Some Tacoma stories are so wonderfully strange they sound made up… except they’re true.
Long before Bob’s Java Jive became an icon of Tacoma nightlife, it was already legendary. Housed inside its unmistakable coffee pot-shaped building, the Jive was once home to two chimpanzees named Java and Jive—a wonderfully bizarre piece of local history that has become part of Tacoma folklore. Yes, they really lived there. And yes… the stories you’ve heard are probably true.
Inspired by that unforgettable chapter of Tacoma history, this tee features James Hume’s iconic Smoking Monkey artwork, reimagined as a vintage badge worthy of one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Equal parts rock ‘n’ roll, roadside Americana, and Tacoma weirdness, it’s a design that celebrates the playful spirit that has always made the Java Jive unlike anywhere else.
Whether you remember the live music, karaoke, unforgettable conversations, or simply driving past the world’s most famous coffee pot, this shirt is a tribute to one of Tacoma’s true originals.
Part of the Tacoma Loyal Collector Series—celebrating the places, people, and wonderfully weird stories that helped shape our city, one design at a time.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Some Tacoma stories are so wonderfully strange they sound made up… except they’re true.
Long before Bob’s Java Jive became an icon of Tacoma nightlife, it was already legendary. Housed inside its unmistakable coffee pot-shaped building, the Jive was once home to two chimpanzees named Java and Jive—a wonderfully bizarre piece of local history that has become part of Tacoma folklore. Yes, they really lived there. And yes… the stories you’ve heard are probably true.
Inspired by that unforgettable chapter of Tacoma history, this tee features James Hume’s iconic Smoking Monkey artwork, reimagined as a vintage badge worthy of one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Equal parts rock ‘n’ roll, roadside Americana, and Tacoma weirdness, it’s a design that celebrates the playful spirit that has always made the Java Jive unlike anywhere else.
Whether you remember the live music, karaoke, unforgettable conversations, or simply driving past the world’s most famous coffee pot, this shirt is a tribute to one of Tacoma’s true originals.
Part of the Tacoma Loyal Collector Series—celebrating the places, people, and wonderfully weird stories that helped shape our city, one design at a time.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
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