Working -- Ben Bassham
- Share via
--Story by Torus Tammer; photo by XXXXX
HE IS
Bringing the tiki craze to Huntington Beach.
SELF-MOTIVATED
Bassham, 36, designs and builds custom tropical decor, a style he
refers to as “Hawaiiana.”
Known to his customers as “Bamboo Ben,” the Huntington Beach resident
said he used to live in Newport Beach but “jumped the bridge” to Surf
City as soon as his mother decided it was time for him to pay rent.
He said he has always been independent and that “this asset” remains a
big part of his world today.
“I do it all -- from custom tropical decor to beds, surfboard
furniture and tiki bars,” Bassham said. “I have a sign on my back door
that says ‘employee only.’ ”
THE BREAK
Bassham started in the custom tiki business by building and installing
tiki bars for a handful of Hollywood film and television producers.
He learned about the furniture business on his own by opening a
furniture store almost immediately after graduating from high school.
“I did that for about 10 years, until the scene got too competitive,”
he said. “I moved to working with bamboo and tiki because I had a belief
that Hawaiiana was going to become very successful and very fashionable.”
So, equipped with his knowledge of the furniture business and the
genes of a grandfather who also made tiki carvings and Polynesian decor
for some 30 years, Bassham took to his new endeavor like the proverbial
duck to water.
“Designing and making this furniture and working with bamboo makes me
feel relaxed,” he said. “The product is simple yet peaceful, and I think
that’s why the Hawaiiana culture has been embraced by the people. It’s
very comfortable.”
THE FUTURE
Although Bassham just opened his Yorktown Avenue store in November,
there already are hints that Bamboo Ben wants to expand his operation to
offer a wider variety of products to a growing clientele.
Not one to be complacent, Bassham said he is always seeking ways to
diversify.
“For now, the store will remain named the house of Bamboo Ben, and we
will continue supplying our unique brand of Hawaiiana,” he said.
“But we are already looking at many different areas and products
within the culture. Currently, Mrs. Bamboo [his wife, Vicki] is starting
to go in the direction of garments like sarongs and tops. So pretty soon,
we may even introduce a women’s line.”
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.