The day after the Agenda show we set out to check up on shops who I've been following online that I feel do an outstanding job of telling their story about what it is that they're doing. First stop was Thalia Surf Shop in Laguna. One of the keys to having a successful shop is building community and supporting that community through events and get togethers. Thalia host art shows and shows by bands who are friends of the shop. The artist, surfers, and musicians who endorse Thalia are pretty much the ones who inspire the So Cal surf subculture.
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Outside view of Thalia Surf Shop from PCH.
Address: 915 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone:(949) 497-3292
Hours:
| Monday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Sunday | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
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| Thalia does an incredible job of merchandising and story telling with imagery as you can see. |
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| Wetsuits, surfboards, skateboards, fins, art, clothing all carefully merchandised together by someone with a good eye and good taste. |
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| Gotta have longboards and a sleeping bag. I believe these longboards were all hand shaped by local shapers. Like I like to always say... support local first! |
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| Pomade, books, zines, videos, slippers, and more cool imgagery. |
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| Hell yeah! No surf shop is complete with out Gregg Kaplan's Plate Lunch Special brand. Gregg individually makes each one of these displays and hand paints the art which coincides with the artwork he does for his tees and hats. All original artwork no photoshop or illustrator creations this comes straight from inside the head of Gregg Kaplan. Did I mention that Gregg is also a local braddah from Maui! |
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| Most of Thalia's house tees were done by collaborating artist friends like Andy Davis, Tyler Warren, and Russ Pope to name a few. The tees are of good quality and have one off artwork just for Thalia. Good deal! |
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| Next door to Thalia is the Vans shop by Thalia. Because Thalia tells such a good story with their shop in regards to the So. Cal surf culture and its history, Vans chose the location next door and partnered with them so that Thalia could interpret Vans the Thalia way which they nailed! |
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| Thalia did a very tasteful display to showcase some of Vans most exclusive collections like the California Collection which is limited to select accounts worldwide. I dig the photos, artwork, and types of wood they use to put together this display. It all goes together very well and helps to tie the story together in a very sincere and tasteful way. |
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| Simple cashwrap with a photo of Joel Tudor with just the right amount of merch. |
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| Vans Surf hanging shoe collection. These are basically simplified versions of regular vans that are made to throw before and after surf with no socks. All insoles are made from the same materials Vans uses for their slipper line so you know these are comfy. |
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| More Gregg Kaplan artwork above the keiki shoe selection. |
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| Surf photos probably done up by one of the many talented friends of Thalia. |
