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Tag: West Coast Surf Shop

Surf shop celebrates 60

Surf shop celebrates 60

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Retail.

HOLMES BEACH – Jim Brady’s West Coast Surf Shop is in third place at age 60, with two other Anna Maria Island businesses having been here longer – Irene’s Resort Wear (1956) and Duffy’s Tavern, Bar and Grill (1958) – but the heat ain’t over ’til it’s over.

It was 1964, and Ride the Wild Surf was the big surf movie. Brady’s pals from Manatee High were dancing to the sounds of Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys on the roof of the Manatee Beach pavilion, sizing up suntans, swimsuits and steps.

But Brady’s mind was on a rescue surfboard that lifeguards Dave Miller and Phil Sims were letting him mess around on.

It’s the same old story, ever since the first wave rider caught the first wave. First, it nudges you from behind, catching you just right, then it picks you up and hurtles you forward until you’re walking on the water.

And another surfer is born.

At 16, Brady took surfing so seriously he opened the West Coast Surf Shop where the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is now, selling surfboards, wax and T-shirts.

His grandmother, Aida Brady, and his aunt, Carol Stevens, filled in for him while he went to class. When the surf was up and they weren’t around, he’d hang a sign on the door saying, “Gone surfing.” He remembers guys tracking him down in the water, wanting him to open up the store so they could buy some wax.

He moved to the current shop at 3902 Gulf Drive in 1979, just south of Manatee Beach and across Gulf Drive from Duffy’s original location.

It’s a family business. His wife, Ronee, is usually behind the counter, trademark pencil behind her ear. Their daughter, Brandi, also works there, and has been holding summer surf camp on the beach outside the shop for years. Her kids, Georgio Gomez and Izzi Gomez, are professional surfers based in California.

In 2011, the Bradys put the shop up for sale to spend more time on the surfing circuit with their grandkids. They never sold.

Brady says his surf shop is the oldest in Florida. Ron Jon’s in Cocoa Beach celebrated their 60th anniversary last year, but who can really remember what happened in the ‘60s?

“It’s been 60 years and we’re starting to get a little tired, but I don’t know if we’ll ever retire,” Brady said, adding that his daughter might take over the shop. “There’s nothing I like to do better. It’s what I’ve always done and what Ronee’s always done. We’re happy doing it, and as long as our health permits, hopefully we’ll hang in there.”

Surf campers shred the Gulf

Surf campers shred the Gulf

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Sports, Surfing.

The West Coast Surf Shop Surf Camp in Holmes Beach is underway this month and everyone from toddlers to teens is learning to surf, with the cooperation of the Gulf of Mexico’s gentle waves, courtesy of Tropical Storm Elsa. The campers are known by their surf nicknames.

Shimmer rides it in to the beach.

Shimmer rides it in to the beach.

Panda pumps the wave to gain speed.

Panda pumps the wave to gain speed.

Boogie caught the outside break all morning.

Boogie caught the outside break all morning.

Sweet Pea catches a big wave.

Sweet Pea catches a big wave.

Noserider Nick works on his form.

Noserider Nick works on his form.

Shreddley McGnarley works up to the nose, with former surf camper, now instructor, Ethan Isaac (aka Bear) keeping the balance.

Shreddley McGnarley works up to the nose, with former surf camper, now instructor, Ethan Isaac (aka Bear) keeping the balance.

Baby Killer Whale is up and shredding.

Baby Killer Whale is up and shredding.

Lil’ Cheetah perfects her tube stance.

Lil’ Cheetah perfects her tube stance.

Noserider Nick

Noserider Nick

Surf Shop reopens

Surf Shop reopens

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Business, Retail.

HOLMES BEACH – West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, just south of Manatee Beach, is back in business following a fire on April 15 of last year.

Owners Jim and Ronee Brady had a soft opening Monday morning and plan on a celebration after season when it isn’t so busy, according to Jim Brady.

Meanwhile, it looks and smells new and the store’s footprint hasn’t changed. They still feature items relevant to having fun on the beach and in the water.

“We have most of the lines we carried before plus we added some new ones,” Jim Brady said.

After the fire that damaged the building, but did not destroy it, the Brady family came together, salvaged merchandise and held sales in front of the building to keep income flowing.

Their friends organized a fundraiser for them last July like the many fundraisers that have been held on Anna Maria Island when people are down on their luck, ones that the Bradys contributed to over the years.

Their insurance company covered most of the loss and about two weeks before opening, the Bradys got permission to move in and start stocking shelves.

Surfers and friends are welcome to check out the new store, still the oldest surf shop on Florida’s west coast.

Surf shop reopening soon

Surf shop reopening soon

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Business, Retail.

