MN Outdoor Furniture Brand Yardbird Launches

Yardbird, the budget-friendly, high-quality outdoor furniture brand that debuted last year, has officially launched—just in time for patio season. After a successful test-run last spring that included a St. Louis Park pop-up and website, the Minnesota-based brand is back with a line of outdoor furniture at a fraction of the cost of many of its competitors. 

The brand was founded by the father-son team of Bob and Jay Dillon, who blend Bob’s decades of experience as an importer of high-end European home goods with Jay’s background in product development and sourcing. Eight years ago when Bob began to source outdoor furniture, he stumbled upon an untapped market—patio furniture with the look of Pottery Barn and Restoration Furniture, for less.

“The idea of Yardbird began when we looked at the industry and realized the price disparity in the outdoor furniture industry,” says Jay Dillon in a press release. “We didn’t think that disparity was justified and we saw an opportunity to bring the same high-end product to consumers at a fraction of the cost by simplifying the industry model and cutting out the middlemen.”

Because the company sells directly to customers, it’s able to keep prices low, ranging from $1,280 to $3,499 for a complete set. The company offers free shipping on orders over $1,500, which includes white-glove delivery and set-up in most locations. During its initial retail test in 2017, it sold more than $1 million in product.

Though its initial collection was made from handwoven resin wicker (the most popular option for high-end outdoor furniture due to its durability), Yardbird has evolved to make sustainability part of its core mission, using resin wicker made from 50 percent intercepted ocean plastic. The brand has incorporated more than 30,000 pounds of ocean plastic into its furniture already this year. Plus, the brand will accept all products back at the end of their lifecycle to be recycled into new outdoor furniture.

The brand has signed a long-term lease for a store directly across from the Shoppes at Knollwood in St. Louis Park that’s a significant upgrade from its pop-up space. In addition to its ten core collections, the brand has also added dining sets, fire tables, and chat sets (a set of two chairs and a side table for small patio spaces) to its product offerings. Yardbird’s loveseat, sofa, and sectional sets feature modern twists on classic designs, such as faux weathered teak, modular designs, and elegant, low-maintenance aluminum-frame pieces. Each piece of Yardbird furniture also features a sturdy, weather-resistant aluminum frame and mildew- and stain-resistant Sunbrella cushions (the standard-bearer of high-end furniture textiles). Shop the full collection now at its store and its new website.

Now open @ Yardbird, 8215 MN-7, St Louis Park, yardbird.com