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
Bill Trumbo says
We have four 701 Sundrellas by our co-op pool, installed when the complex was built in 1957 and repainted with spray cans every 10 years since. Yesterday, when hurricane winds came through and tossed everything else around, they just stood there stoically unaffected. Could be one of the best long-term investments ever made.
Greg says
I’m truly touched by the kind comments I’ve received from everyone. You all have touched my heart. I’m in Kentucky now, but moving back to Phoenix shortly. I’ve bought my home there, and just putting this place in order, in order to put it up for sale. When I get home to Phoenix, I WILL have another Sundrella Umbrella in my backyard, just like the one dad made. Dad made ours in the white, with misty blue, kind of an aqua blue. It was beautiful. I have home movies, and pics of the set in our back yard back in the ’60’s.
If ANY of the people on here that have original umbrella’s from the early – mid ’60’s, and would be kind enough to check up, on the inside plate for the name of Chris M., or initials C.M., and maybe with a date next to it for me, that would be GREATLY, GREATLY appreciated!!
Again, thank you all for your kind hearted words,
Greg
Sandy Filkowski says
We have one of the original 701 Umbrellas that came from a McDonalds in Santa Maria, CA sometime in the 60’s. It is in great shape after spending 45 years at our mountain home in the Sierras.
I was so glad to see this posting with all the great information.
Greg says
I am SO, SO GLAD to read that the aluminum umbrellas are still being made, and still being made in Phoenix. Believe it, or not my dad worked, and built the aluminum umbrellas at Sundrella Aluminum from 1962 to 1966 when he passed unexpectedly at 34. My dad brought home scraps from work and actually made my mom and entire patio set, table, chairs, umbrella, even a small awning over the master bedroom window, which still hangs there as of this day. My mom, subsequently rebound married, the guy was a real piece of work, and systematically got rid of everything my dad had work SO HARD for, and one of which was our beautiful patio set.
For years, up until my mother died in 1977 at the age of 44, she would ALWAYS, EVERYTIME we saw one of those beautiful umbrella’s, be it at a hotel/motel, WHEREVER it was, she’d stop, and look up inside the umbrella. She said dad had told her that all of the workers, including him, always put their name on the underside of the umbrella. She looked for him on the undersides of the umbrella’s for 11 years. She swore if she ever found one, she would pay whatever the owner wanted for it, just to have a piece of him back. I look for her now. Almost 50 years, and I still look..
pam kueber says
Oh my goodness, what a story. Thank you for sharing. I hope you find one!
kellyanne says
If you are still looking for one if those umbrellas I have one it’d an original sundrella in excellent condition give me a call 541-519-5197
Eric says
Sundrella did sell the furniture portion of the business, but the original 701 umbrella is still being made in Phoenix. The employees are the same people who have making the umbrellas for many years. The materials are the same, the design is the same.
pam kueber says
Update the website, Eric! Not much info to work with there…
Violet says
So….. I just got off the phone with Ron. His brother still makes them. I love the passion that he has for these umbrellas . His number is 623-516-2010. It takes about a week to get one painted any way you want. I’m soooooo excited. I don’t think the brothers will let this umbrella go quietly into the night.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Violet — I did a story back in 2009 and updated the link. They really need to update their website….
Paul ODonnell says
I just purchased a aluminum umbrella at a yard sale recently. The sections of aluminum are connected together with a flat seam making it solid. Colors are evergreen and white. Does anybody know anything about it.? Trying to figure out the age, maker, and value. Thank you
Patrick King says
701 aluminum umbrella is back!!! These can be purchased by contacting Kim King at 602-677-8113 or emailing kingandkingsales1@gmail.com. These are the same umbrellas made with the same tooling and machinery from the old factory. Still U.S. made in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jake says
Bought mine in 1988. Put it away during snow season, otherwise it is outside all the time. Have never had a problem with high winds – it’s out in a rural open area…. just keeps turning with the wind. Still like new after 25 years. (Michigan). 🙂 🙂
pam kueber says
Yay! I neeeeed a Sundrella!
Joe,Torres says
Hello.driving home one hot day,Saw one of these umbrella in a front yard,So I stopped to see if they would sell it,That good man told me it was free for me,SO WOW.Got it home, Right away started to work on it,Remove all veins,strip to bare aluminum,and painted it Denver Broncos colors, And yes still has Sundrella sticker on it .
Looks brand new.
Ken says
That is so awful that the company is no longer. I dream about those amazing 701 umbrellas. They make me so happy. We had them at the restaurant I worked at in the late 1970s – white/yellow, white/orange (my favorite), and white/red. There’s one on ebay right now, but it’s pickup only – in Phoenix – and I’m not near enough to get it. : (
Ken says
* I guess I should say it’s so awful that the ORIGINAL company is no longer, since it does kind of still exist. But looking at their new website, it appears that they only offer 2 different patio umbrella styles – both made of fabric. : (