streetwearsmart

Store Owner, Commerce student

Ladies, want to keep the spirit of the CariWest Festival alive? Head over to Room 322 for a pair of Reeboks, featuring the popular red, yellow and green colours of the Caribbean.

Room 322, located on trendy 124th Street, is the domain of 24-year old Robert Tyndale and his older brother, Nathan. The store is all about authentic streetwear—apparel, footwear and accessories—inspired by youth subcultures like hip-hop, skate, music and art. It appeals to young men and women who want hot unique styles that match their personalities.

When Robert graduated from high school in 2005, he began his full time career as a professional video game player, representing Canada at several tournaments. He traveled from Japan to Singapore, from France to Italy and all over North America. The various styles and fashions of the places he visited caught his interest… his fascination with fashion took root and grew.

Upon his return to Edmonton, Robert began his four year commerce degree with a major in marketing at Grant MacEwan, later transferring to the University of Alberta. Following repeated suggestions from Nathan that they open a store to sell the kind of clothing that attracted them on their travels, Room 322 opened its doors in January 2008.

“Room 322 is a lifestyle, streetwear boutique. We try to bring in different types of clothing and footwear from different lifestyles from all over the world, here to Edmonton. We like to bring in clothing from places like New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Europe… clothing that you can’t find anywhere else in Edmonton.

“Nathan and I just find it so interesting how fashion changes and reverts to how it was a couple years ago or how it was in the ’80s. We love the whole culture of fashion.”

The inventory has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 18 months, obviously filling a niche market. Robert recently launched Room 322’s online store, something that, as a young entrepreneur, he understands is essential to ongoing success.

In addition to running the store and approaching the final year of his commerce degree, Robert is highly involved in his community, volunteering with the Jamaican Association of North America and the National Black Coalition of Canada.

He is passionate about his work, and hopes to expand across the city and province in the years to come.

“I love my job. Every time we get an order in, opening the box is just like Christmas.”

- Written by Lauren Henrie, Edmontonians Sept 2009