Imagine a walking down a street that you’ve walked on COUNTLESS times and suddenly seeing the coolest looking store ever. There is no sign on the store but as you look through it’s glass windows you see black walls and shiny marble floors. Sneakers and magazines decorate the shelves and what seems like countless t-shirts. Not regular Rocawear or Sean John t-shirts; but shirts by upcoming designers that are unlike any other thing you’ve ever seen before.What is this place you ask?
This is where Damion Wongsang comes into play. Raised in Brooklyn and of Jamaican- Chinese background he always knew that having his very own business was one of his heart’s desires. Damion viewed entrepreneurialism as a way to meet different types of people; people who were ambitious, well- rounded and interesting.
Wongsong began his very own boutique named Cricket Wealth two years ago at a small location in East Flatbush and now has two locations!
Getting to this point was hard work but Wongsang is nowhere near finished!
As a Grand Manager for a reggae inspired clothing company named Riddim Driven affiliated with VP Records, Wongsang did pretty much everything. Realizing that he was working relentlessly for someone else lead him to begin looking into starting his own business; which he initially started as a side hustle. However, the stress that came along with trying to build the business made it necessary to finally quit his 9 to 5 and focus his full attention on Cricket Wealth and all its possibilities.
Wongsang feels that having a store is like having a laboratory, you can create a product/ test a product from the start and see what the response is from the people.
Products in his store are reasonably priced and he delivers to those of you who want to buy a look and enjoy finding and wearing independent brands that aren’t found everywhere [think rare treasures]. While his store is mainly catered to males—sneakers, jeans, tees, hoodies, etc; Wongsang does have a few cool pieces for females that are worth vying over --- ranging from dresses, cool tees and even cute handbags.
He sells independent designers whose brands fit the aesthetic of his store in addition to his own clothing lines. One is called Cricket Wealth, a t- shirt line designed by him. Another is called Yuki, a Japanese word that means 'snow' so it is inspired by white… it makes a person look cleaner and more pulled together, things that people in a affluent society flock towards. The other is called Cricket, which is a more classic look (think Ralph Lauren).
Why the name Cricket Wealth? Cricket, the world’s second largest sport, reminds him of Polo… both endurance sports played by those who live an affluent life. And both are sports in which you have to dress appropriately just to "enter the court" [did you see that episode of 'From G's to Gents'?].
His ‘A-HA’ moment? Coming back from Magic tradeshow in Vegas he shared a cab with someone, when he opened the trunk to take out his bags he saw a cricket bat inside. It was what really gave him the push to take his business venture seriously.
His dream? To expand, already has two locations one in Brooklyn and bigger one in Queens. Wongsang may even look into eventually morphing Cricket Wealth into a department store. Hey! Barney’s and Nordstrom’s also started out as small businesses but are now known all over.
Best thing about having a store? Being able to inspire the youth. They begin to look at him as a role model. They can see what he does and find solace knowing that they don’t have to be out on the street doing negative things, they can make bright future for themselves.
He is also meeting tons of new people, some that may become friends for life and some who just want to pick his brain for some knowledge.
What’s he working on next? Starting Playground NYC which will be a tradeshow for independent brands as well as a t-shirt printing press.
Check out Cricket Wealth!
Queens location: 129-05C Merrick Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11434
Brooklyn location: 3513 Church Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11203
2 screams:
i stopped by. i like it, he wasn't there though... it was some boys running it but yeah the aesthetic is real nice.
very nice write up... i saw that store before but i never went it cuz im always so busy but it def does catch your eye.. its really cool looking, lemme find out bk got some soho flava
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