03/16/2025
Repost from
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Photo caption: The Ariyapakdee twins, Poy (left) and Ari, the owners of TRY Studio, a boutique on Irving Street near Funston Avenue, both work multiple jobs to keep their entrepreneurial dreams alive. Photo by Judy Goddess.
From Thailand to the Sunset District, Ariyapakdee Twins Succeed by TRYing
By Judy Goddess
Potted plants and a rack of colorful shirts welcome visitors to TRY Studio, a new Sunset District store crammed with vintage goods. Once inside, visitors are greeted with carefully selected clothing, jewelry and gift items as far as the eye can see.
TRY Studio is owned and staffed by twins Ari and Poy Ariyapakdee, originally from Thailand. Most days of the week – except for Wednesdays when they are closed – one of the twins can be found behind the counter. Their goods come from estate sales, other secondhand stores and some items even come from the market in Ban Phi, their small farming village in Northeast Thailand.
“It’s good for our village, and we love introducing our customers to our country,” Poy said. The next time the sisters visit their family in Thailand, they plan to return with more purses and baskets.
Sunday Streets introduced the Ariyapakdee twins to the Sunset. They had exhibited their vintage selections at other markets in Oakland and Walnut Creek, but the reception they received at the Inner Sunset market was special.
“Our booth was very successful, and the people were so friendly. We felt it would be a good place to open a store,” Ari said.
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