Working -- Ben Bassham

--Story by Torus Tammer; photo by XXXXX

HE IS

Bringing the tiki craze to Huntington Beach.

SELF-MOTIVATED

Bassham, 36, designs and builds custom tropical decor, a style he

refers to as “Hawaiiana.”

Known to his customers as “Bamboo Ben,” the Huntington Beach resident

said he used to live in Newport Beach but “jumped the bridge” to Surf

City as soon as his mother decided it was time for him to pay rent.

He said he has always been independent and that “this asset” remains a

big part of his world today.

“I do it all -- from custom tropical decor to beds, surfboard

furniture and tiki bars,” Bassham said. “I have a sign on my back door

that says ‘employee only.’ ”

THE BREAK

Bassham started in the custom tiki business by building and installing

tiki bars for a handful of Hollywood film and television producers.

He learned about the furniture business on his own by opening a

furniture store almost immediately after graduating from high school.

“I did that for about 10 years, until the scene got too competitive,”

he said. “I moved to working with bamboo and tiki because I had a belief

that Hawaiiana was going to become very successful and very fashionable.”

So, equipped with his knowledge of the furniture business and the

genes of a grandfather who also made tiki carvings and Polynesian decor

for some 30 years, Bassham took to his new endeavor like the proverbial

duck to water.

“Designing and making this furniture and working with bamboo makes me

feel relaxed,” he said. “The product is simple yet peaceful, and I think

that’s why the Hawaiiana culture has been embraced by the people. It’s

very comfortable.”

THE FUTURE

Although Bassham just opened his Yorktown Avenue store in November,

there already are hints that Bamboo Ben wants to expand his operation to

offer a wider variety of products to a growing clientele.

Not one to be complacent, Bassham said he is always seeking ways to

diversify.

“For now, the store will remain named the house of Bamboo Ben, and we

will continue supplying our unique brand of Hawaiiana,” he said.

“But we are already looking at many different areas and products

within the culture. Currently, Mrs. Bamboo [his wife, Vicki] is starting

to go in the direction of garments like sarongs and tops. So pretty soon,

we may even introduce a women’s line.”