Goods are available online at the Subports PortalMRKT, but Robison and Krupnick’s respective roots in performance art and photography have instigated a series of unconventional pop-up shops, which maximize the convenience of on-the-fly buying: At one, a clairvoyant helped customers select gifts; at another, goods were stashed inside hollow books to meet the restrictions imposed on street vendors in New York City. Coupled with their commitment to independent institutions—–the current crop of over 130 partners includes music venues, boutiques, bake-sale organizers, even yoga studios—–texting for treasures takes on a sense of adventure that you just can’t get from a trip to the mall.

Why text-to-buy?

Jacob Krupnick: It’s not designed for bulk buying at Walmart. You can only get one item per text message (except for event tickets). By making buying a more considered act and by working with independent businesses, we are encouraging more informed, susta

How has the service evolved since you launched a year ago?

We’ve gone from speaking to a handful of friends who are making things that we like to contacting more established creators to screening vendors who are approaching us pretty regularly. It’s exciting to have people become familiar with Subports and say, “Wow, I want to be a part of this. I can imagine ways of using this that could be totally fantastic.”

"Aaron is a goldmine find for Subports; he is truly a unique, under-the-radar craftsman. Aaron grew up working the land of the Oklahoma plains, and that farming sensibility plays into his wonderful handcrafted designs. No one else on the planet is doing the types of products Aaron is producing. Now based in Brooklyn, one of Aaron Linn's newest creations is a series of desk organizers from logs found in his NYC neighborhood (we know--trees here? Who knew). Each unit takes 4 weeks to hand-carve and features a lazy-Susan base and a built-in pencil sharpener. Looks great with his handmade Reclaimed Floorboard Scissors ("aaronlinnfloorscissors", $30.00) and the Trusted Sentiments Pencils from Et Al., Etc. ("etaletcsentiments", $9.50). Aaron's work is unbelievable and exclusive to Subports."

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So you’ve been learning from the people you work with?

All the time. Every new function that we’ve added has been in response to suggestions someone has put on a wish list or thought might be helpful. The best thing we can do is learn from the people who are using what we’ve designed.

What’s been the hardest part about getting Subports started?

Will Robison: Growing pains.

JK: For any small business—–and especially one with our ambitions—–it’s a challenge to develop at a rate that’s viable while preserving the values that are important to us.

A special product with a special story. PeaceBOMB bracelets are crafted from the reclaimed metal of Vietnam-era bombs dropped on Laos during the United States' conflict in Indochina. Developed through a social enterprise that supports sustainable development through design thinking, its collaborators include Naphia spoon makers, Helvetas’s Rural Income Through Sustainable Energy Project and ARTICLE 22. These bracelets not only represent an opportunity for artisan families to generate income, but also tell a story about their makers and the legacies of a shared history. Buy the bombs back!"" layout="undefined" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

Do you find yourself texting-to-buy often?

WR and JK: All the time.

WR: I think I’m the biggest customer for [Subports vendor] Other Music. I collect vinyl, and now it’s easier to buy than logging into iTunes, which is strange to wrap your head around. Other Music does a weekly email blast with a Subports code; I text it in, and the next day I have the LP.

JK: I buy a lot of gifts for people, especially around the holidays.

"I (Will) recently had a small dinner party with 5 people in my tiny Brooklyn apartment. After we ate, the single malt mysteriously filled up in our wine glasses and these amazing party hats sprouted on our heads. What was supposed to be a quiet dinner with friends turned into a rager of a party, and it was all due to these amazing hand crafted hats. Each set of 5 is different. You never know what you'll be getting when you order these from Heather. They take about 4 weeks to be crafted and sent out. Worth the wait and the party!" photo by Jacob Krupnick" layout="bleed" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

What’s the best part of your job?

WR: Thinking about ways of destroying retail and then rebuilding it. Taking mundane things—like customer service—and making them unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. I tell people that I’m a retail experimenter.

"Aaron Linn has hand crafted these very heavy note pad holders from authentic Brooklyn brownstone. For those of us who cannot own our very own Brooklyn brownstone apartment, we now have a chance to own a tiny piece of one. Very sturdy and well made." photo by Jacob Krupnick" layout="undefined" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

What’s next for Subports?

JK: The technology has a freedom to it that’s inspiring a lot of curiosity. WR: Everything we’ve been working on so far is just an example of what can be done. Once you have a code, you’ve got this renegade way to sell. All pathways are open.

Another great product for adorning letters is the Cabinet Magazine Book of Stamps. This treasure trove of artist made fake stamps is perfect for messing with the USPS or weirding out your recipients. This book is an absolute steal--we have two!"" layout="undefined" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

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