Jonathan Brooks X Corner Store Goods

Creating a brand takes time, talent, and heart. True lovers of fashion and art seek brands that provide messaging and imagery they can relate to and feel something from. Jonathan Brooks has continuously delivered storytelling through fashion and is growing Corner Store Goods into a movement much bigger than t-shirts and hoodies.

I’ve known Jon and the Corner Store Goods brand for a while and am always in awe of his work. I was drawn to its unique designs and reflection of life in Detroit and black culture. It’s so refreshing to find such thought and passion in a brand. I had the pleasure to feature Jon in honor of 313 Day and find out what’s good in his world!

Who is Jonathan Brooks?

From the Northend of Detroit, I'm a product of DPS and Michigan State University. Self-taught visual designer & always looking to improve. I can't say I have too many interesting facts about myself these days other than I got promoted in elementary school & was one of the few Black kids in the city playing hockey.

What drives you?

What drives me is the satisfaction I get when I create something & bring it to life. Seeing an idea come from a sketch to the physical is always gratifying. I love being able to connect with people through my craft.

How did you get here?

I'd say what got me where I am is just persistence. I just continued to work on my craft, trusting in my ideas and not stopping. Keeping at it & connecting with people who are genuine and believe in me as much as I believe in myself.

What does the city mean to you and how does that play into you as a person and your brand?

Detroit means everything to me. We get a lot of hate from outside the city & it's truly one of the most unique experiences in the world to me. There aren't too many places where Black people can feel comfortable no matter what part of the city they're in. We're not confined to neighborhoods. To me the whole city is ours.

What is Corner Store Goods?

Corner Store Goods is a contemporary streetwear brand looking to tell stories through design inspired by my upbringing in Detroit. It came to fruition with an idea, some of my closest friends, and a few hundred dollars.

What do you want to convey with the brand?

I always see the aesthetic as a work-in-progress and something I'm looking to establish and re-establish all the time with the way I try to incorporate culture within the brand. Ultimately, I want to convey a connection to my experiences and people who share them and look like me. I hope to provide a feeling for people. Whatever that may look like depending on the project. I definitely want people to feel something from my work.

What’s next for you and your brand?

Next for me personally is just to continue to work on things that I'm invested in. That I love. As far as my brand, I want to continue to work with my people on improving it as a clothing brand and build community through it.

What’s something you want people to take away from you after this feature?

It's cliche but you really do have to keep going. It's something I live by & I'm still trying to get further than where I am now. It's important to enjoy the process and small victories on the way too.

Shop the latest 313 Day Tee and many other drops in the future at jonxgenius.com and cornerstoregoods.com.