When one of the largest beach stores in the world opens its doors, a ribbon cutting isn’t enough.
For three days straight from Feb. 27 through March 1, the staff at Surf Style in Marathon gave locals and visitors an opening extravaganza to celebrate the company’s 55,000-square-foot flagship location. Kids climbed aboard a mechanical bull shark for a bucking ride, rocked airbrush T-shirts and tested their steady legs on the store’s perpetual wave FlowRider attraction – following the example set by pro surfers dropping in throughout the weekend.
Giveaways galore, drink tastings, product demos and a performance by the Marathon High School band followed a ceremonial grand opening by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce with local business leaders and elected officials.
Guests of honor for the festivities included world-renowned artists and conservationists Wyland and Guy Harvey, who showcased their merch lines while offering photo ops and signings with fans.
The pair of artists collaborated on the mural gracing the front of the new store, dubbed “Whaling Wall #87 – Florida’s Radiant Reef.” Marking 25 years since its original painting in 2001, the store surprised both with a cake to rededicate the mural and partnership, which Surf Style agreed to preserve during construction at the request of the Marathon community.
“Once they found out what it meant, they did everything they could to make sure it was restored,” Wyland told the Weekly.
