American Apparel in the Mission? ugh.

Just read this post from the Squid List about American Apparel setting up a storefront on Valencia in the Mission. Chicken John, the author of the post, is very objective in his consideration of the benefits of gentrification VS its many pitfalls.  But in the end, he makes it very clear that he is against AA's outpost on the traditionally indie street that is Valencia. 

My take? Of course I don't think American Apparel should be on Valencia in the Mission. They belong in Union Square or maybe Hayes Valley and across the street from one of the gazillion Art Institutes. But not on Valencia. 

That being said, even as I respect Valencia's indie pedigree, I have to step back and question the street cred of that area.  I mean, Medjool is right around the corner for chrissake--pretty much the epitome of gentrification. Not that we should just throw our hands up and let the yuppies take over, but I'm not sure if the American Apparel outpost is really going to push things over the edge. I'm just sayin...

Meanwhile, I'm still pretty disgusted that this may be in the works. And those who feel similarly can check out the Stop American Apparel blog to see what they can do to stall the gentrification a little, if not stop it completely.

Finally, I offer hope in the form of a put-down: American Apparel isn't exactly the pinnacle of hipsterdom that it once was. The 70s porn look of their ads are played as are most of the silhouettes, and I sometimes feel like I'm in 2005 when I pass by their other storefronts. Which poses another question: If AA is built and becomes a supremely unpopular storefront on Valencia, is it because they aren't indie enough? Or is it because people figured out there are only so many ways you can wear a fucking t-shirt.