Inside Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone is a new retail store, Tendrel, a Tibetan word often translated as an auspicious coincidence or synchronicity.
It’s the perfect name for seemingly the perfect couple, Molly Davis and Parker Simon, who opened the men’s clothing store at 223 Anacapa St. about four months ago, just as their new baby, Levon, was born.
“This is his shop,” said Davis, laughing and pointing to their 4-month-old son, Levon. Simon added: “I jokingly am always, ‘All this and more will be yours, baby.'”
Tendrel is a family endeavor and the latest chapter in a story that began when the two were 18 years old living in the dorms at the University of San Francisco. Now, at 32, they are entrepreneurs in the Funk Zone, selling men’s clothing — denim, jeans, flannels, socks, hats and more. They recently moved from a small spot on Santa Barbara Street into a bigger place.
Simon calls the style “slow fashion” because it’s built to last and ethically made, “just like a different relationship with clothes.”
The material is “selvedge denim,” much of it made in Japan and “built to last, with these really cool fades,” Davis said. “You buy a pair of jeans, you live in them, you get holes in them, you get it repaired, and you keep it. If your size stays the same, you can be in the same pair of jeans for many, many years as opposed to just blowing through jeans in a year or two.”
Simon bought a pair of Japanese denim jeans in San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic and wore them every single day for four years. Those once-dark blue jeans are now on a mannequin inside the store.
Simon is a former musician who also dabbled in event management. He played in a rock band called the Hibbity Dibbity.
“For a long time, I just wanted to look like I was on a ’70s record cover, like an Allman Brothers album.”
Brands on sale include Mister Freedom, Iron Heart and Battenwear.
The two work together at home and in the store. Simon calls himself a “grip and rip it” type of person, while Davis is “the editor.”
“I just make stuff,” Simon said. “I don’t revise anything. I don’t edit anything. She tells me if everything is OK. She is final approval on everything, which is extremely valuable.”
Davis said owning the store is a “creative outlet.”
The two hope everyone who walks in will feel comfortable finding a piece of clothing that works for them. His goal is to sell items anyone could wear, “simple styles done really well.”
“We want any man to walk in here and be able to walk out and feel good about their purchase,” Davis said. “It’s look good, feel good.”
There are not a lot of places in Santa Barbara to buy men’s clothing, they both said, and Tendrel aims to offer men a fresh option.
“What we really specialize in is the core basics to any men’s wardrobe,” Davis said. “Nice pieces of denim, nice jackets, nice shirts. What we really want is for people to come in and put on a nice pair of jeans and look and feel their best.”
The store is open Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
New Goleta Ramen Coming
Takashi Ramen is opening in Goleta’s Hollister Village near Smart & Final.
The restaurant has a sign out front with a public notice of application to sell alcoholic beverages.
The address is 7060 Hollister Ave., Suite 102.
New Restaurant in La Arcata
Pizza Mizza appears gone again. In its place is Courthouse Distillery & Events.
“Santa Barbara’s newest event venue offers unparalleled flexibility, convenience and versatility, accommodating gatherings from 20 to 300 guests in the heart of downtown,” according to a news release.
The company lists its other restaurants as Mizza in Santa Barbara, 1865 Craft House & Kitchen in San Luis Obispo and Craft House at Corque in Solvang.
Tractor Supply Holds Pet Photo Event
Tractor Supply Co. is inviting customers to celebrate the Halloween season with a pet photo event at its Buellton store on Oct. 26.
“From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., customers can bring in their four-legged family members, with or without costume, to have their photos taken by a local photographer,” according to a news release. “The first 25 participants will also receive a free magnetic picture frame.”
The event will take place at 221 E. Highway 246.
“At Tractor Supply, we understand that pets are a part of the family. That’s why we’re excited to host an event that will create Halloween memories for pet owners and animals alike,” said John Wallace, manager of the Buellton Tractor Supply store. “Our customers love their furry best friends, and we want to make sure this Halloween is one they won’t forget.”
