you'll like. And I've got a Oh. And, actually, I just realized. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:37]: Remember the guest we had, Yvonne? Yeah. He loves vintage. Well, I know. Vintage. Tiff [00:49:45]: Yes, he does. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:47]: He drinks it. He eats it. He'd smoke it if he could. Tiff [00:49:51]: He should go to this the store. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:53]: Well, he has. Ah. Repeatedly. But also recently because Crowley Vintage they have been doing stuff online now and sending out mad packages, but he had a yard sale. Tiff [00:50:14]: No shit. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:15]: That's awesome. And I went. And? I went. And? Well, I thought just that would you'd be shocked. Tiff [00:50:23]: Well, yes. You win. I went. But did you buy? Reginald Ferguson [00:50:27]: I went with my client slash friend, Tony Harris. Big shout out, Tony Harris, who you know, but you can't remember. Tiff [00:50:34]: You always say that. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:36]: Because it's true. It's true. You both are like, yeah. Tiff [00:50:40]: That's that's nice. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:42]: Yeah. Yeah. Tiff [00:50:43]: I definitely know him. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:45]: Okay. So, we went. And as I'm known to do, I was like, Tone, you should look at the stuff. I'm just gonna stand here. And, he went over to the shirts. He had stuff in rods. To let you know, his breakdown he had, like, he had some rods and he had tables. He was playing some music. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:05]: And clearly, it seemed like almost everyone there was, was an existing customer. He knew everybody. Tiff [00:51:13]: Wow. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:13]: He did not know me. He did not know my boy. And, actually, we saw we saw one of the neighborhood guys. I think he bought, like, some tails. He was just walking down the street all drunk. I was like, Oh, my God. This is a deal. What? Yeah, for real. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:28]: And matter of fact, he ended up coming to my neighborhood. I said, Hey, man. I saw you on Third Avenue. Wow. And he was with another guy. Tiff [00:51:34]: Just walking with tails. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:36]: Yeah. Yeah. High as a kite. So, so Well, Tiff [00:51:41]: if you're gonna be high, being high and fabulous is even Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:44]: Yeah. Yeah. He was fly. He was flying. He was high. So Tiff [00:51:48]: Flying high. Oh, I love it. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:52]: So, my boys started checking out shirts. And some of them were sized out, but some of them were not. And my boy mentioned it to the proprietor, Mr. Crowley, and, he said, well, you could take them out the plastic and try them. Well, you didn't have to tell me that twice. Dress shirts? I'll take a gander. Tiff [00:52:13]: Were these brand new? You said take them out of the plastic? Reginald Ferguson [00:52:16]: That's right. Vintage brand new. Tiff [00:52:18]: Vintage brand new? Reginald Ferguson [00:52:20]: Yepper. Holy cow. I was down for 2. Tiff [00:52:27]: Did you really? Good for you. Wrench, finally. Finally. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:32]: I'm a vintage guy now. Tiff [00:52:34]: Oh, I'm so proud. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:34]: Give me my badge. Tiff [00:52:36]: I'm so proud. Good for you. I wanna go to this place. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:40]: Well, he only did it that once. He hasn't announced another he hasn't announced another one. So, but my point is, I recently, I I watch him a lot on IG stories. And he was like, don't get it twisted. He said, I'm operating at around 20%, 25%. And he was, like, thank you so much. 1 of his clients paid his rent for one of the months. Tiff [00:53:07]: Yeah. That's amazing. That is amazing. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:11]: But, he's struggling. Right. He's struggling. He was quoted as saying, it is so much harder to sell this stuff online versus someone comes in the store, they like it, they put it on, they go, I'll take Tiff [00:53:26]: it. Yeah. Because and that's the thing. It becomes 2 dimensional online. It's just a little photograph of an item. The whole thing about vintage shopping and thrift store shopping is the feeling that you get when you find something that's sort of so amazing. I mean, that's what that's what it's all about. You saw those shirts, and and you're like, what? And it turned you from a, not a vintage dude into a vintage dude. Tiff [00:53:57]: I mean, it it absolutely changed you as a person. Reginald Ferguson [00:54:00]: I'm not a vintage dude. I'm a I'm a man. Tiff [00:54:05]: An appreciator of some vintage aspects of fashion. How is that? Reginald Ferguson [00:54:12]: I bought 2 night shirts out of vintage style. That was nice. Tiff [00:54:15]: Yeah. I get it. You like vintage watches too, I know. Reginald Ferguson [00:54:18]: I do. Now that yeah, but that's different. