To the Utmost – richmondmagazine.com

Streetwear brand The biggest Co. It got its name in 2011 when founder Jermaine Edwards, a native of Richmond, was searching for an unmistakable title for his design.

“Me and my buddy were just looking in the dictionary and that was what we thought was sick,” says Edwards.

The maximum meaning of “extreme” reflects the style behind the label, combining his youth with Edwards’ passion for the long-standing skateboarding clothing brand. “I’ve always wanted to have a clothing company, and I think skateboarding made it a skateboarding clothing company,” says Edwards. “I always wanted to set up a store.”

After years of spending Richmond and online-only pivots for the past five years, a reimagined storefront opened in late February on 1312 Bainbridge Street around Richmond’s Manchester.

During these online-only years, Edwards ran his business from his nearby Mayo Island office. “I had offices in many places, but my favorite was from Mayo Island,” says Edwards. Manchester was a natural fit when he decided to go back to bricks and mortar.

“I just liked the area,” Edwards said. “I drove on this day… there was someone else at the time. I looked it up and it will be for the lease like in the next few months.”

The largest Co.’s first store was located in the arts district at 115 W. Broad St. from 2014 to 2020 and closed early in the Covid-19 pandemic. The largest Co. operated stores in Los Angeles from 2015 to 2018.

With a direct return, Edwards and other biggest employees hope to continue to support Richmond’s skateboarding culture, reflecting the city in which the brand was built. “There’s a rich skating scene in Richmond,” says Larry Parker, the brand’s production manager. “The biggest one is Richmond’s classic.”

Edwards wants to make use of physical space, including release parties and first Friday events that perform their first Friday events once a month. The first first Friday event will feature performers City Boy, Hackle, Hacking Mill and DJ J. Frvncis on April 4th from 6 to 9pm.

Brand release parties will launch new clothing and accessories. “When you make a release, you try three different releases [graphics]. I’m about to release hoodies, accessories and hats,” Edwards says.

Most of the biggest designs are made by Edwards himself, but it also includes designs from Edwards’ former business partner Tom Hart, as well as frequent committees from artists. Monthly releases can also include a wider range of products, including jeans, mugs, and tote bags.

“There’s more in store than online, so new ones are always first in the store,” Edwards says.

The shift from online to brick and mortar was a welcome change, but it brought a tweaked vision for the brand, moving away from skate-specific products and towards more original clothing and accessory designs.

Edwards said bringing the store home to his Richmond home was far more relaxed than running a business online and gave him the opportunity to return to his roots.

“I feel like a lot of people feel like they have to leave town to make something, but that’s not true,” Edwards says.

The biggest Co. Open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm at 1312 Bainbridge St. in Manchester.