San Clemente Times - Local News You Can Use

San Clemente Times - Local News You Can Use: "What can be so special about a T-shirt, right? Well, a lot in the Old Honolulu world. These guys don’t just make shirts; they make big ol’ hearty T-shirts. “We’ve been manufacturing our own brand of [men’s] heavyweight T-shirts since mid ’90s,” said owner Jay Durkee. “It’s a custom-made T-shirt about twice the weight of normal shirt that’s made painstakingly right here in the USA. These shirts are like a good pair of jeans—once a guy gets one it becomes their favorite shirt.”

Up until November, Old Honolulu shirts were only available online. But as the demand continued to grow—particularly customers wanting to see the product in person—Durkee decided to open a retail shop. The result: Old Honolulu Trading Co. on South El Camino Real.

“We fixed up an older building in south San Clemente. It’s like an ‘Internet show room,’ and has that aloha spirit,” said Durkee, who’s lived in San Clemente for more than 20 years. “What you see is also available online.”

The shop carries an abundance of the trademark heavyweight T-shirts—with a variety of prints and styles offered—but there are tons of other apparel and accessory items inside, as well, including women’s products, sandals, jewelry and hand-carved wooden ornaments. “We carry a women’s loungewear line called Tranquilo,” said Durkee.

Durkee said he made it a priority to open the shop in time for the holidays. So if you haven’t figured out a good gift for that guy in your life, a heavyweight T-shirt may be the answer."