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that that's not I mean, that's apples and oranges. Right? Yes. I do. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:54:25]: I I definitely do. Tiff [00:54:26]: Love kitchen. I can imagine. Another aspect just came to mind is, how do you I mean, thrift stores are most of the time one of a kind. You can't put all of your stuff online. I mean, that would it would be a job in and of itself. You'd have to get you know, first of all, you'd have you'd take forever to take pictures of everything. And once that's sold, you gotta take it off off the, the online space because it's already sold. It's it's I can't imagine the vintage stores and thrift stores going online like like other brands are doing. Reginald Ferguson [00:54:59]: It is herculean. He's a one, Crowley is a one person operation. Mhmm. And he's going through it. Wow. So, I mean, to be honest, I'm actually scratching my head about, Hey, is it does it make sense to do another yard sale? I mean, he knows his business. It's not for me to it's not for me to question. Tiff [00:55:22]: Right. But Reginald Ferguson [00:55:23]: he the bottom line is no matter who you are, it's all hands on deck. And this is a really tough time. And I just need to And it's time Tiff [00:55:33]: for people to get out there and spend their money. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:37]: For the ones who have it, Tiff. Tiff [00:55:39]: Right? Reginald Ferguson [00:55:39]: Because what I've been hearing, not everyone does. They don't. Tiff [00:55:43]: They don't. And you know what? Those who do are saving it because Right. They're freaking out. They're like Reginald Ferguson [00:55:52]: That makes sense. Tiff [00:55:53]: What if I can't find a job for another year or 2? I gotta hold on to this money. They're not buying it. They're not shopping. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:01]: Right. Tiff [00:56:01]: There's really literally no thing that's not a such thing as disposable income right now. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:09]: Right. And, according there was some study that was done, recently that thrift stores, allegedly, that was the sweet spot, you know, economically. But in store sales, I mean, again, a store is a store is a store in COVID. So you're you're you're at a subsistence level right now. Mhmm. And, that's not right. But I but in in your vein, I am happy that I could support, no matter how small, by the purchase of 2 shirts. Tiff [00:56:49]: And local. Small and local. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:53]: Absolutely. So Tiff [00:56:53]: good for you. Good for you. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:55]: Well, it's good for everyone involved. And I let my community board know that because we we represent them on the community board Tiff [00:57:02]: that day. Good. Good. Good. And it's good to have a voice like yours on the community board too. For you can you have so much you can be heard. You're on the community board. You can help these small businesses with, I guess, the community board in a way. Tiff [00:57:21]: I I I don't know. I don't you know, I'm not on a community board. I don't I I've dealt with them in my past businesses. But, I mean, there's gotta be some way that community boards in every community can sort of help shore up businesses that make their community what they are. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:40]: To be candid, I don't think there's much we can do. This is a a much bigger and higher pay grade. Tiff [00:57:47]: Just be a big just be a voice, a bigger voice for them, I guess. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:51]: My point is step up federal government. Tiff [00:57:54]: Mhmm. Well, absolutely. For sure. This is definitely gonna be a different world. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:02]: Yeah. It is. From where you come from. Tiff? Tiff [00:58:06]: Reg? Reginald Ferguson [00:58:08]: It's, it's good talking to you way out there in Qborough. Tiff [00:58:15]: I like to see you, like to like to I like talking to you in B town as well. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:22]: That is not what we call b k. But, I know you're a little tired. Tiff [00:58:30]: I am tired. This is a workout these days. This is probably the first thing I've done in 3 months. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:38]: Well, it's a good start. Tiff [00:58:40]: Besides laundry, of course. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:44]: I'm right. Tiff [00:58:45]: I'm Tiff. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:47]: We will see and hear you next time. What were you gonna say, Tiff? Tiff [00:58:51]: I was gonna say it's been real. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:54]: It always is. Tiff [00:58:55]: Yeah. Thanks for going watch listening. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:59]: Yeah. Absolutely. Alright, Tiff. You take us out. Tiff [00:59:07]: That was me putting on the brakes. Reginald Ferguson [00:59:09]: That's okay. I'm Reg. Tiff [00:59:10]: And I'm Tiff. And remember. Reginald Ferguson [00:59:15]: No. Okay. I'm Brad. She's Tiff. We'll see you next time. And remember, always be fly. Tiff [00:59:22]: Be fly.