An original Fuel Cafe T-shirt, circa 1994.

It's true: Koppa's feeds the planet. Maybe even a few aliens, too.

I'm biased, but I think this old-school OnMilwaukee.com T-shirt is fab.

Classic East Side T-shirts

Published Jan. 11, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.

This week, I plan to buy a commemorative Atomic Records T-shirt because the indie music shop, which opened in 1985, announced last month that it's closing. I'll add this T-shirt to my small but adored stack of classic East Side T-shirts.

My all-time favorite local T is my forest green "I'm Hooked On Oriental Drugs" shirt that I bought the day before the iconic pharmacy went out of business. At the time, I also had a light blue shirt just like it, but bought the extra one to have as a keepsake. I'm glad I did because around 1997, a former roommate snagged the light blue version.

My Fuel Café shirt is at least 13 years old, and it shows. I might have to retire this classic black-with-white-lettering gem because I don't want to completely trash it. After all, I plan to will it to my grandchildren.

My Koppa's Farwell Foods shirt is eight or nine years old, and I still love it, even though the capped sleeves are dated now. Finally, I included the OnMilwaukee.com shirt because we've created a number of really cool shirts, but this was my first OMC T-shirt and remains my very favorite to this day.

Certainly, there are many other time-honored East Side T-shirts out there, so if you have one or know of one, fill us in via the Talkback feature.

Talkback

Talkbacks

nmichalets | April 21, 2011 at 5:14 p.m. (report)

I still have my WMSE t-shirt I bought at a record store 20 years ago! I love it! I also have my Fuel shirt from 15 years ago. I am very jealous about the Oriental Drugs t-shirt. I've always wanted one. That is an awesome collection. :)

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GreenerMilwaukee | Jan. 12, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. (report)

Sometimes you just nail it. "Im hooked on Oriental Drugs" was one of the best regional shirts in modern times. Thanks!

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unibobber | Jan. 12, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (report)

I CLOSED WOLSKI'S

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brunocarlson | Jan. 12, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. (report)

Urban Outfitters has T-Shirt frames that I love. I have used several of them for my local collectible T's. I highly recommend them, just make sure they are away from direct sunlight otherwise they will get sun bleached. Online they have black, steel, or wood online, but the store may have more, not sure.

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