The Original 'Brooklyn' T-Shirt Store (and Still the Best)

Walking around this city, it's nearly impossible not to come across someone wearing a shirt that says "Brooklyn" on it, in some way, shape, or form.

They're ubiquitous, sold everywhere from sidewalk tables to high-end boutiques. But do you know where the trend started? Right here in Park Slope, at , on Seventh Avenue between 10th and 11th streets. 

Owner Carl Manco grew up in Park Slope, and ran the baseball and basketball programs at St. Saviour's before working for Paragon Sporting Goods on Broadway for 13 years. Then, in 1988, he had an epiphany. 

"Every town has a little store where you can buy a t-shirt with the name of the town on it. I realized that Brooklyn had nothing like that, and it was starting to become trendy," he said. "I saw some changes coming to my neighborhood, so I came back here and opened the shop up."

Shirts in all colors and sizes are sold here, but the main theme is always Brooklyn, and Park Slope in particular.

"We develop all our own logos, and there's really something for everybody," he told me. "We control all the inventory, and we design and print everything ourselves."

Designs range from the straightforward to outlandish, with one of the more popular sellers depicting King Kong on the Brooklyn Bridge. "We keep it simple here," said Manco. "We know people aren't really into rhinestones these days."

He runs the shop with his brother Anthony, and they keep their store immaculately clean. Without a website, Manco isn't certain how so many people know about his store. 

"We don't advertise, we have no online store, but tourists from all over the world come here to shop for tee shirts," he said. "I have no idea how they find us! We once sold a Dodgers hat to the Dalai Lama! I'll be up in the Hamptons and I'll see someone wearing my shirt! It's a great feeling."

A large portion of their business comes from local sport teams, who have their uniforms printed up by the shop. He's good friends with the landlord (Manco was once his little league coach), so the rent has remained low enough that Manco hasn't had to raise prices in years.

"All our t-shirts are ten bucks. Cotton's gone up in price recently, but I'll die before I raise my prices," he said.

Manco also sells some sporting goods like baseball bats and gloves, but the bulk of the business comes from those looking for a Brooklyn-branded t-shirt, including young mothers dressing up their babies. 

For Manco, and his loyal customers, these are more than just t-shirts and hoodies. 

"I see guys walking around with 'Aeropostale' in big letters on their shirt" he said. "Why be a walking billboard for Aeropostale when you could be a walking billboard for Brooklyn?"