Pocket Monkey Vintage has a multitude of retro clothing and items packed into one small space. (Photo by Benjamin Miramontes)

The building this business rests in was originally built in the 1880s, making it one of the oldest pieces of history we have on First Street. At its base however, there is a very clear clash with some modern looking black tile which was installed in the 1950s. It is only fitting then that Pocket Monkey Vintage sits in a building with these two clashing architectural styles from different eras.
Pocket Monkey Vintage is Benicia’s only men’s vintage clothing store. Just as it fills that niche well for this town, the space it inhabits is about an equivalent size. The business is snug, comfortable enough to easily ask the owner Jason Brome any questions one may have at any point when popping in. The vibrant colors of the fabrics being sold breathe life into the walls and the feeling of this comfortable, little space outside the current conventional confines of what a clothing store should be. Do not be mistaken by this store’s size. The variety is wide, and inventory moves in and out often.
While visiting the space, Brome showed me the wide range of Hawaiian shirts he has, many with colorful, wonderful and often quirky designs.
The wonderful little quirks did not stop at some flamboyant and colorful Hawaiian shirt designs either. The walls are lined with little iconic antique statues and figurines, almost stating that there was no single time period being represented there. Clothes are not hung from regular plastic or metal rods. The rods are replaced with pool cues and golf clubs and bamboo. In addition to Hawaiian shirts– 99 percent of which were made in Hawaii– there are countless Levi’s button up shirts, many of which are from the ’50s. There are numerous T-shirts from different concerts and music festivals. Among the band T-shirts were some very rare finds for collectors, like a Grateful Dead concert tour shirt that was in mint condition. Antique leather, sports and Levi’s jean jackets were also in stock and looking to be strutted in.
Dating showed in different items in many ways. Brome showed me a Volkswagen jacket that was made in Taiwan and also had the initials for the Republic of China. It helped to drive the point that Pocket Monkey Vintage held history within its walls.
All the clothes in stock were in excellent condition. Brome informed me that he acquired most of his inventory at different events like the Alameda Vintage Fair. Many items are found in Reno, Nev. as well. These are not your average button up shirts found at a Target. They are sturdier, softer, higher quality items. It also helps that they look very nice.
“Vintage clothing is built to last,” Brome said. “The whole thing about vintage is, you want something that’s unique for that dinner party or that night out. Your friends will always be able to find you in a crowd.”
Anyone would have a hard time disputing these statements after witnessing the garments for themselves.
If you would like to contact Jay Brome at all for additional information, you can call him at (707) 486-0518. You can also find information on his Facebook and Instagram pages, @PocketMonkeyVintage or #PocketMonkeyVintage. Brome’s email is jay@pocketmonkeyvintage.com.

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