Birdwell on Highland: New owners protect Birdwell’s half century legacy
Birdwell Beach Britches president Geoff Clawson and store manager Bree Valbuena at the Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach store. Photo (CivicCouch.com) In 2014, Manhattan Beach residents Geoff Clawson and Matt Jacobson and Santa Monica artist and Skateboard Hall of Famer Natas Kaupas bought Birdwell Beach Britches. Clawson previously worked in marketing at Instagram and Facebook. Jacobson previously worked in marketing at Quiksilver and now is head of market development at Facebook. Carrie Birdwell Mann began making the two-ply nylon Birdwell boardshorts in her Santa Ana garage in 1961. Over the ensuing decades, while more prominent surf apparel companies moved manufacturing overseas and collapsed under their own weight, Birdwell stuck to its motto — “Quality is our Gimmick.” Birdwell kept its manufacturing in Santa Ana, its finances in order and its focus on surfer boardshorts. Kris Hall in his favorite position, wearing his favorite black Birdwell 310s at the Hermosa pier. Photo by Brent Broza (Brozaphoto.com) The loose fitting, nylon construction was durable and dried quickly. Newport lifeguards were among Birdwell’s first customers. “Birdie,” the goofy, duck-footed, trunk…
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