HOLMES BEACH – The surf is up for the reopening of the West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, after a fire heavily damaged it on April 15, 2018.

Owner Jim Brady was notified Tuesday that the shop’s certificate of occupancy has been approved by the Holmes Beach Building Department.

“We just got the word,” Brady said. “We’ll take down the fence and move the dumpsters and call our suppliers.”

After the fire, Jim and his wife, Ronee, salvaged some merchandise that was in the store and held sales outside, under the fire-damaged facade. They braved high summer temperatures under tents to keep the income flowing.

Friends of the Brady family held a fundraiser at The Center of Anna Maria Island in early July to help them get through the wait as the insurance company settled the claim and reconstruction began.

There were no injuries and the structure stayed intact during the fire.

“We expect we’ll restock and reopen our doors within seven days to two weeks,” Brady said. “Then we’ll have a soft opening soon after that.”

The West Coast Surf Shop is the oldest on Florida’s west coast and the Bradys have been active members of the business community.

During the fundraiser, longtime island resident Joe Hutchinson said, “We decided to have a good old-fashioned fundraiser just like many we’ve held so many times in the past. Through all those events, the Bradys were there contributing items to sell and helping with the work it takes to put on these things. They were at every one of them.”

Now, with a little help from their friends, the Bradys will soon be back in business.

Brady family and friends Center

Island rallies for celebrated family

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Old-timers and new residents turned out Saturday to raise money for Jim and Ronee Brady, owners of the fire-damaged West Coast Surf Shop. The couple is now waiting on insurance money to pay for the damage to their shop and merchandise that was destroyed in the April blaze.

However, insurance won’t cover all their expenses or loss of income since the shop has been closed. And when their friends and fans, who included customers and former employees, heard about their plight, they organized the fundraiser. At press time, there was no count of the money raised.

Ben Webb, who helped to come up with the idea, talked to the crowd about the Bradys’ contributions to the Island.

“We decided to have a good old-fashioned fundraiser just like many we’ve held so many times in the past,” he said. “Through all those events, the Bradys were there contributing items to sell and helping with the work it takes to put on these things. They were at every one of them.”

The crowd applauded, and the family members there waved and posed for photos.

Somebody brought out two skimboards that were in the shop during the fire, and everybody there was asked to sign one of them.

There was music, beer, food, raffles and memories from those who recall how Island residents worked together to help those down on their luck. Webb said he hoped they always would.

Webb Brady Center fundraiser
Ben Webb introduces Jim Brady to the crowd. – Tom Vaught | Sun

Webb said they got the idea for the fundraiser like so many others.

“We were sitting at Duffy’s having some beers, and we decided it would be a great idea,” he said. “Then the girls took it over and handled the details.”

One of those women was Janae Rudacille, who praised the volunteers for their hard work.

Duffy’s Tavern and The Chiles Group restaurants provided the food. Duffy’s co-owner Peggy Davenport served liquor during the event, and Ed Chiles visited the event with his wife, Tina.

“This is another example of the community pulling together to help one of their own,” Chiles said. “The Bradys have been around for years and they have contributed to the fundraisers with donations and labor.”

Trevor Bystrom and Kristie Armas, Chuck Caudill and Kettle of Fish provided the music.

Jim Brady posed for photos and spoke with people he hadn’t seen in years.

“I’m amazed at the turnout,” he said. “We want to thank everybody who showed up and hope to see you when we reopen.”

Surf camp

Surf’s up!

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Sports, Surfing.

Who says there are no waves on the west coast of Florida? Not these surf groms at the West Coast Surf Shop Surf Camp, which is in full swing on Holmes Beach this month.

Surf camp - Cindy Lane | Sun

Surf camp - Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

- Cindy Lane | Sun

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Surf grom gallery

West Coast Surf Shop luau

Luau to benefit West Coast Surf Shop

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

Hula on over to The Center of Anna Maria Island Saturday, June 30 for a community luau to benefit the Brady family, owners of the iconic West Coast Surf Shop in Holmes Beach.

No reservations are needed and the entire community is invited to attend the Hawaiian-style fundraiser. Food is available at the event for purchase and is provided by Duffy’s Tavern and The Chiles Group restaurants with a cash bar featuring beer, wine and rum punch. Entertainment includes local favorites like Trevor Bystrom, performing from 3-4 p.m., Chuck Caudill, performing from 4-5 p.m., and Kettle of Fish, performing from 5-7 p.m.

