(Photo: Brad Paris)

There are two Odins. How are they different?
The East Village customer is a regular. Soho gets lots of tourists and randoms. I really like it when old men come in. My last sale was to a 70-year-old who tried on twenty T-shirts and bought seven.

What’s so great about the T-shirts?
We’re the only store that carries S. Valentine, a New York artist who did an Odin-logo tee for us. He’s really into hipster glam rock. We also have Rogues Gallery’s Hexham and Exhumed tees, which are produced in Maine, so the vibe is nautical. And Comme des Garçons’ diffusion line, BBlessing, and Taavo.

Do you sell collectibles?
People come for the newest Comme des Garçons wallets: The latest one has reptile-embossed leather. The resin belt buckles by Shane are pieces of art. Graphically, they’re so layered. There’s one that depicts a deer, its shadow, and a road extending behind it.

What’s good in the heat?
Fedoras by Stetson and Eugenia Kim, and a light cotton Alexandre Herchcovitch skull shirt, which feels like linen.

Do the boys ever throw tantrums over clothes?
I once witnessed a couple of men arguing over the last poncho. It was awkward.

Odin, the Norse god, had a flying horse. How do you get around?
The L, but for the summer, I’m going to buy a bike at the Avenue A flea market.

Related:

• Archive: “Ask Shop Clerk”
• Articles by Denise Penny
• Table of Contents: Jun 12, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!