Prototype

This store bounces around alot. in pearl ridge, first it was where tj max is now than moved twice to its current location next to the animation magic store. was kinda disappointed that they no longer had the dope brands like skanssy, disszit, kid robot etc. they just have some unknown brands that I don’t hear about from friends they do still have some dope shop tees though wound up buying a couple of those. customer service was great the worker helped with the size I wanted and we talked story a bit about the holidays made me feel comfortable enough to want me to go shop there again. I would give prototype a more higher ranking than 3 if they only brought back the brands they had back in the days…“crossing fingers”

The first sales associate that helped me didn’t bother to look in the back for my size in shirt, but I was later approached by another named josh and he found my size and was very helpful.

Being one of the last prototype stores I actually know of, it’s always a good experience going here. Problem is that the associates won’t help you really when you walk in, they just sit at their station but come on, if you really looking for some clothes you gotta be big boys and girls when you come in to the store so just look and pick what you want. I enjoyed the overall experience cuz I got to just walk around and look for some of the stuff I wanted to get, especially when there are brands that people can’t really appreciate since they not really in-​tune with the lesser known street brands. So I would say yeah, this is a great place to go if you looking for chill street clothes but if you want the whole ambiance of the staff greeting and stuff, most likely won’t be happening here.

I applaud management for being equal opportunists and hiring mute employees. I’ve been here on several occasions and noticed the same mute employees. I’ve never communicated with them, but if I did it might be difficult as I don’t know any sign language. I assume they are working their way through college since they are always busy on their computer taking their online classes. They look so caught up that they miss customers walking past them and around the store. I wanted to purchase a couple of shirts one time, but didn’t want to bother them in their studies. If you enjoy the experience of buying streetwear online at a higher price, but in an actual brick and mortar store then this place is for you.

When i went there the associates were sitting down no hi or hello. I walked pass them too and still nothing. My bf walked pass the second time and still no hi or hello. Continue full on stories. Bad customer service. Good products but you’ll lose business if customer service sucks.

Cool hip shirts in this place. Need wait for sales as they are very expensive. One shirt can cost you $ 30

Shopping for streetwear shirts & clothing can sometimes be a little bit of a challenge in and around some of the malls even on Oahu. Most places that dabble in skater streetwear or similar styles tend to be like HIC or T&C, which means that you won’t find much outside of the really mainstream brands (think LRG, Stussy, Element, Obey, etc.). This is bad if you want to wear something a little fresh or edgy, and this is where a place like Prototype comes in and fills the niche well.
Prototype was formally located on the first floor of Pearlridge Uptown, right on the side of what is now TJ Maxx. Ever since a few years ago, they’ve relocated into the space that was occupied by The Hobby Company and have been there ever since. What is great about this shop is that they still carry a good amount of streetwear & skater brands such as The Hundreds, Akomplice, Diamond Supply Co, Stussy and a few others that are lesser known. In addition to all of this however, they also carry a few vinyl toys from such designer companies as Kid Robot which you can see in the various display cases around the store.
One thing I really like about this place is that they have a good variety of brands and designs from each brand. In most cases, some of the designs I’ve seen them carry tend to be more unique or rare compared to the other shops that carry the same brands. For example, they had a few shirt designs from The Hundreds that I haven’t seen anywhere else that also sells their clothes. Another thing great about the store is that it is very clean and things always look organized. The staff is also friendly and willing to help, so feel free to ask for what you’re looking for.
So, I have to give much props & credit to the buyer for this particular location for having good taste and knowing what to pick up for the store that isn’t seen everywhere else on the island. For fresh & new streetwear styles, I come here despite the fact that they also have a location in Ala Moana Center too. Although their selection has gone down slightly since they moved from their original location, they still always have the goods I’m looking for! I will admit that it’s sometimes difficult for me to not leave this place without wanting to buy at least one new shirt with a fresh design on it!

THIS IS THEE SPOT!!! The staff is ALWAYS very friendly, helpful and they know their sh*t! More importantly… they look out for the youth and the locals. You have GOT to support a company that supports you; Protoype is that company.
They carry DOPE brands, all the latest streetwear and keep all merch at a reasonable price. Plus the Pearl Ridge location is very open and bright. It’s a very comfortable place to shop and get whatever you need to look fresh. I make it a point to ALWAYS stop in this place and the Ala Moana location when im on the island. RESPECT!

