Surf shop Makin’ Waves is reopening its doors today in a new location, five months after it closed its long-time store on Front Street.

The new premises in the Boyle Building near the corner of Church Street boasts 12-foot ceilings and more than 3,000 square feet of retail space, 40 percent more than its old shop.

With their new spacious quarters, owners Stuart Joblin and Douglas Patterson have brought in new products, including skate boards, stand-up paddle and surf boards as well as a larger selection and size range of both ladies’ and men’s casual clothing, swim suits, sunglasses and accessories.

“We have much more space, ceilings are higher and a different, more open configuration,” said Mr Joblin in an interview with

The Royal Gazette.

Makin’ Waves moved from their Front Street location in October where they were located for 25 years after their landlords, local insurance company, Freisenbruch Meyer, said it was looking to occupy the ground-floor space.

The owners of Makin’ Waves looked for a new location for more than two years before deciding on Church Street.

“We’re cautiously optimistic; our move was not prompted by choice and especially in this economy but we think our new location will give us better access to the local market,” said Mr Joplin.

He added that with City Hall car park across the street and the businesses located on Bermuda’s “little Wall Street” Par La Ville Road he hopes for better walk-in traffic than they had on Front Street.

“On Front Street, if it wasn’t a Saturday, holiday or Harbour Night, we weren’t getting the local walk-in traffic we wanted,” he said.

Mr Joplin estimates that his business is split “50/50” between tourist and local business and with cruise ship visits dwindling, he says, his new location is better suited for the changing economy.

The shop has five full-time employees, none of which were laid off during the move. Makin’ Waves also has a second Dockyard store on Chamber Road that was open during the hiatus.

“We’re hoping the move is good in the long run,” he said, adding that they have done all their summer buying already. “All you can do is look in your crystal ball and hope for the best.”

The new Church Street store will be open from Monday through Saturday, 9 to 6pm until May and then will open seven days a week.