Surf shop owner sees synergy among East Granada businesses

Ormond Beach Observer
Business

The Ormond Beach Planning Board unanimously approved a special exception for an outdoor display of surfboards at Granada Surf Shop, 220 E. Granada Blvd. at their June 13 meeting.

Dave Mongeau, who owns the shop along with wife Rebecca, said the surfboards have been a big help in attracting attention to his business.

Planning Board members said it was a good example of how special exceptions can help a business.

“This is the exact reason we can’t rid of special exceptions,” said board member G.G. Galloway.

Al Jorczak said it shows how a small thing can improve a business.

After the meeting, Mongeau said foot traffic has improved a lot for businesses on the south side of Granada Boulevard in the last two years. He pointed to Donnie’s Donuts, Preppy Beach and Tomoka Brewery as attracting customers.

“This corner was forgotten for a long time,” he said.

Unfortunately, there are no pedestrian crosswalks between State Road A1A and Halifax Drive and Mongeau sees people running across the busy thoroughfare from Granada Plaza.

Mongeau has been in the area since 1990, working at surf shops as well as a stint in the “corporate world.”

He’s always had an affinity for the ocean, whether it’s fishing or surfing, and said just wading out into the surf is a calming, relaxing experience. Owning his own surf shop has been a longtime dream.

The Mongeaus are also involved in the community, such as donating items to raise money for Salty Church and charities.

“I want to help out those in my own backyard,” he said.

The name carries a bit of history. There was a Granada Surf Shop in that location around 1980.

Granada Surf Shop has a large selection of locally-shaped boards as well as boards from California. He has surf clothes not found in the big box stores.

Call 386-317-2424.