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San Clemente Journal

The Beach Company Celebrates San Clemente Culture

May 22, 2019 01:03PM ● By Nina Welch

Alison Northrup and her three daughters; Sydnie 17, Kaitlyn 15, and Kendall 13.

by Nina Welch

San Clemente local Alison Northrup
opened The Beach Company on Del Mar a year ago in May. Since the Mediterranean climate of San Clemente tends to average in the ‘70s, the store carries beach gear all year long. 

Everything that celebrates San Clemente culture is available in her store--bikinis, one-pieces, tankinis, cover-ups, flip flops, hats, sunglasses, beach towels, tote bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts and leggings. No dude clothes at The Beach Company, but the dudes can purchase gifts for their wives, daughters, or girlfriends … and they do. 

With three teenage daughters living at the beach, Sydnie - 17, Kaitlyn - 15, and Kendall - 13, Alison is familiar with beach style, especially bathing suits for girls and women. She carries lines that are fresh and fun for mothers, daughters, and summer visitors. Sydnie works in the store 1-2 days a week during the school year, and 3-4 days a week in the summer. She also helps develop the website and maintains other social media needs. She accompanies her mother to trade shows, and she enjoys contributing her youthful perspective of what girls her age would buy. Both Alison and her daughter pick styles and designs that are current and represent the beachy Southern California girl. 

“Opening this business has been a dream come true for our family. After years of hard work, the stars aligned and we said, let’s do this,” said Alison. Her husband, Sean, is a behind-the-scenes business partner adding his experience in inventory planning and corporate retail. It’s all in the family. 

The Northrups are fourth generation San Clemente locals. Sean’s great grandmother, Betty Chapin, moved to San Clemente in 1945. She ran a real estate and insurance office. Sean’s grandfather, Stanley Northrup, was mayor of San Clemente in the ‘60s. He was a fighter pilot in WWII, was shot down over New Guinea and survived.  The San Clemente High School reunions are surely dominated by Northrups. Sean, his dad, Neil, and daughters Sydnie and Kaitlyn plus Northrup cousins, aunts, and uncles share the honor of being Tritons. Kendall will also attend San Clemente High keeping in step with the Northrup legacy.  
On a summer day or any day of the year, customers of the shop have been known to purchase a T-shirt or sweatshirt with San Clemente emblazoned on the front to represent the charming city by the sea, whether they’re a local or a tourist from Nebraska.