With a Texan heart and an adventurer’s soul, AJ Vagabonds encourages everyone to “go outside, y’all!” And with their incredible collection of camp essentials, outdoor games, and picnic gear, we’re more than happy to oblige! We love their love for Dallas and the Oak Cliff community and can’t wait to introduce you to the outdoor enthusiasts behind the brand.
Hey neighbor! Thanks for sharing your business with us today! Can you please tell us a little about AJ Vagabonds and the work you do?
We are AJ Vagabonds and we provide outdoor gear, gifts and apparel that we design as well as featuring other sustainable local/national artists and brands that give back to important causes.
The business name comes from the founders Amy and Jason and it stems from their love of travel as well as a love for the under-appreciated wild areas of North Texas. We try to encourage people to be a vagabond, just taking time to explore without a real agenda.
We could all use a little more exploration in our lives! Tell us about the founders: Who are they and what inspired them to start the business?
Inspiration for the business came from Amy and Jason wanting to show their kids and the Oak Cliff neighborhood that we have an amazing bounty of urban wilderness and ecology that is underappreciated. We live in a city but we are still bound by the flows of nature and are a part of that flow not isolated from it. Jason is also a huge proponent of quality urban design that invites people to commune in a space, so we try to act as a visitors center in a way. We love suggesting other businesses in the area and explaining the history and geography of Oak Cliff.
What an amazing mission! We love that y’all are our neighborhood visitors center! Where are you located?
We are located at the corner of 8th and Bishop (336 W 8th St.) and love that we are a historic building that represents the rich history of old Oak Cliff.
That’s just kitty-corner from us! When did you open in the District?
We opened at the end of 2017.
Awesome! What are your hours?
Our hours are:
Mon-Thurs 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat 10am – 9pm
Sun 10am – 7pm
Thanks! How did you end up in Bishop Arts District?
Our founders were locals to the neighborhood and Jason still is, their first concept was Oddfellows, a lively watering hole and restaurant that serves as a hub for Oak Cliff families. They wanted to expand on that mentality when they opened AJ Vagabonds. A neighborhood gathering place for educational and inspirational events with a focus on the outdoors.
We love Oddfellows and think AJ Vagabonds is an amazing way to create even more connections in the neighborhood! What’s your favorite Bishop Arts historical fact/ trivia?
I love the fact that Oak Cliff and Bishop arts have always been a haven for those that don’t exactly fit with the ultra-polished and often white-dominated spaces that “north of the Trinity” Dallas abounds with. Historically it has been a place for newcomers, minorities, artists and those that Northern parts of Dallas often exclude.
That’s beautiful! It’s a place for everyone! What’s one product you sell that everyone needs?
I am obsessed with our Soma water bottles, they are super chic but functional and they give a portion of profits to clean water initiatives around the world.
Sounds like a great way to invest in your health and the hydration of others, too! Which Bishop Arts event is your favorite?
Of course Bastille Day!! It is always such a fun time and brings people from all over Dallas to make merry while learning little-known histories of the French Settlement in Oak Cliff that brought the first piano as well as beer brewing.
This neighborhood is full of surprises! Share the love: What’s your favorite Bishop Arts business?
We love Revelers Hall! We also reeealllly love Wild Detectives, our 8th street neighbor.
Music and coffee… it doesn’t get much better than that! Would you like to offer a limited-time discount coupon for Mosaic Makers Collective readers who discover you through our blog?
We can offer 10% off of any $30 purchase for people that mention the blog within two weeks of publishing date.
Thank you so much! Sounds like a great time to buy one of those Soma water bottles! We are so glad to have you as neighbors!
After your next shopping excursion at Mosaic Makers, be sure to check out AJ Vagabonds! And check out some of our other favorite Bishop Arts neighbors!