Some days I am just so gosh-darned pleased with myself, and today is one of those days — due to this discovery. Last weekend at the Ohana Luau on the Lake tiki fest, David and I drove a mile into downtown Lake George to check it out. There were lots of groovy 50s and 60s motels, so we took a long walk exploring. At one of them I spotted these really cool aluminum patio umbrellas and, oh my goodness, did they not ever look like they came straight from the 1950s? Well, it turns out that — they are straight from 1956 — and they are still in production — and you can buy one if you want.
The company that manufactures and sells them is named Sundrella (yes, with a “d”), and it’s been based in Phoenix since 1956 — when it got started building this very same 701 aluminum umbrella (above). In fact, according to Kaycie, a most wonderful manager in the retail area at Sundrella, the company built only 701 umbrellas for the next 22 years, until 1978, when the current owners bought the company.
The new owners then began expanding the product line to include chairs, tables and other outdoor funiture. There’s a broad portfolio today.
All these many years, its main clientele has been commercial outlets — hotels, motels, resorts, and for a long while but not lately: McDonalds. “Oh yeahhhhh,” I hear you all saying right along with me: “McDonalds. I remember these now.” Can you believe they are still available?
You might see a new one like this at a Dairy Queen – still an active customer. Did you know that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns Dairy Queen? I LOVE DQ!
Okay, not to burst your bubble. But, these do not come cheap. Kaycie says that the factory-direct pricing through year-end is $517. And then, there is shipping. These suckers weigh in at 55 lbs. and need to be cemented into the ground. So, gulp, sit down when you hear the shipping cost. These are serious umbrellas.
Nonetheless, they are wicked cool.
They are MADE IN THE USA, hurray. They are all-aluminum and don’t rust. Just shine them up yearly with: Turtle Wax. The 40 “veins” can be powder-coat-painted in your choice of 18 mix-and-match Charlie Brown sweater stripe colors. And Kaycie says there are even some discontinued colors — like turquoise and peach — still stashed away. Turquoise? Peach? You know we are all over those.
If you want some retro seating to go with, Kaycie recommends the Arroyo line (above). These were the first designs following the 1978 acquisition.
These are vintage chairs at the same place in as the umbrellas, along the hotel/motel boardwalk in Lake George. These babies last forever, and in fact, Kaycie says they get folks coming in all the time with chairs that are 30 years old and just need new vinyl straps. If you’re into retro renovation, I bet you’re into reduce, reuse, recycle, too. It pays to buy stuff that lasts — and it’s amazing, really, the quality you often see in postwar products of even the most humble origins.
Where to get them:
Again:
Original link in 2009 story: AZ Umbrellas
Jacquie Yunker says
Hi Everyone,
My DH and I just picked up a Sundrella aluminum umbrella from an auction house here in Phoenix. We called the company to find out what size screws to use on the slats, as most of them are very rusted, and need to be replaced asap.
While speaking to the lady he got on the phone, he was informed by her that the company has been sold, and relocated to Florida. It is still under the same name with the same items for sale…EXCEPT for the 701 aluminum umbrella!!! She told my husband the economy has just ruined them, and they had to sell. They are closing the Phoenix manufacturing location, and the machine shop that makes the umbrellas will be closed. She said they will be leaving in 2 days!!
I feel like crying right now, they have been in the Valley of the sun since the 50’s, and it makes me sick that a company that has been around that long has not been able to survive this mess. There are no umbrellas in stock either, my husband asked, …they were all made on a “special order” basis. I am sick……, but I feel so blessed to have found this lovely thing and now it is in my possession. If you like I will post pics. I am going to take before and after pics of the cleaning and polishing process, but right now it is 114 degrees, and there is no end in sight for a month or two. So I won’t be scrubbing and refurbishing any time soon. I can post pic of it now, disassembled. It is the colors of Off White and Mistletoe on the website color chart.
Thought I should pass this along…how SAD.
pam kueber says
That is sad to hear, Jacquie. I remember talking to these folks and indeed, they were nice.
Robbie C says
Hi Jacquie,
I feel your pain love those reto metal umbrella – I found some at a hotel in Palm Springs and they were originals. Yellow and white stripe. I hope you find the ones you want somewhere – keep me posted if you do I want one too!
Robbie Ann
pam kueber says
UPDATE: Umbrellas being made again, by son of the 1978 owners — http://www.azumbrellas.com/redesign/
Jyl Williams says
Hi everybody! My name is Jyl, and I am the Residential Sales rep for Sundrella Casual Furniture. Thanks for the wonderful article on our 701’s….Kaycie feels like a super star – lol!!! I wanted to let all of you know that we are running a great special on these now thru December 31st. Our sale price for this limited time is 369.00 (such a deal!). Contact me @ 800-825-5222 or by email jyl@sundrella.com. Talk to ya soon!
Kevin says
Thank you for the vintage umbrella tip! I have been looking for these forever!!! Please come stay at our grrovy hotel in Palm Springs… http://www.orbitin.com Thanks!!!
Dave says
I’m sitting in room 105 at the Orbit In after a day of admiring the two Sundrella umbrellas by the pool. Imagine my surprise upon finding Kevin’s comment here. We will get one for our home pool area. And by the way, Kevin is right. His Palm Springs hotel is groovy. It’s like stepping back in time.
Tina says
Wow. That is a great coincidence. But I guess the retro gods have worked their magic again! You’re right where you should be, Dave. And Kevin.. I hope to visit your motel one day, too!
Mickey says
I need a 4 or 5 of these for the back yard and drive-in at the lake! Oh I can see them turquoise, red, yellow, maybe even pink! But that $500 puts the hurt on! lol I think i’ll rummage around some run down hotels and see if i cant buy them second hand!
Annie B. says
Right out of the “War of the Worlds”. Unbelievably cool.
atomicbowler-dave says
Oh my. Wow. So I looked at the motel and event site, and will now sound stupider than usual…the word ‘Ohana’ keeps coming up in it all, and I wondered what the meaning and significance is. Suppose I could have googled it, but it is FAR more fun to feel foolish among friends! Any takers?
Dave
Anita says
Although the $500+ price tag does seem high I have spent far more than that in the 7 years we have lived in the central valley of CA on the poorly constructed typical fabric umbrellas – typically $129 each. I generally have to buy a new one every year because the sun eats up the fabric so fast. Also, if I should happen to forget to put the umbrella down for the evening it will blow over b/c it is so windy here, then it’s broken. Sign me up for the metal ones that need to be in concrete and I never have to go buy another!
Genjenn says
Ooooooh. I want. In turquoise.
Amy says
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!
Shane says
Like, Hipsville!