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Oceanic Arts, Whittier, CA (store) |
gwenners
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Feb 08, 2005
Posts: 97
From: SF Bay Area
|  Posted: 2005-02-08 11:56 am Permalink
My sister and I stopped in at Oceanic Arts two weeks ago, and I would heartily agree that the place has got it all. I also thought the Martin Denny on the overhead just added to the experience.
Here's a shot I took just after entering.:
I was on a light budget this trip to L.A., so I only made it out of there with one moai-esque wooden "door pull" for the wall.
I, however, did not find the folks to be as friendly as others have indicated. One female employee was friendly, but an older gentleman (who I believe was Bob, from photos) rang me up, and seemed less than thrilled. Maybe it was just a bad day.
I'll still be back -- way too much there to keep me away.
Cheers,
Gwen Smith
[ This Message was edited by: gwenners on 2005-02-08 12:00 ]
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Rorysm
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 17, 2003
Posts: 161 | Posted: 2005-03-10 06:41 am Permalink
So exactly what kind of sign did they make for Bob Dole? I followed that campaign closely and even worked at the Republican National Convention in San Diego and don't remember any wooden signs at all! Unless there was some high-level only beach themed party (which is quite possible, because I found myself in quite a few parties that you wouldn't normally expect of Republicans!)
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TikiGardener
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 1359
From: 1st website dedicated to Tiki Gardens
| Posted: 2005-03-10 11:32 am Permalink
Was Jeff there?
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Ojaitimo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 04, 2006
Posts: 1283 | Posted: 2007-04-04 3:52 pm Permalink
Von Tiki and I visited Leroy and Bob who stayed open late after we got stuck in traffic and phoned them in route. Didn't this happen to Hanford?
We arrived after closing time but they were both gracious and allowed me to photograph their incredible warehouse long after closing time.
I had last seen Leroy and Bob in 1963 when I accompanied my mother Ione on a buying trip for the Trade Winds. Leroy said he remembered Ione from the Trade Wind project 44 years ago.
Von Tiki returned with Bob who said to me" You haven't been here since you were a kid!"
I was amazed, "You remember me from over 40 years ago?" Bob replied, "No, but thats what Von Tiki just told me." We all had a good laugh and I was like a kid in a toy store while I took these photos.
Now I have to go back and take my time but here are some pictures for now.
[ This Message was edited by: Ojaitimo 2007-04-04 15:58 ]
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WooHooWahine
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: Mar 04, 2005
Posts: 2901
From: Mission (Impossible) Viejo, Ca
| Posted: 2007-04-04 6:43 pm Permalink
Ojaitimo ~ Mahalo for posting your pics. SoccerTiki and I love visiting Oceanic Arts and visiting with Bob, Leroy, & Suzie 
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8253
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2007-04-04 8:43 pm Permalink
Isnt there supposed to be a big anniversary event coming up soon?
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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tikigreg
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 1088
From: ClubTiki
| Posted: 2007-04-05 09:31 am Permalink
We stopped in to see Reloy ( ) and Bob a couple weeks ago, and they said the big anniversary bash was put on hold, maybe even cancelled. Once they found out what it was going to involve, they reconsidered having anything big. But if you look at the counter in Ojaitimo's first picture above, you will see one thing that will be available to commemorate their 50th!
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When life hands you limes... make Mai Tais!
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Trader Tom
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Jan 26, 2006
Posts: 744
From: Hillsboro, OR
| Posted: 2007-05-21 03:03 am Permalink
I had a couple of pics of Tiki Al and myself from a recent visit down to Oceanic Arts. I meant to post these earlier, but I forgot about it. Anyway...here they are.
The first shot has Al on the left and me on the right in front of the rare mug cabinet. Several cool things in there, including my own personal holy grail, the Don the Beachcomber head mug. Some day I'll find one in the wild...
