On the Bandwagon

"I have a kiosk -- actually, it's a cart -- in the Mission Valley mall," says assistant bank manager Persis Knipe, 28. Named My Stuff, Knipe's outdoor CD and clothing store opened July 1.

"[The concept] came to me on a Sunday afternoon, after I had been on MySpace for hours. I noticed a lot of [recording] artists and [clothing] designers who were always promoting their stuff on MySpace. I figured it would be good to get all this stuff in one place."

Knipe pays $2100 a month to lease a cart near Macy's. The last mall kiosk to carry local music was opened in April of last year at Fashion Valley's mall; singer/songwriter Greg Laswell's All the Rest Records closed after five months. He carried his CDs through consignment agreements. Knipe says she buys CDs outright from musicians who show heavy MySpace activity.

"I am taking a risk, but I think the concept is good. I have very good credit, so I got good financing." Knipe, who will keep her day job, made a commitment to operate My Stuff for at least three months. She would like to hear from musicians who have substantial MySpace traffic and who would like to be represented at My Stuff (www.myspace.com/mystuffcali.)