Re Aloha Shirts Going Out of Business

Above, the Re Aloha Shirts Store in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, in preparation of our vacation trip to Hawaii, I found a store in Westlake Village (near Thousand Oaks), California that sold used Hawaiian shirts at reasonable prices. One of the shirts was the Mustang shirt that I was wearing when I had my heart attack last summer. It was Re Aloha Shirts.

Above, the shirts I bought. They came in handy during New
Mexico's monsoon season this year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The owner of the store, Craig "CraSH" Hatton posted the following on Facebook:

Mahalo for an Amazing 7 Years! 

I am sad to announce that re Aloha Shirts will be closing at the end of the year. I have been honored to serve up Aloha to the Southern California community during that time. It has been a wonderful experience to personally serve and attend to your Aloha fashion needs. I paddle away knowing that I have had a part of increasing Aloha in the surrounding area. 

I smile at all the stories that you have told me about the shirts and dresses that you have purchased here. I always took great pride in making sure you strolled out of the store looking your Aloha Best. But things eventually come to an end. 

The reason I am closing is that I have been amazing opportunity to work for a new company. I do apologize for such short notice, but I was just recently offered this job. It would be extremely difficult to continue to do the store and pursue this new opportunity with FestiFi. You will be able to reach me at crash@festifi.co after the beginning of the year. 

The store will be closing on December 30th. During this time I will be keeping the store open everyday from 10am to 6pm. (see below for hours) Please come by and I will work you a deal. Got lots of inventory that must go! Stock up on that Aloha Wear that you have been eyeing for a while. 

One last thing, since the internet is forever. For an eulogy to the store, if you could leave a review on Google or Yelp to memorialize the era it would be appreciated. Put your story about the shirt or dress you got here or anything else you would like to say. 

Hours
Will be open everyday till 12/30 from 10 am to 6 pm give or take.
12/24 will be open from 10 am to 3 pm
12/25 will be closed. 

Mahalo and Aloha! 

Craig "CraSH" Hattori

Unfortunately, since I am no longer in California, I can't take advantage of the sale. They are located at:

31139 Via Colinas, Ste 202 (586.27 mi)
Westlake Village, California 91362

This is the second small business in a month to announce a closing that I liked. The other was Distant Lands Bookstore & Outfitters in Pasadena.

Mission Accomplished!

Above, the shirt (far right) the day before it got sliced up.

Well, this morning I accomplished something.

My Reyn Spooner Ford Mustang Hawaiian shirt that I bought two years ago at re Aloha Shirts is being replaced. I did some digging and found one.

While being treated for the heart attack in Wells, Nevada, the paramedics sliced it to shreds. Where the pieces went, I have no idea.

I always received a lot of compliments whenever I wore it, including at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. I rarely wore it as I kept it in the clothes closet in The Beast.

My Mustang Shirt

Above, at the Sheraton Waikiki wearing the shirt. Photo by Jackie Scott.

Of all the Hawaiian shirts I bought in L.A. before going to Hawaii, the Mustang-themed shirt received the most compliments. I bought it and several others at re Aloha Shirts.

Above, a detailed view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One fellow tourist stopped me as I was photographing Diamond Head one morning and we talked about Mustangs for a while. He was from Granada Hills (not too far from Tarzana) and was vacationing in Hawaii for two weeks.

Several other people also liked the shirt.

Getting Things Done

Above, three of the five shirts for Aiden. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There were three things I had on today's agenda to do.

First, was to notarize a form pertaining to Amber's accident of last Memorial Day.

Second, to head out to Westlake Village to the re Aloha Shirts store to pick up some Hawaiian shirts for Aiden for our upcoming trip. Denise and I were going to go there last evening, but something came up and we couldn't go. And, she was going to San Diego today. As Denise gave me the cash, she wanted me to select some and send her photos of them by text.

