[media-credit name="Adrian Franco" align="alignleft" width="300"][/media-credit]
TrickGo grew out of the creative intuition of founder Matt Trigaux. As a freshman at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Trigaux made his first original graphic t–shirt and started wearing it around with no intention of selling his work. When people began to ask him about it, and to offer him money for replicas, he saw an opportunity to become an entrepreneur. At this point, he and his friends began selling hand printed t–shirts from his dorm room. As the idea took off, and sales kept climbing, he needed to expand.
With virtually no startup capital, he leased a cozy space between Washington and Rittenhouse squares and opened his store. When he started out, he only had enough money to pay his deposit and first month’s rent. With nothing left in the bank, he worked tirelessly all summer with his friends, who volunteered to help paint and fix up the store. As Matt recalls, “the store had this disgusting red color when we first came in here." Going into this project with no real knowledge of how to run a business, Matt and his partners had to learn the necessary skills as they went along. Over the last few years, Matt has been asked to share his entrepreneurial story at various high schools and colleges.
TrickGo offers a variety of graphic tees designed by Matt and his friends. The store also features the work of a new and upcoming local artist every month, including paintings, a mural and custom t–shirts. At the beginning of every new art exposition, Matt hosts a party in the store/gallery to bring attention and stir interest. In keeping with the store’s youthful spirit, this month’s exposition also features a locally brewed craft beer, in bottles with designs by Trigaux.
By working with his friends, spending many hours in the store himself, and having proudly “never advertised other than through word of mouth," Trigaux manages to offer merchandise at reasonable prices. Despite the store’s small size, it offers a wide variety of knickknacks, T-shirts, and jeans, and definitely merits a visit.
TrickGo 1135 Pine St. (215) 238–1207 What to look for: Graphic tees. Bottom line: Awesome taste of local art and style.
