Look around (snerk) The Hamilton Shop

a whole store for Hamilton merchandise? seems a little unnecessary

macnyc said: "Isn't it a pop-up shop? I don't think it's permanent.

I think it looks nice!"

Right now, they say it will be there "through the holiday season." Not sure if that could change or is set.

Updated On: 10/15/16 at 04:42 PM

their $ to lose or make.

I think she meant they as in the people IN the store.

And isn't their 6Flags trip from LAST year? How many times is APP going to run that video with the terrible narration?

The merch line at the Richard Rogers is a sh*tshow...so if the demand is there then why not?

As a Hamilton usher I can tell you that there have been many people who come to the theatre, aren't seeing the show, but want to come in to buy merchandise. Of course that is something that can't happen. This has been happening a lot, so I think that the store is a good idea in that respect. They sell all the merch that's available at the theatre plus a lot of other stuff that is exclusive to the store. Still,at times I can't believe that it's a thing. But, here we are.

When I last saw Hamilton in July with my sister, I brought in the shirt (with receipt) that I bought three days earlier when I saw the show with my husband. After the show, I explained my purchase, my size issue and asked it could be exchanged for the same shirt in a larger size. Due to the madness going on at the merchandise counters, before they could say no or state their exchange policy, I was told "Ma'am, you are not allowed to be in here unless you've seen the show, who let you in?" In that instant, I felt my blood boil and travel up my legs to the top of my head. Oh I got HOT! LOL! I reached in my purse to produce my hard ticket and prove that I had been in attendance. I've purchased Hamilton tees at the theater before and never a sizing issue, thank goodness. This was my first experience in not just pick, pay and go.

So I am really glad this pop-up shop exists. If it can alleviate the stress to employees caused by waiting on the many patrons surrounding the counters pre-show, intermission and post-show. And if it gives a customer a better shopping experience, I am all for it. I wish the pop-up shop offered all of the color choices in tees the Creative Goods website carries.

It'll be a yogurt shop in five years...

Anakela said: "Islander_fan said: "As a Hamilton usher I can tell you that there have been many people who come to the theatre, aren't seeing the show, but want to come in to buy merchandise. Of course that is something that can't happen.

"

I did exactly that, with no problem. Granted it was back in the day, first or second week of previews maybe, but I wasn't seeing the show, went over to the theatre before that night's show ended, there was a small group of maybe 10 of us outside, and at the end of the show we were allowed into the theatre to buy merch, and I got my Yay Hamlet shirt. So it wasn't always "something that can't happen."

I've also done this during BC/EFA times of year at numerous shows - Wicked and the Hair revival (eta: and In the Heights, now that I'm thinking about it) off the top of my head. I've never known a show's merch booth to refuse a sale to someone who doesn't have a ticket.

The reason why you had no problem is because it was, like you said, a couple of weeks into previews. Hamilton now in terms of crowds and people's wanting a piece of it is totally different now than it was back in previews. Once the Hamilton phenomenon went into full gear, that changed pretty quickly. No ticket now means, no entry into the theatre for any reason at all. And, this is before the store was open. You make it sound like the people who run the merch stand will sell to anyone, anytime and don't care when it is.. They sell merch before the show, intermission and after. Other than those times, they are either on break or doing inventory etc. And, after the show, they wanna get the hell out of dodge just as much as the ushers do. I've bounced around subbing for my company for awhile before getting the steady gig at Hamilton. And, I can tell you, in the theatres I have worked at, I have never seen anyone allow anyone in without at ticket for any reason.

ETA: It's not like the people who sell merch get paid by commission and therefor need to sell a certain number of items. They get paid by the hour so it's not as if they are super eager to make a sale. As far as their pay goes, it doesn't matter if the security staff is nice enough to let you come in or not. At least on their end of things.

Updated On: 10/18/16 at 12:11 AM