Live and silent auctions will take place featuring a stay at the Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club, items from Terra’s Handmade Jewelry, photographs by Skip Nall, a gift certificate and basket by Paradise Bagels and Café, and West Coast Surf Shop memorabilia, just to name a few. Limited edition event T-shirts will be available for purchase for $20 each.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. All proceeds go to benefit Jim and Ronee Brady and the West Coast Surf Shop, which was damaged in an April electrical fire. The Bradys have reopened the surf shop with limited hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily outside of its 3902 Gulf Drive location, weather permitting, while repairs are ongoing.

The festivities begin at 3 p.m. and go until 7:30 p.m. at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

For more information, to volunteer or to donate, contact Brandi Brady at 561-267-0847 or Kaitlin Kee at 941-920-2202.

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West Coast Surf Shop employees honored for bravery

Repairs underway at West Coast Surf Shop

Fire hits West Coast Surf Shop

Holmes Beach surf shop fire award Mayor

West Coast Surf Shop employees honored for bravery

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – A fire at the West Coast Surf Shop on April 15 turned staff members Kaitlin Kee, Anna Rehorn and Benjamin Webb from store clerks into heroes when they not only got themselves out of the burning building but also evacuated an estimated 30 patrons.

During the May 22 city commission meeting, Holmes Beach city leaders, along with police Chief Bill Tokajer and members of the West Manatee Fire Rescue district recognized the three for their bravery and quick thinking during the emergency situation.

“Because of their efforts they saved lives,” Tokajer said.

Holmes Beach Surf Shop fire award West Manatee Fire Rescue
West Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Tom Sousa congratulates the staff of West Coast Surf Shop on their bravery in evacuating the store during a fire emergency. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Fire Marshall Jim Davis, reading from Kee’s statement to officials on the day of the fire, said the smoke, believed to be caused by a faulty transformer on a neon light in a window, was first reported to staff by a customer. Upon investigation, the staff of three called 911 and evacuated the building as flames began and smoke started filling the shop. The staff and patrons were not injured. The upstairs apartment was not inhabited at the time of the fire.

“If not for them, it would’ve definitely been a different story,” Davis said.

Once on the scene, it took firefighters about two minutes to fully extinguish the fire. Damage was sustained to the shop’s exterior, the store and the shop’s inventory, which had just been restocked. Damage was estimated at $250,000.

The West Coast Surf Shop is the oldest surf shop on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Owners Jim and Ronee Brady are currently in the process of making repairs to the shop with the hope of reopening in about six months.

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Keep calm and surf on

Repairs underway at West Coast Surf Shop

Fire hits West Coast Surf Shop

Surf Camp

Keep calm and surf on

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Classes, Entertainment.

HOLMES BEACH – The West Coast Surf Shop may be down, but it has not lost its stoke.

Brandi Brady, the daughter of owners Jim and Ronee Brady, plans to hold the annual surf camp on Mondays on June 25, July 2, July 9 and July 16 on the beach in front of the shop, 3902 Gulf Drive.

An April 15 electrical fire caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to the shop, one of Anna Maria Island’s oldest businesses, destroying the contents and much of the building and forcing the Bradys to refuse shipments of spring inventory. No one was hurt in the blaze thanks to quick action by three employees.

The Bradys are ready to start rebuilding the shop and the two rental apartments above it as soon as insurance issues are sorted out, Ronee Brady said, estimating four to six months before the shop will reopen.

Meanwhile, the crew intends to keep calm and surf on.

The surf camp has no age restrictions, but campers must be good swimmers and have good attention spans, she said. To register, call 941-778-1001.

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Repairs underway at West Coast Surf Shop

Fire hits West Coast Surf Shop

Surf grom gallery

West Coast Surf Shop fire

Repairs underway at West Coast Surf Shop

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Featured.

HOLMES BEACH – Jim and Ronee Brady are already speeding down the road to recovery after an April 15 electrical fire devastated their business at the West Coast Surf Shop.

And now, the community is reaching out a helping hand.

As of April 23, a GoFundMe page began by Janae Rudacille has collected more than $7,000 to help rebuild the oldest surf shop on Florida’s Gulf Coast and help both the owners and staff members recover from the tragedy. The fundraiser’s goal is listed as $75,000.

The store, opened by Jim Brady in 1964, has become iconic on Anna Maria Island. When a transformer on a neon sign malfunctioned, it started an electrical fire that damaged the exterior of the building, the second floor, attic space, and destroyed the Bradys’ merchandise stock.

West Manatee Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Ben Rigney said though the fire was put out within a matter of minutes, damage to the building is estimated at $250,000. The quick response of the store’s staff and firefighters meant no injuries were reported, and the fire was put out with minimal damage to the structure.

Jim Brady said he and his wife hope to have the surf shop repaired and up and running in three to six months.

