Kanye West pop-up store proves popular in SF Chinatown

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Many people know him for his music, some for his famous wife, but not the hundreds of people who showed up in San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood Friday.  They also know Kanye West as a clothing designer. 

"His merch is really rare. It is for a like a really big selling price. I feel like it's a timeless kind of product," says Necole Cayanan of San Jose. 

West who's kicking off a global concert tour, opened up 21 "Life of Pablo" pop-up stores all over the world just for this weekend. 

The items from the rapper’s Yeezy fashion line are custom made to each city in which they're sold. 

"We've been waiting since 4 a.m. so definitely we had our doubts but at the end of the day it was worth it," says Reed Yogi of San Francisco. 

"Some people where here since early in the afternoon yesterday. They had tents chairs the whole nine.  Waited out people went and got dim sum," says Austin Quen of San Francisco. 

The businesses surrounding the store also got a boost.  As many of those waiting in line decided it was time to eat.  Some had friends hold their space while they went to get it and others had it delivered. 

"Instant delivery chicken tikka masala burrito. Came in like five minutes it was perfect," says Mike Murrietta of San Francisco. 

We walked the line which wrapped around multiple blocks and it took KTVU's Paul Chambers one minute and 20 seconds to walk it.  In other words, you needed patience if you wanted to get in the store.

"It's pretty cool, but at the same time almost four hours out here and I'm just half way there hopefully," says Samuel Gonzalez of Fremont. 

"I'm on break so I came here. I don't know if I'll get in between my hour so I'm going to shoot for it," says Xavier Martin of San Francisco.  

People spent on average eight or more hours waiting in line.  At the end of the day it was all about the t-shirts, hats and jackets from West's latest collection, which many say was worth the wait, but an expensive experience.  

"I got two T-shirts for my friend, a T-shirt for myself, a jacket and a hoodie. Total price?  $640," says Yogi.
Another person had three bags worth. I dropped about $1,500.” On what? We asked. “Sweatshirts T-shirts and jackets," says Steffen Scott of Union City. 

The stores will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.