Uhm, surf shops are business's nothing more, nothing less. Don't get all caught up in the nostalgia and romanticism of it all. It is a business, man.
Dude, I miss The Cove. Hell man, I miss seeing Jimmy. The Cove defined the role of what a local shop should be. I was unaware that CB had a rotating roster of shops, other than X-Treme Surf Shop x-tremely failing and moving off the island. Have you checked out CB Surf Shop? Their board room will turn you into a school girl with their Bings, Hobies, Stewarts, Takayamas, Ricky Carrolls, Eaveys and more.
Just like a teacher, a surf shop owner mold your surfing life. Good or Bad. Positively or Negatively. Thank you Don Tarrant "Eastern Lines" for being mine. I love surfing!
and hey, how's about some demo days? Also, I judge a surf shop by the ratio of wetsuits to womens clothing items.