Empire State Building, April 2007

More than a few years ago, my buddy Brian decided he needed a more comfortable beach chair. Not satisfied with the chairs he could find in the stores, he set about designing his own. Inspiration struck on a drive to Maine (the state he now calls home) and the Oh Yeah Comfy beach chair was born!

I remember the first time I saw the original chair because when I asked him where he got it, he just said, “I made it.” Naturally, I didn’t believe him at first. It just seemed too well made. But, I was wrong. Brian had, in fact, made the most comfortable beach chair I ever sat in. Soon, I owned one. And, a year or so later, I gave one as a gift to Mary (my then potentially-future-wife).

The chair definitely started a buzz among Brian’s friends and many of us ended up owning one. And, most of the time any of us would have them out, strangers would complement them and check them out. So, Brian followed his dream and went into the beach chair business.

From time to time, he would tell some interesting stories about where the chairs have ended up (glitzy photo shoots in at posh Vegas hotels, Hawaiian beach resorts, Scott’s V.W. bus, etc.). Then, two days ago, I had my own OYC chair sighting. That made my day (and writing this is to make Brian’s day).

I was driving around the parking lot at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The sun was setting and groups of picnickers dotted the beach and grassy point there. In of those small groups, I saw it: a blue OYC standing proudly amid some rickety imported metal beach chairs. But what made my day was that I didn’t recognize, even vaguely, the person sitting in it. That’s the first time I saw a stranger in one of his chairs, and I took it as proof that Brian is on the right track. His chairs are so comfy strangers will buy them!

He’s still making his chairs in Maine and if you get sick of buying lousy metal chairs year after year, check out an Oh Yeah Comfy chair. The canvas and bungee-sprung seat will keep you comfy for years! Ayup.