You might say that John and Mike Anderson never shook off the hometown dust.
Their grandparents, Dick and Teddy Anderson, founded Cypress Printing and Silkscreen after Dick worked as a newspaper plant superintendent in the era of hot-lead typesetting.
Their parents, Rick and Mary Anderson, now run the family business where Brother Ricky also works.
Dad graduated in the first senior class from Los Alamitos High School.
All four Anderson children (John, Mike, Ricky and Sister Tina) likewise graduated from Los Al High.
John and Mike learned screen printing in Grandpa’s shop as a rite of passage.
For a while, they thought they’d break away by running with a band.
A Cal State Fullerton graphic design graduate, Mike designed a cool promo T-shirt.
John applied skills honed sharp as an ad salesman for Adelphia.
Their dream of wealth, fame and glory through music production and distribution crashed into mp3 downloads and the Internet.
They sold a lot of shirts, the band died—and Tank Farm Clothing was launched in August 2003 at the Magic fashion-trade show in Las Vegas.
Their shirts were so well received that the brothers booked worldwide distribution deals that included Australia and such stateside fashion outlets as Fred Segal and Urban Outfitters.
“The clothing is built on American heritage and style,” Mike says.
“It’s the best of past and future,” adds John.
“Optimistic. Hard-working,” continues Mike.
“And no whining,” John finishes.
Tank Farm’s strong traditional bent reflects bedrock values the brothers learned from their family. The hang tag on each and every piece of Tank Farm Clothing sports a photo of Grandpa when he was 19 years old, taken in 1950 by Grandma on a visit to Laguna Beach.
“He looks like Fonzie,” says John, referring to the character from Happy Days who wore a leather jacket and styled his hair in a pompadour.
Until recently, the brothers worked out of an industrial building in Cypress. When a spot right on Los Alamitos Boulevard opened up, they jumped at the chance to showcase their work at a first ever flagship store in a community they love. The company’s new retail location will offer exclusive designs unavailable through other retailers like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom’s and Macy’s.
As part of the brothers’ community support, the store will offer a 25 percent discount on all Tank Farm Clothing to active duty military stationed at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base or Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.
The same discount will be offered to current students at Los Alamitos High School. Valid IDs must be presented at time of purchase.
Sorry, ladies. These vintage Tees and button-down shirts inspired by the likes of Steve McQueen and Johnny Cash are targeted to men.
Tell your guy to let you off at The Denim Bar just up the street. Drop a hint for him to check out Tank Farm’s select wives and girlfriends section before meeting you for a bite to eat next door at Nick’s Deli.
(“We swear that guys can’t go wrong picking something out from that section,” promises Mike.)
The new storefront location will be ready for a grand opening on Saturday, December 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. A special live performance by the band Rival Sons will keep toes tapping.
Food and drinks and fun will flow freely for three hours.
While you’re checking out the clothes and getting down to the music, look closely at the fine work put into rehabbing the storefront and fixtures.
Steve Folgherate and Tina Anderson Twigger (the brothers’ lone sister) provided overall interior design. Kenneth Nelson (nelsonwoodworx@gmail.com or (562-500-9166) used mostly recycled materials to build the fixtures. Norm Dinley (714-650-4953) splendidly worked the concrete and brick.
For more information about the clothes, the store and the all-American legacy, visit TankFarmClothing.com or send email to info@TankFarmClothing.com.
The store is located at 10900 Los Alamitos Blvd., Suite 101.