This store doesn’t have the best customer service but has a great selection of street wear threads. I can usually find a few shirts every visit for my boyfriend but as for me very limited items for women. Love the floor mats by the fitting rooms.

I actually missed their old uptown location which is now occupied by TJ Max. Upon moving to the other side of Pearlridge I noticed a slight change in customer service. Well bad became worse when I went to check out some new Dissizit brands and a tall young caucasian employee (not Kevin nor the other tall business partner) was obviously in a bad mood. He did not greet me or any of the customers that walked in within that 10 minute span. Moreover he ignored me and another different customer when it was time to check out. I used to spend some serious cash every month there but after that unpleasant experience I’ll never set foot in that store again. Sorry Kevin your a cool dude but check your employees.

Gentlefawn, Obey, Married to the Mob, and Stussy are just some of the brands featured at Prototype. There are a variety of cool shirts and tops for both men and women, but service needs A LOT of work. Working retail isn’t just knowing the product or ringing people up, it’s inclusive with «selling» the product and customer service. Obviously, the workers at Prototype have no concept of customer service bc I was neither approached nor greeted until l was standing in front of the register area ready to be rung up. I was completely overlooked bc the workers were more concerned with figuring out what to eat for lunch, among other personal things.
Aside from the service, my only partial gripe would be the prices. I feel like Prototype is slightly overpriced, but I understand the difficulty with owning a local shop and trying to «make it» against all odds… I get it. But if the service is crappy AND the products are overpriced, how do they expect to survive? There are a ton of other urban clothing stores around the island, and a vast majority of the merch sold here are available online…
The only thing actually worth a look would be their sale section. I found an Obey tank dress for $ 20 and a pair of Married to the Mob tights for $ 35.
Unilocal 365 — #240/​366

To be honest, I only went in here cause my daughter was gettting a gift for a friend. The store has some cute clothing items but some that are a bit odd also. There is not a lot to choose from in there like in other stores, so it is a place for that one different item. The customer service is nothing to write home about. When we walk in the staff kept with their personal conversation and never greeted us or even looked in our direction. It wasn’t until we strood right infront of one guy that he asked if we needed anything. Well, hello we aren’t just standing here staring at you for the fun of it. It’s not like they were super busy either, there were only two other people in the whole store.

Love the brands they carry. Always refer my local & out of state friends to this shop. Definately one of my favorite stores!

I came here for the first time since they moved from there downtown location and it was just aight. The thing that really bothered me the most was the staff and customer service which was just nothingness. I am so used to coming into retail clothing stores and stuff with the staff greeting the customer but I got nothing. I was the only customer at the time who walked in cruising and checking out the stuff and all the workers did was just talk story and talk about NFL players. These kids/​young workers nowadays got no sense of good olé’ customer service I tell ya. What if I had a question. Other than that their stuff is pretty sick. They got some pretty dope urban street wear. Prices are quite pricey but that’s the price you pay for the style nowadays.
Unilocal 365 Challenge #61/​365

If you think you are having a bad day, just stop by here to see someone who is even grumpier than you! I shop Quite a bit and was floored by the bad service here. While doing a return the employee grunted four words at me («What did you say?!»). With online stores offering same items, why the he’ll would anyone come here?!?

This is the best place to get your Vinyl fix!
One of the few stores in Hawaii to cater to the vinyl toy market! Aside from Prototype, there is also Split Obsession in Hawaii Kai & Ala Moana and Animation Addict in Ala Moana as well.
I dig Prototype because aside from being able to cater to my secret obsession with vinyl toys they also have great artwork and some pretty sick clothing lines in there! The prices are far more comparable here than in that of other shops in bigger malls and of course when you collect that is a HUGE plus. The staff has always been helpful and thankful when I’ve made my purchases which makes me wonder about Lester T’s experience…
In any case, Prototype get’s my 2 thumbs up! =0)

They have good products but they are over priced. It doesn’t help that the workers are stuck up though. If I do go there it will be strictly for business, nothing more nothing less.