Above, the other two of the five shirts. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Third, to fill the gas tank of The Beast. I haven't gassed it up since our San Diego trip of last month.

The notarizing was done in no time and I was off to Westlake Village. Once there, I picked out five shirts and the store owner and I hung them for photos. I took the shots and sent them to Denise. She responded right away and said she loved all five. So I got them.

Additionally, as Denise said today, "things happen for a reason" when I told her that I sold a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan to the store owner. He's a big kaiju fan.

On display at the Hawaiian shirt store was a chalkboard made from a surfboard (photo below). I immediately thought of my cousin in Wildomar when I saw it. I'll send her a photo of it.

Once I was done, I headed back home (with a stop in Woodland Hills to see some dinosaurs). After a coffee break, I then took The Beast to fill up the gas tank for the third, and last agenda item.

Above, filling up The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I accomplished everything I set out to do today.

Dinosaurs For Sale

Above, a six-foot dinosaur for sale. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While on my way today to pick up some Hawaiian shirts for Aiden at the re Aloha Shirts store in Westlake Village, I spotted a garden art store next to the freeway with some cool dinosaurs.

I made a mental note to stop in on the way back. So I later did.

Above, a rack of dinosaurs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally, the dinosaurs (they have six-foot ones and smaller ones) sell for about $2,500. But they are currently having a sale. The six-footers are on sale for $1,800. They are very tempting!

Above, yours truly with a 6-footer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As a joke, I sent a text to Denise (who is down in San Diego with her cousin):

Mommie, I want one of these! I don't have room at my apartment. Can we keep it in your yard until we get our own place? Pleezzze?

I figured she'd repond with, "You're kidding, right?" But she thought I was serious.

She replied that since she lives at her mom's house, her mom doesn't like other people's things there or anything on the grass. If it were put in the back yard, she said, "my dogs would piss all over it."

This continued on for a bit and I ramped up my "begging" and making it sound even more whiny and childish. Yet, she still thought I was serious.

Above, some smaller dinosaurs that are available. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, she was getting exasperated and I told her I was kidding and said, "You need to learn when I'm pulling your leg!" She took it fine.

Still, I wouldn't mind having one. If I really wanted to get one, I'd just go ahead and buy it.

Above, a side view of the smaller dinosaurs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The business is called Fountains and Garden Art. The store is located in Woodland Hills, next to the U.S. 101 freeway at Fallbrook Ave. Their address is 23210 Ventura Blvd. Phone (818) 223-8ART.

Above, the store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Should I send this to Don Glut?

Get Your Aloha On!

Above, the storefront of re Aloha Shirts. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In preparation for an upcoming trip to Hawaii, I checked around for stores who specialize in Hawaiian-styled shirts. There's virtually none in the San Fernando Valley, but I did find one in neighboring Westlake Village (near Thousand Oaks) off U.S. 101 at Lindero Canyon.

It is re Aloha Shirts. It is a store (and warehouse) specializing in vintage to modern Hawaiian-styled shirts and dresses. Their stock consists of used clothing, but they are in great shape. I much prefer going not looking like I just bought everything from Macy's or some other place. Also, I could have waited to buy some in Hawaii, but they would probably be more expensive.

Above, there are plenty of dresses for the ladies. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Hawaii travel guides I read all recommend clothing that is 100% cotton, as the islands are tropical and humid. Cotton fabric breathes better than synthetics. re Aloha Shirts has plenty of cotton shirts and dresses to choose from.

I found four shirts to my liking, one of which has a Ford Mustang theme. I tried them all on and they were comfortable (I can now see why the late Forrest J. Ackerman favored wearing Hawaiian shirts).

More shopping will be done tomorrow when Denise, her friend Jackie and I head down to the garment district of Los Angeles.

Above, the four shirts I bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The store is located at 31139 Via Colinas, #202, Westlake Village, CA 91302. Phone number is (818) 575-0600. They are open Thursdays through Saturdays 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM or by appointment.