Even with a simple name, Regular is not your typical boutique. This hip spot sells everything from records to affordable clothing, shoes, and accessories. Oh, and did I mention the indoor skate ramp? Started by three friends with one dream, the Regular crew is on a mission to keep it real and keep you cool.

Alisha Domoslai: Give us a brief a brief history of Regular.

Dana Harvey: Regular was erected from the ashes of the Go Rilla! Gallery also located in Santa Ana about two blocks away from our current location. It was started by Dana (me), Brian, and Melissa were the trifurcate or the holy trinity of Regular each of us bringing our special powers to the business. We decided that the best opportunity two dropouts and a college freshman had at life (making money and having fun) is to open up a clothing store.

AD: How did the store’s concept come about?

DH: Brian and I were contemplating opening a clothing store that sold men’s basics in a hip way. We couldn’t come up with a name to save the life of us until I went to the restroom where I get most of my deep thinking done and I thought Regular, and it has all been down hill from there.

AD: What kind of merchandise do you sell?

DH: We sell a unique blend of vintage street wear pre ‘93 and rock’n’roll fashion. We keep the nineties in mind a lot with it’s throwback to the seventies, and we all loved the Beastie Boys and the iconic brand they created with Crown Royal. We sell less clothing than hand out culture.

AD: Is there a “Regular” philosophy on style?

DH: Be nice to everyone, affordability, beer, and fun. When we opened our doors, actually before we even opened our doors, we knew we didn’t want to be that lame store on Melrose that everyone wants to be with over priced clothes that are aimed at poor skaters and kids with some jerk behind the register or smoking outside not giving any help to those who aren’t hip enough. We are the anti-brand, and we play cooler music than most stores.

AD: On your site you talk about the recession. What are some ways people can stay “fly” during these tough times?

DH: I personally think that whole eighties excess comeback we saw in the early 2000’s was totally trite. Everything was about money and drugs and not giving a damn about anything. This crisis, and it is a crisis, is a good thing. It is a wake up call to Americans that we need to change our attitudes and fashion is terrible, ask Oscar Wilde, but clothing as art and punk as individualism is fly and money is not a factor in my opinion. We have a new outlook and a new era of style. I am not advocating socialist chic just thinking for yourself and less about an almighty “brand.” I mean that’s a joke.

AD: After browsing your blog, it looks as though the store also serves as a mini-skate    park and a great place to host parties. Do you hold events often?

DH: Every day is an event at Regular. We have the regulars and they come everyday and skate and party and wax philosophic. I swear to God our store looks like a Benetton ad at all times.

AD: What can shoppers expect when they come into the boutique?

DH: Sweet tunes, mellow vibes, rad clothing, nice people, skateboarding, maybe even new friends.

AD: How do you feel about the cultural renaissance that Downtown Santa Ana has been experiencing in recent years?

DH: It is rad. I mean Santa Ana is “the downtown of Orange County”, I have friends that live in picturesque Laguna and they drive out here because it is so much more culturally relevant. We love art. It flows through our blood with fashion, cinema, graphic design, etc. and that is what Santa Ana is. It is alive and flowing with art. I mean someone could make a coffee table book out of just quick snapshots taken throughout the place. Also big shout out to the Crosby they are doing it hard.

AD: You have some sweet graffiti art on your walls. Are artist collaborations important to the store?

DH: Actually that was the first time we have collaborated with an artist. The artist in question is a good friend, Bair of the Zulu Kings graffiti crew started by Afrika Bambatta. That is totally rad to me, and he killed it. I think just having artists around at all times and integrating the thoughts of people that use creativity almost everyday with our store is always making it a better and cooler environment. We look forward to doing a lot with artists. We eventually want to get our exterior wall turned into an open graffiti wall.

AD: What do you hope to see in Regular’s future?

DH: Something that is there for kids to skate and buy stuff for cheap. I mean its all about the kids. We are kids. We are 20, 19, and 18. We just all hope that we keep the force of it going along, and we want that sell out factor to never take a toll on our souls. Right now we are just making it and just making it is hard. I hope we can live off this little project in the future but never sell our souls to the corporate devil.

Regular 2202 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92706 ( 714)343-4189www.everydayregular.com

Photos courtesy of Regular