Bright Businesses: Island Surf Shop

Since 1977, Island Surf Shop has been a popular hangout for local beach lovers and Indian Rocks Beach tourists alike.

Larry Garrison, Island Surf Shop owner, bought the store four years ago from the original owner. Prior to purchasing the surf shop, Garrison sold boats at Boat and Motor Super Stores in Palm Harbor.

Garrison's favorite part about owning a surf shop business, is the freedom.

"I don't have to shave, and I can walk around bare foot," Garrison said. "During the winter I some times wear my pjs to work. So that's pretty cool."

Garrison's dog, Mojo, greets customers by lifting his head from a doggie bed near the front door. Mojo, a 13-year-old Hound Mix, was a rescue from the SPCA eleven years ago.

“Some customers come back just to visit him,” Garrison said.

In addition to expanding the brand name sandal collections, clothing lines, and sun glasses four years ago, the Island Surf Shop started board rentals. The store rents stand up paddleboards, surfboards, and skimboards.

Garrison delivers the boards with a bicycle and wagon across Indian Rocks Beach, free of charge.

Even kids and dogs can paddleboard, Garrison says, and at the Island Surf Shop they do. He hasn't had a chance to bring Mojo, but would like to soon.

It costs $40 dollars to rent a paddle board for half a day, and $75 dollars for a full day. Island Shop offers free paddleboarding lessons by appointment from 8a.m. to 9a.m. daily.

"It's a rip off to purchase lessons,” Garrison said. “Some people are intimidated by paddleboards and think it's hard but it's not. All you need are calm waters and the right sized board.”

Over the past four years, Island Shop has sponsored more than a dozen local kids in surf and skimboarding competitions.

Olivia Bush, a 16-year-old Indian Rocks Beach resident, has competed in local girls and women's surf competitions and has won multiple times in both categories. Olivia is one of the locals sponsored by Island Surf Shop.

“The kids all hang out here anyway. They usually just make a mess,” Garrison said. "Or they play on the Playstation 2, and Indo board, but they are pretty entertaining."

The Island Surf Shop sells men's and women's T-shirts, shorts, tanks, bags, sandals, sun glasses, and more. The store contains popular surf brands including: Roxy, Lost, Volcom, Reef, Rainbow, Sanuk, Billabong, Hurley, and Quicksilver.

The Island Surf Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9a.m. to 8p.m., and Sunday from 9a.m. to 5p.m.