First things first
Shutters up, coffee on, and we're officially open for business.
Liberty's getting us started for the day, with Sebz keeping her company and a much-needed kick-start coffee doing its thing. Across the road, VinylPunkt records is opening up too, while the postie's already making his way up the street. Everyone's getting moving.
There's a certain point in the morning when the shutters go up and the place starts to feel like itself again. A bit of fresh air, familiar faces, a quick catch-up and the usual question of who's actually awake yet.
The HIP HOP THURSDAYS sign is already on the wall. Just in case anyone needed reminding what sort of place they've walked into.
The staff room situation
Of course, opening time isn't the only important part of the working day. There's also the staff-room brew.
Liberty's found herself a comfortable spot, hoodie on, feet up and a cuppa in hand. Sebz is over by the kettle, mid-conversation with someone just out of shot, and whatever's being discussed seems to be going down well.
There's a good atmosphere about the place today. Plenty of chat, a few laughs and nobody in any particular rush to make the morning more serious than it needs to be.
And we're not saying Liberty's got a favourite person to talk to, but that is a very happy-looking face.
Just another day at DISTRICT.
That's pretty much life here. The doors open, the coffee gets finished, the music goes on and the day finds its own rhythm.
We're here for the clothes, the graphics, the music and all the street culture that brings it together. But the people are a big part of it too. The little conversations, the in-jokes, the familiar faces across the road and those ordinary moments that end up being the best bit of the day.
Not every story needs a big announcement. Sometimes it's enough to open up, get the kettle on and enjoy being where you are.
Anyway, the shutters are up.