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With nary a shoe shop in sight, where's an Echo Park resident supposed to get a proper shoe fix? Husband-and-wife team Kevin and Bo Carney hope to fill the void with an intimate boutique tucked away in the foothills on a blossoming stretch of Sunset. With a well-edited collection of affordable men’s and women’s complementary apparel, Mohawk General Store is sure to become a favorite Eastside destination. We checked in with this stylish duo to get the scoop on the origins of MGS, L.A. style and—most importantly—shoes.
How did Mohawk General Store come about?
Bo Carney: We drove by the space as the ‘For Lease’ sign was being put up. We loved the space and the neighborhood and we had Generic Man shoes sitting in storage so we thought why not open a shoe store on this side of town?
Kevin Carney: We dreamt of a community gathering space where we can turn people on to new things—whether it be design objects, art, fashion, shoes, or music. It came true.
How did you choose the location for MGS? Why Echo Park?
KC: We wanted a location with no pressure. We also realize that there is an immense amount of creative, stylish, and like-minded people in Echo Park so we thought we could tap in.
BC: It is dynamic. There seems to be more room to do what you want to do without the pressures of the more established shopping areas in LA.
Kevin, you also started The Generic Man, how are you going to have time for both projects? And, why not open a store dedicated to just TGM shoes?
KC: The main reason is that I design shoes for men but the real market for shoes is for women (which we are launching a full blown line for women in Spring of '09). Also we plan that in the future I’ll have time to dedicate to The Generic Man because Bo is handling most of the business operations for Mohawk GS.
How do you feel about opening a boutique in our current economic climate?
BC: It's always smart to buy low and sell high right? It’s a challenge but I think that if you can make it through these circumstances you can make it through anything.
KC: I feel that anything is possible right now and it invigorates us. We have also been forced to use more local designers as we can get product quicker and have a closer relationship with the community in hopes that it will give them a forum to design new things.
What brands do you carry?
BC: The Generic Man, Slow and Steady Wins the Race, Repetto, Rachel Comey, Costalots, Super, F Troupe, Generic Surplus, Marais, Dolce Vita, Devotte, Bess, Jeffrey Campbell.
Do you only sell footwear or do you also have apparel?
BC: We do have a few brands that are modern and have a twist: Alex B., Mary Meyer, Rodebjer, Anzevino and Florence etc.
What are your favorite places to shop in Los Angeles?
BC: Thrift stores and Mohawk General Store.
KC: Amoeba Records. The Rose Bowl Flea Market—you never know what you will find.
What has been the most challenging part of opening a boutique?
KC: Installing floors and the 116 trips to Home Depot. Also keeping all the materials green...reclaimed flooring, low VOC paint etc.
BC: It's the first experience in retail for both of us so pretty much everything has been a challenge!
How would you define the MGS aesthetic?
BC: Understated but never boring.
KC: Disco on a budget.
Who do you look to for fashion inspiration?
BC: Tough question...anyone who is effortlessly stylish.
KC: William Perron, Martin Margiela, Greg Chapman, Decorative Art in Modern Interiors, Lovefingers, The Eyes of Laura Mars.
How would you describe L.A. style?
BC: Not bad, actually.
KC: Not comparable to any other part of the world. It's almost transparent (not in a bad way) it just has a subtleness that I love.
What are your favorite shoes?
KC: Dries Van Noten white patent tuxedo brogues.
BC: 'After the Party' flats by Margiela that are completely thrashed as part of the design. My mom thinks it’s the worst purchase in history.
What shoes are you wearing right now?
BC: Old beat up hiking boots with a high heel.
KC: A pair of grey suede wingtip sneakers from our newest collection, Generic Surplus. I try to wear my own designs as much as possible to see how they wear.
What are some shoe brands to watch?
BC: Generic Surplus and Marais—super chic and cheap basics, SS09 will be their first season.
KC: Generic Surplus and The Generic Man for women.
Jaime Honkawa is Associate Style Editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