WMFR commissioners agreed unanimously to invite the store’s staff working at the time of the fire to the May commission meeting for a presentation of an award for their quick response and bravery in the situation. During the fire, two store clerks escorted an estimated 30 patrons safely out of the burning building.

“The staff was very proactive,” WMFR Chief Tom Sousa said.

Though Rudacille notes on the fundraiser page that the Bradys have insurance, she said her goal is to give the community a way to rally around the business owners and help support them with unexpected expenses and lost income that insurance may not cover.

Donate to the fundraising campaign.

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Fire hits West Coast Surf Shop

Fire hits West Coast Surf Shop

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in First Place, Special Sections.

Updated April 16, 2018

HOLMES BEACH – A fire caused an estimated quarter million dollars in damage to the iconic West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, the afternoon of Sunday, April 15, but everyone got out safely with no injuries, according to fire officials.Florida Press Association logo - front

Three members of the sales staff on duty evacuated about 30 people from the store, West Manatee Fire Rescue Marshall Jim Davis said.

“The employees did a good job of getting everyone out safely,” WMFR Battalion Chief Ben Rigney said.

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While early observers suggested that lightning was the cause, since the fire occurred during a thunderstorm, an investigation later in the day showed that the fire was electrical and involved a neon light near a window at the front of the shop, he said.

Jim and Ronee Brady, who have owned the store for nearly 55 years, were on Florida’s east coast with their grandson, Giorgio Gomez, who was competing in a surf competition when they got the news.

“It was a shock,” Jim Brady said.

The rental apartment above the shop was vacant, Ronee Brady said, but the timing was especially bad – the store just got in its spring inventory and was fully stocked.

Contents and structural damage is estimated at $250,000, Davis said, adding, “Everything they had in there is gone between the heat and smoke damage.”

Holmes Beach Police Department officers responded quickly to the fire, but by the time they opened the door, the flames were already up to the ceiling, Davis said.

The call came in to WMFR at 2:43 p.m. Four engine companies responded – three from West Manatee Fire Rescue and one from Longboat Key.

“Engine #131 from the Holmes Beach station made a fantastic knock down of the fire because that whole place was ready to go,” he said.

After the smoke cleared, Jim Brady said they’re ready to rebuild the iconic surf shop. He said most of the damage is to the store’s inventory, which will have to be replaced. Contractors were on site Monday morning to assess the structural damage and begin the process of rebuilding.

“Time is the issue now,” he said. The Bradys hope to have the surf shop reopened within 60 to 90 days.

Island icon

The surf shop, next to Manatee beach, is an Island institution, rivaling Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach as the oldest surf shop in Florida.

Ron Jon’s opened in 1963. Brady started his shop in 1964, he thinks – he was only 16 – near the former Pete Reynard’s restaurant and the current Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach.

While he was in class at Manatee High School, his grandmother, Aida Brady, and his aunt, Carol Stevens, filled in for him. When the surf was up, he’d hang a sign on the door saying, “Gone surfing.”

He moved the shop to the present location in 1979, where the Brady’s grandchildren, Giorgio Gomez and Izzi Gomez – champion surfers and paddleboarders – learned their craft.

Facebook friends

Outpourings of sympathy and good wishes appeared immediately on The Sun’s Facebook page as details became available Sunday afternoon.

  • “So sad… the community will come together and help them rebuild and recoup I’m sure. I’m just glad no one was hurt.” – Tiffany An Parker
  • “Oh no… such an island treasure” – Janet Bethart Maze
  • “Dreams and prayers up in smoke, such a shock for the owners… One never knows what may happen, but they will have the tight community support from this wonderful island. They will rise up.” – Priscilla Rattray
  • “This is the best family and the best place. I am sooo sad to hear this. Prayers to the Bradys and their amazing crew.” Heidi Erickson-Kubes
  • “Praying for Mr. and Mrs. Brady – hopefully everyone is ok.” – Marion Young-Welles
  • “Nice shop and really nice people. Hope everyone is ok!” – Cathy Robbins
  • “Praying for the whole family and their business, that is so awful!” – LinVal Grant Price

And on the Surf Shop’s Facebook page, the Bradys wrote: “We just want to say thank you for the overwhelming response of thoughts and prayers! We are so blessed that everyone is ok! Thanks to our heroes, Kaitlin, Anna, & Benny for making sure our customers got out safe and sound! Not to mention the police and firefighters for their valiant efforts to save our livelihood! You don’t know how much it meant to come home to a parking lot full of amazing friends, family, customers, and kind strangers waiting with open arms. It made such a traumatic experience so much more bearable.”

– Joe Hendricks and Kristin Swain contributed to this report