Aqua East Surfshop

When did you start your business?

Aqua East opened its first location on April 1, 1973 in Neptune Beach, FL Since then it has grown and now includes a location in St. Augustine and a growing e-commerce site.

Do you consider the location of your shop a key factor to the business’s success?

The location is helpful since both of our locations are on your way to the beach but I think it's the customer service, wide selection, and knowledge able sales people that bring people back. We encourage our employee to be active in the sport's communities we are a part of(surf, wake, skate, kayak, snowboaring, etc.)

Who is your average buyer?

I would say the average customer is a mix of the late teen/early twenties generation and the 35+ parent's who have grown up locally and have known Aqua East is the place to go for over 35 years.

Does your store support any local surfers or have a surf team?

Aqua East supports surfing locally as much as possible! Our team includes local favorites such as Jason Motes, Scott Holmes, & Jody Davis as well as up and comers like Shane Murray,The Cunningham Children, Chelsea Gresham, Teale Beckenbach, Logan Raulerson, and Kenny Sinisgalli.

Have you ever had any type of celeb roll in and make a purchase?

Davis Duval, Robert August, Any all sorts of Jaguar Football Players.

And last but not least tell us one of the craziest shop stories you can remember?

We once had a homeless person try to spend the night in the store by hiding until everyone left. He instead set off the motion detectors and was escorted out by the police. No charges were made.