Aloha Sunday

Aloha Sunday Supply Co. is a retail concept located in North Park,
 San Diego, CA formed in 2011. Driven by a lack of appropriate men's
 shops, we set out to create an environment where us and our friends 
would want to purchase goods that reflected our tastes and values,
 whether this be swim shorts from Morocco or hand mixed apothecarian concoctions from Cold Spring, NY.

Warm and welcoming to young and old, with no pretension
or grandiosity, Aloha Sunday represents our effort to live a
good and well-traveled life.

An Interview with Michael Chen
Buyer of Aloha Sunday

What's the story behind Aloha Sunday's name?
In Hawaii, there's a saying "aloha Friday," which means welcome the weekend, sort of like "TGIF". Aloha Sunday is a play off of that. To live in a way that one Sunday and the work week rolls around, where you can actually be excited. That fun, relaxation isn't reserved for the weekend but it's a state of mind.

How did Aloha Sunday get started?
The idea was to create a space where surfers and non-surfers alike could find necessities like the perfect pair of board shorts, while feeling at home and inspired. We want to welcome everyone who comes through the door. 

Love all the wood accents, how long did designing and the interior process take to build?
We designed and executed the interior by ourselves, which was an adventure in itself. Our friend Wes, called us about an old family barn up north and asked if we wanted to fly up to tear and haul back. So Kahana booked a flight and 8 hours later he was in Oregon. This video below documents the whole process.

What 3 words do you keep in mind while merchandising for Aloha Sunday?
Leisure, timeless, & quality.

Where do your inspirations for the Aloha Sunday brand come from?
Usually late at night when I should be sleeping haha. Really though, from traveling and meeting new people. When you're taken out of your
element and every moment is a new experience.

Describe a typical day at Aloha Sunday.
Making sure the retail floor is clean and tidy. Shipping out online orders, updating our web platforms, managing our online store, shooting and prepping clothes for the online store. It's a business like any other business, so lots of admin type stuff.

What's fun about having your own store?
Every decision and consequence starts and ends with us. There's no boss to complain about, so we have complete creative control. The best part is bringing in brands that we are really passionate about and getting customers into it as well.

What is the best advice you can tell to an aspiring store owner?
Always go with your gut. If something doesn't feel right or you aren't completely passionate about a decision, you probably shouldn't do it. Surround yourself with people who you trust and value their opinion, especially when it opposes your own.

What are your 2 favorite items to wear?
Blue jeans and a white button down oxford shirt. It’s super simple, but those two pieces can pretty much work for any situation.

Can you give us five quick styling tips for the everyday man?
1. If you want to start building a good closet that'll last, always start with a pair of dark raw selvedge denim. You can pretty much wear anything with a good pair. This is an item you should shell out a bit more money for better quality.
2. A leather belt to go with those jeans.
3. Find a good pair of desert boots or oxfords you can wear with everything.
4. Always keep emergency board shorts nearby...because you never know.
5. Buy stuff that already works with what you have. That way if you're late to work and hung-over, you can grab anything and you'll be fine. 

Shop at Aloha Sunday!

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