About 15 years ago, Randy Weston opened Up Up & Away Kites on Main Street.  The shop was the second of its kind that Randy and his mom Monty operated.  Eventually the Shoreline Village location closed, but “the kite shop” on Main continued to thrive.  Soon after Monty took over running the business. Monty was known for her enthusiasm and became a prominent business woman and philanthropist in town.  As the local “Kite Expert” she often donated her time to helping kids learn how to fly a kite, or giving presentations at local schools. She founded the Seal Beach Kite Festival now known as the Japan America Kite Festival…which has been going strong for 13 years.

 

Many people remember Monty as “Mary Poppins” during the Seal Beach Christmas Parade.  But Mary Poppins’ magic didn’t hold a candle to Monty’s incredible energy and spirit. A magic of its own that just made you want to smile every time you were around her.

Sadly, Monty passed away in 2007 after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

But her magic at “the kite shop”  lives on.

Up Up and Away is still family owned and is operated by Monty’s daughter- in-law, Kim Weston.

Over the years Up Up & Away  has changed and evolved into being much more than a kite shop. It’s got a little bit of everything…from a wide selection of home décor flags and yard art to whoopee cushions and books.