By Toi Creel
A popular Santa Monica surf shop closed for good recently after over 30 years in businesses.
ZJ Boarding House, founded in 1988 on the corner of Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, issued a statement on their website telling their customers about the closing. The last day of business was August 16.
“We are so grateful for all the love and support over the last 32 years. We couldn’t have done it without all of you.”
The shop did have issues with a landlord, Co-founder Todd Roberts told the Santa Monica Daily Press.
He explained the shop could not come to a negotiation on leasing, but they could possibly open up a new location in the future.
“It’s closing because of an unachievable lease agreement that makes sense for the Boardriders to sign a long term lease,” Roberts said. “Because they couldn’t put together an agreement of what was fair rent for March until now and during the closure period, we are parting ways with this space.”
The store was sold to Billabong in 2015, which was acquired by Boardriders in 2018. Robert told the paper that the majority of the more than 80 stores owned by Boardriders were struggling.
He said the shop wanted to continue to stay at the location, but the landlord wasn’t willing who negotiate.
To learn more about ZJ Boarding House, check out the documentary about the store below.
