LOCAL RETAILER • Madson

THE OSIDER JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023

MADSON WORDS: ALICIA STONE PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER

For the past ten years, the only constant for us Osiders has been change. We’ve seen small businesses give it their best shot and not survive, and we’ve seen large corporations and chain restaurants come and go faster than they can change the name on the side of the building. But it’s not often we have a business start here in Oceanside, buckle down, and work their way to being reintroduced to the community in an organic way.

That’s what Madson Sunglasses has been able to do with the opening of their new retail space on Tremont Street. Madson was started in the valley by owners Alan Ek and Tony Davis in 2014 with the hope of someday making their way closer to the coast. The friends and co-founders weren’t strangers to the sunglass industry and decided to start their own company making high quality glasses using the same top-quality materials as other premium brands, while avoiding the inflated mark-up to keep their products affordable and accessible to everyone.

Madson built relationships with large retail stores and stayed firmly planted in their roots of simple classic design, never sacrificing quality and service and continuing to deliver glasses at the best value in the market. Five years ago, they found an available building on Tremont, bringing their vision of moving their offices closer to the beach to fruition, though that area wasn’t anything like it is now.

Alan said, “Tremont wasn’t exactly known for shopping and foot traffic. For a long time, we were operating without signage and bars on the windows. We always wanted a showroom where people could try on our products and get the full experience. It’s been fun to connect with our customers. Recently, we’ve added prescription glasses to our assortment so we’re able to offer that service in person.”

In addition to prescription eyeglasses, goggles, blue light glasses, apparel, and accessories, they have also done some cool collaborations with well known names. They recently launched their women’s collection, “June First,” focusing on modern takes on vintage styles inspired by Hollywood’s golden age and named after Marilyn Monroe’s birthday. The classic shapes and sleek packaging reflect that intent and they really look like something you’d find in a high-end boutique. Local policemen, firefighters, and lifeguards heard about the brand early on and through word of mouth, Madson was embraced by our local first responders. When the pandemic hit, the company not only fought through like other businesses but decided there was a way they could use their skillset to make Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for our front line workers. It’s a very “Oceanside” approach to what was a difficult time for companies around the world.

Madson’s plans moving forward include hiring some new employees to support their growth and continue working on new collaborations as well as the release of a new Optical line. Alan said, “Oceanside is home to us. It is a diverse, multicultural city with a rich history as a blue collar, working-class community. The city’s residents are known for their down to earth attitudes, grit, determination, and tight knit community pride. Those are the values at the core of Madson’s foundation. For us, it’s all about keeping it local, holding on to the culture that built this city. We understand the importance of supporting those that have been here long before Oceanside had 5 star resorts. The brands that we will continue to support and grow alongside are those that continue to give back to the community more than they have taken from it. That’s our formula going forward. To give back more than we take.”

The Madson team (L to R): Trent Haaland, Tony Davis, Karla Davis, Alan Ek, Kasey Curtis, Kylie Quinn, and Stuart Silverstein.

Madson Sunglasses 615 S Tremont St (888) 273-1664 madsonofamerica.com @madson