Back in 2011, Steven Tiller relaunched a long-dormant brand of sneaker called SeaVees, a piece of Americana fashion that found new life through retailers around the world and the company’s online shop. SeaVees started churning out batches of shoes at a boutique factory in Asia and was holding down a small corporate presence on Ortega Street, but Tiller — a veteran footwear designer with stints at Cole Haan, Sperry Top-Siders, and Keds — itched for a Santa Barbara storefront. He and his team of 35 local employees have finally made it happen.
“Opening up a flagship store has always been a dream of mine,” said Tiller, “a place that embodies all things SeaVees. The right space presented itself in the heart of the Funk Zone, and 24 East Mason came to life.” Alongside the brand’s full array of men’s, women’s, and kids’ shoes ranging from $68 to $178, the place sells an assortment of SoCal merch, including Apolis tote bags, Camp Collection T-shirts, and OP shorts. With a tin roof and polished concrete floor, it has that carefully curated but easy-breezy beach feel, complete with longboards along one wall.
We recently chatted with Tiller by email.