UnKosher Market, the 21st century version of a Judaica store, opened its virtual doors about a month ago and the shmata shop has taken off since, selling cut-off tanks with Jewish-themed phrases — like “kiss my tuchis” and “totes koshe” — by the thousands.
Founders, Shiran Teitelbaum and Alice Blastorah sold out of their t-shirts in less than a month on product launch.
The small-scale venture started as a goodie-bag gift from a friend’s Jewish conversion party, co-owner Shiran Teitelbaum said.
But after partygoers’ Instagram photos in their new tribal gear garnered attention from the public, Teitelbaum said, she and her business partner, Alice Blastorah, thought they’d sell a few.
Blastorah, the genius behind the designs, wrote up more Jewish-themed puns and the two took to Etsy. When the shirts sold out within a few days to buyers worldwide, Blastorah and Teitelbaum realized they’d have to start thinking bigger.
“It’s actually crazy,” Teitelbaum said with a giggle. The two nearly sold out of their 1,000-shirt stock in less than a month after closing their Etsy shop and launching their personal site.
With the help of Shiran’s family friend, the store’s investor, Glenn Feldmen, the business took off. The shop currently showcases seven designs, selling at $48 a piece, and the girls plan to expand.
“Right now, we have so many people contact us about wholesale. We’re kind of figuring out our strategy with where we want to [sell] them,” Teitelbaum said.
The girls also plan to make men’s wear, baby gear and tote bags, though Teitelbaum said they’re in no rush to release new items.
Besides running a shop for Jewish and Jewish-loving Millenials, both Teitelbaum and Blastorah hold full-time jobs with advertising agencies in Los Angeles. Teitelbaum said their growing venture will soon require a couple extra hands to help run the show.
And though Teitelbaum said a brick-and-mortar location could be in their future, the two are just enjoying the positive feedback for now.
“We could write funny shirts that don’t have to be Jewish,” Teitelbaum said. “But that’s what makes us stand apart.”
Want to surprise a friend or loved one with an UnKosher shirt of their own? Visit http://unkoshermarket.com/ and take a peek at their selection.