The second shot is of Al posing in front of his tikified Suzuki Samurai. You've probably seen this at Los Angeles events and wondered about it. The tiki torches on either side are solar powered and more impressive at night, but it's still a great shot. Al said the inspiration for the Samurai was to make it look like an old army vehicle that had been stranded on a deserted island without any standard parts to keep it running...so it has bamboo throughout. Other features include a glowing blue resin skull shift knob and a tiki hood ornament. Each time I see it there's something new. Very Cool!
We had a great chat with Leroy and finished up the trip with lunch at Bahooka's before calling it a day. I could go back to Oceanic Arts again and again. It's like going to Disneyland.
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Puki
Member
Joined: Jan 14, 2007
Posts: 8
From: So. Cal
| Posted: 2007-05-21 11:48 am Permalink
After getting a message about the LE mug from Tiki Farm, the wife and I went to Oceanic Arts last Friday because it was my B-day weekend, figured we'd stop by there before going to Disneyland. My imagination ran wild with ideas for our new home that we are Tikifying parts of. It's a great place to walk around and see whats available and get ideas. They have binders on the counter with pictures of various Tiki/Polynesian projects, which also helped spark ideas.
I hadn't thought of renting stuff, but Mrs was interested in renting some signs and props for an upcoming party this summer.
I particularly enjoyed the collection of Tiki mugs and old stuff from the past. [not for sale] They have a decent selection of new mugs too. As a B-day gift for me, we picked up one their limited edition Oceanic Arts Mugs by Tiki Farm. I haven't broke the tape seal on the box yet, but I'm going to, I'm anxious to read the little booklet on the history of Oceanic Arts.
My wife saw some Bamboo bar stools that were slightly damaged, Bob made us a very reasonable offer if we took all 4, so we did, they look great in the room we are decorating.
Overall a nice experience, will definitely be going back as we have ideas and need materials and decor. [ouch wallet]
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T1K1 LEE
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Apr 22, 2007
Posts: 37 | Posted: 2007-07-09 8:51 pm Permalink
Yo Ho and Hello,
Made my own pilgrimage to "Oceanic Arts" this last Saturday. Wow, what and awesome hour.Got some advice on drying palms and carving of said palms. Everybody was very help-full, patient and answered may questions. Here are some of the pic's I took trying not to double up on the previous posting's
My daughter wishing and dreaming
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Hang Loose and Stay Cool
[ This Message was edited by: T1K1 LEE 2007-07-09 20:55 ]
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WooHooWahine
Grand Member (7 years)
Joined: Mar 04, 2005
Posts: 2901
From: Mission (Impossible) Viejo, Ca
| Posted: 2007-07-09 9:41 pm Permalink
WOOOHOO! Tiki-rrific Pics! Mahalo for taking the time to post them
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DC's Kona Club
Member
Joined: Jun 23, 2007
Posts: 6 | Posted: 2007-07-09 10:12 pm Permalink
Nice pic's bro! Nothing like being in Tiki Heaven! Maybe a gift for Christmas under the tree this year? Naughty or Nice???
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Mouse Art
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 180
From: South Bay area L.A.
| Posted: 2007-07-11 11:05 am Permalink
.........Great pics!!!! Thanks for sharin with us...........Remy
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SpaceAgeCity
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 17, 2002
Posts: 58
From: Orange County, CA
| Posted: 2008-01-02 9:15 pm Permalink
I was just at OA on New Year's Eve and thankfully it (unlike other SoCal tiki temples) is just as amazing as ever. You could spend months in there and still not see everything.
Here's a web page about OA that I put together many moons ago: http://www.spaceagecity.com/tiki/oa/index.htm
CJ
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2454
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2009-09-28 7:40 pm Permalink
JOHN-O's Non-Tiki Guide to the SGV (when visiting the Bahooka or Oceanic Arts)........
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=34079&forum=16&1
[ This Message was edited by: JOHN-O 2009-10-01 18:36 ]
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