I’m writing a story on how to get your surf fix while living in the city, so as part of my research this week, I’ve been visiting New York’s surf shops…
Saturdays Surf NYC is a city-chic surf shop located at 31 Crosby Street (SoHo). The selection of goods is smallish, but they do have beautiful JC and Lightning Bolt boards of all different colors, shapes, and sizes- along with cold water wax and leashes. The back door opens onto a courtyard, which may or may not be occupied by a humongous brown dog.
Choosing to capitalize on surfers’ coffee dependence, Saturdays put a tiny café area in the front of the shop- okay, it’s really just a counter with fancy espresso machines. The lattes are made with love by friendly, handsome guys- something that’ll cost you extra: $4 for a small, no special requests. It’s good coffee, however, and walking away with your understated white cup will definitely make you feel “cool.” Unless, that is, you’re fumbling to take covert photos of the place:
I first heard about Mollusk from someone in Portland, Maine, if you can believe it, so it’s kind of an institution. When you walk around the corner from Metropolitan Avenue to River Street (BK), you’ll find a little, wooden deck, and a door that says “Push Hard.” The interior of the store is much smaller than you’d expect, based on the massive, spray-painted exterior, but trust me, none of your surfing needs are neglected.
Wax, leashes, wetsuits, thousand-dollar boards… they’re all at your disposal in this cozy, if somewhat chilly, little shop. Mollusk boasts an enormous selection of books and movies, both mainstream- Hollywood, even- and obscure.
Maybe the best thing about Mollusk is that it feels intimate. You and Mike, the guy who runs the place, will probably have at least three mutual friends- he even knows my Maine guy. It definitely feels like the type of place where you could just stop in and talk surf for 20 minutes or so.
The entrance is in the back of 210 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg.
Water, Water Everywhere And Not A Drop To Drink 