All's Quiet On The Western Front Monday, September 6th, 2004: Jay And Silent Bob's Secret Stash, 1024 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, California stands at the ready to receive its first batch of fans on the morrow. Word was that personnel were manning the store until 4am the previous evening to get things ready for the coming crowds. When I asked co-owner Bob Chapman how many people he was expecting, he said, "How ever many people we plan for, we expect to get more." He was right.

Touching Jay...Up An artist applies the finishing touches to the mural work on the front of the Stash on Monday afternoon.

Firsties There's always one in every lineup...or, in this case, seven. These guys drove over ten hours to get to the Stash at 5am on Tuesday morning to claim their spot in ViewAskew history: first in line at the new west coast Stash. Word to the wise: While you don't have to show up quite as early these crazy cats, I advise you to show up as soon as you can at the any future Stash events in which Kevin and Jay and company are involved. Unfortunately, there were a few ugly phone calls from people who showed up late, or who had to work who could not get into line. Sour grapes, yes, but perhaps a bit understandable. Next time around, take the day off, folks. Ask anyone who went yesterday...it's worth it!

The Calm Before The Swarm Inside the store, the signing table sits ready to host the DVD signing planned for the day. Behind the table are the boxes upon boxes of DVD's on hand for signing. Fans entered the store in groups of about twenty, purchased either Jersey Girl and / or Clerks, and took their receipt to a line to get their stuff signed. At the beginning of the day, folks could get as much swag signed as they brought (within reason, of course) but towards the end of the day, because of time constraints, the enormous crowds, and the physical exhaustion of those who were signing, limits eventually had to be enacted.

Catching Up Jennifer Schwalbach Smith and young Miss Harley Quinn Smith greet Brian O'Halloran as Marilyn Ghigliotti looks on. Harley and Jen hung out and mingled most of the day. Best of luck on your first day of Kindergarten today, Harley!

Happy Chappy Store Co-Owner and Graphitti Designs Honcho Bob Chapman puts on his best face for attendees. Mr. Chapman and his capable crew had the store in snappy shape, with tons of excellent displays of memorabilia, and a very organized retail face. As you'll see when I get the time to deliver more photos of the event, this Stash, just like its East coast counterpart, definitely merit's a visit. Keep in mind, too, that Jason Mewes is rumored to be working there before too long, so those of you who didn't get your photo op today can stop by in the future and chat Mr. Mewes up.

They Are Supposed To Be Here Today... Jeff Anderson and Brian O'Halloran ready themselves for the throngs of fans who've shown up to throw their support behind the new Clerks X DVD. O'Halloran and Anderson have a great deal to say about their roles and feelings about CLERKS 2: THE PASSION OF THE CLERKS...come back soon to read all about it! (Hey folks, I have a day job too!)

Art Imitates Life... or is that the other way around? A stunned looking Brian O'Halloran revisits a familiar theme from the movie that made him a hero to throngs of slackers: CLERKS. I did check the store's front doors at 7AM; much to my relief, there was no gum stuck in the locks.

O'Hecklin' Brian O'Halloran heads out to joke with fans as the opening of the store is postponed for a little under an hour while the final preparations are made for fans to enter.

Breaking The Seal Kevin Smith pulls down the posters that have been blocking the glass entryway to the Stash ever since work began on it several months ago.

Workin' Hard...Hardly Clerkin' Several members of the re-united family of folks who put CLERKS together, from left: Brian O'Halloran (Dante), Jeff Anderson (Randal), Marilyn Ghigliotti (Veronica), Kevin Smith (Silent Bob/Director/Writer), Jason Mewes (Jay), and Scott Mosier (Producer). More Stash related shenanigans to come...stay tuned!

Check Out Stash Smash! - Part 2 here!

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