How to Be Outside, Inside featuring Terrill Kirk
The CRATE co-founder, Terrill Kirk, keeps it super simple and fills his New York with business, fabric, and good food.
Photo by @donthecameaguy.
It’s been just over a decade since Terrill Kirk and co-founder Tyrell Oliver launched their Far Rockaway boutique-turned-clothing brand, The CRATE. The original T-shirts the brand is known for are quintessentially New York — just like Kirk’s approach to how he spends his time: a little work, a little play, and a little elevated cuisine. The entrepreneur gives us an inside peek at some of his favorite spots to visit and dine.
Okayplayer: When you want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, where do you go in NYC?
Terrill Kirk: I spent so much time OUTSIDE when I was really young, that outside for me could just be seeing family or hanging out with the homies. Who’s lighting the grill? I keep it very simple.
Where do you go when you want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by crowds?
I’ll prolly keep it local. Go walk the water down by Center Blvd in LIC. It’s very dope energy around there, from the people having picnics to people running. I’m not big on crowds unless it’s my party (Missing Ingredient, of course).
What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?
Top of the top, I go to the gym or early morning run outside, and Sunnyside Bros Cafe, right after (one of the top breakfast spots in NYC, just go see for yourself). Next, I’m in front of the laptop, strategizing and trying to figure out how to get some money. I don’t think people understand that entrepreneurship requires consistent talking all day, so I’m literally in front of the laptop and on the phone trying to connect one to two.
Always working on The CRATE R&D, so I might hit the Fashion District to check out fabrics mid-afternoon. Then link with my dawg, Curtains for SugarFish, or my homie Felton in Flatbush for Risbo! I always tell people SugarFish is the McDonald's of sushi, and Risbo is in another world of its own; they have the best rotisserie chicken you will ever taste. I’ll bet anyone!
Back in the house. G'nite.
