Need a last-minute gift for someone with connections to Long Beach?
Some cool apparel featuring images of historical Long Beach sights including the Cyclone Racer (the rollercoaster once home to The Pike), the 1938 surf championship, and the iconic Villa Rivera are available at Long Beach Clothing Company — thanks to a special collaboration with the Historical Society of Long Beach.
Founded in 2003 by Jay Tilles, a DJ and producer at KROQ-FM, the Long Beach Clothing Company was brought to life with a goal to work with local artists to design and manufacture Long Beach-branded apparel.
Initially, the company’s merchandise was only available at a shop at The Pike. Then in 2010, Shawn Moore, a local businessman, helped Tilles move the store to the historic Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach — where its selection of goods has since expanded to include drinkware, stickers, tote bags, and much more.
The line up of surfing competitors in the championships held in November/December of 1938. The Long Beach Clothing Company and Historical Society of Long Beach are selling merchandise with various historical images, like this one, as pat of a collaboration. (Photo courtesy of Historical Society of Long Beach).
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The line up of surfing competitors in the championships held in November/December of 1938. The Long Beach Clothing Company and Historical Society of Long Beach are selling merchandise with various historical images, like this one, as pat of a collaboration. (Photo courtesy of Historical Society of Long Beach).
The store is now owned and run by Moore and his wife, Cynthia. In December of 2023, the duo opened their second retail store in Belmont Shore on Second Street.
You can also shop online at longbeachclothing.com.
In addition to its collab with LB Clothing, the Historical Society is selling copies of vintage images that can be purchased online. Orders placed by Dec. 15 can be picked up prior to Christmas. For more details, go to shorturl.at/FxY95.
More Schooners
Long Beach recently renewed the long-term lease of the popular waterfront restaurant Schooner or Later located on city-owned property at 241 North Marina Drive.
Last May, the eatery celebrated 40 years in business.
“At first, the name was going to be ‘Cafe on the Bay,’” the eatery’s owner, Denise Lund, said in a previous interview. “But I am glad we ended up with Schooner or Later.”
Denise’s late brother Denny and his friend Gary bought the business on Marina Drive in Alamitos Bay, after researching business ideas — including croissant shops. After about a year, the Lunds bought out Gary.
The eatery at that location first opened in 1960, according to a Press-Telegram article. It was called Little Ships Galley and was “a gathering place for mariners, sailors and would-be sailors,” the article said.
Earl and Helen Schultz, who owned the restaurant from 1960 to 1985, paid the city a mere 9% of their gross sales or $300 — whichever was greater — to rent the location, according to city records. How times have changed.
Nowadays, the most popular menu item is an omelet called “the mess.” It’s the same omelet served at Schooner or Later in years past, but Lund has since upgraded the ingredients.
Holiday drinking
It seems like every watering hole in Long Beach has jumped on the festive seasonal drink bandwagon.
Last week, I shared some details about Port City Tavern’s nautical Christmas decorations and the huge inflatable Santa on its second story rooftop — but there are plenty more bars leaning into the season’s festivities to enjoy.
The Pike Bar on Fourth Street, for example, has a handful of holiday-inspired drinks on its menu — and if you’re looking for a family-friendly group outing, they welcome kids before 9 p.m.
Beachwood Brewing & Distilling, at 3630 Atlantic Ave., has a holiday pop-up dubbed “Step into The Sleigh Bar,” offering a brand-new holiday cocktail menu and decked-out space.
Angel’s Share in Belmont Shore is the newest “over the top” holiday- “blinked out” with tinsel, lights, and a comprehensive holiday menu.
Secret Island Tiki Restaurant & Lounge, a hidden speakeasy-style tiki bar downtown, is known for rum-heavy drinks — and plenty of others including Baby Gee, The Wicked Wolf Cocktail Bar + Tea Lounge & Café, Roxanne’s, HALO Rooftop Bar at the Fairmont Breakers, and Shannon’s On Pine Irish Pub & Sports Bar, all feature holiday inspired beverages.
Two classic Long Beach bars that go all out for the holidays are The Bamboo Club — which has officially opened its “Tinsel Club” tiki-themed pop-up for the season — and The Ordinaire’s Miracle Pop-Up, with plenty of festive drinks and other activities to enjoy.