Redondo Beach shop became a cornerstone of the industry and is still operated by the family's third generation. Ron Jon Surf Shop ClosedCocoa Beach, FL, United States
The story of the surf shop is a blend of grassroots entrepreneurship and a deep-seated passion for the ocean. Originally appearing in the early 1950s, these shops evolved from small shacks and back-alley storage rooms into cultural hubs that defined the surfing lifestyle. SURF SHOP
Ron DiMenna started by selling boards from his father's grocery store in Long Beach Island before opening the famous Cocoa Beach flagship in 1963. Redondo Beach shop became a cornerstone of the
Ocean Beach. He famously introduced the first "wetsuits," allowing surfers to stay in the water longer. Dive N' Surf ClosedRedondo Beach, CA, United States Founded by Bill and Bob Meistrell, this Ron DiMenna started by selling boards from his
In the beginning, surf shops were often rudimentary. Many early shops, like McKevlin’s Surf Shop (1965), began in storage rooms and sold hand-cut blocks of paraffin wax from local grocery stores. Surf Shop Stories: Episode 1 Billy Meistrell - Dive N Surf
Modern surf shops were born from a need for specialized gear that didn't exist in mainstream retail. Jack O'Neill (1952) Credited with opening one of the first dedicated shops in