Iconic LA streetwear brand The Hundreds has shut down its flagship store on Fairfax, as many retailers in the city find themselves grappling with the pressures of running a brick-and-mortar operation. Co-founders Bobby Kim and Ben Shenassafar, who started the company back in 2003, have decided to focus on their online presence and global retail partnerships, a move that mirrors a broader trend among retail business owners facing an ever-evolving commercial landscape.
Opened at Fairfax and Rosewood avenues in 2018, the store became a staple for those immersed in streetwear culture. The Hundreds' distinctive style pays homage to 90s workwear, and California's subcultures, a fashion direction that garnered them success and led to collaborative projects with names like NBA, Adidas, Disney, and Pokémon. Despite the physical store's closure, which the brand announced over the weekend, their apparel and products will continue to be available online and through retail partners worldwide, according to FOX LA.
Kim, also known as Bobby Hundreds, and Shenassafar, have not provided a specific reason for the storefront closure. However, a pattern has been emerging in Los Angeles, with rising commercial rents, and, increased crime being cited by many business owners as the backbone of their decisions to close shop. Shenassafar's entrepreneurial pursuits extend beyond The Hundreds, including ownership of The Benjamin Hollywood restaurant.
Anticipation is growing surrounding 'Burnfield,' a forthcoming half-hour drama series chronicling the experiences of individuals like Justin Chon, Bobby Hundreds, and producer Garrett Basch in the streetwear scene. The show, as reported by Deadline in December 2024, promises to offer a glimpse into the world that The Hundreds has been an integral part of. As an original face of LA streetwear culture, The Hundreds' transition might reflect a wider shift in the industry as it continues to navigate the volatile tides of retail in the digital age.
The brand's departure from its physical venue was also marked by a post on Kim's official Instagram account. "The Hundreds Los Angeles FLAGSHIP is now closed. You can continue to find @thehundreds and @adambomb stocked in our Online Shop and at our retail partners worldwide," read the farewell post, echoing the sentiment of continuity through change for the beloved streetwear label.
