One day, artist and filmmaker Scott Nuñez-Peterman was having a Gin & Tonic with his wife Katie at the Americana at Brand in Glendale. He wondered aloud, "So many places we love have merch. But why isn't there merch for the places nobody loves? And why does all the merch in Anaheim have a mouse or a baby yoda on it? Why isn't there more trashcan merch, or water fountain merch, or W.E.D. merch..." At this point, Katie interrupted and ordered another round. Thus Eastside Outfitters was born.