Surf Shop ZJ Boarding House Closing After 37 Years on Main Street in Santa Monica

ZJ Boarding House is closing at the end of April, after 37 years in Santa Monica. The shop was founded in 1988.

Founding and History: ZJ Boarding House, a surf and skate shop located at 2619 Main Street, Santa Monica, was opened on December 16, 1988, by Mikke Pierson and Todd Roberts. Initially a small 2,000-square-foot store, it grew into a cultural hub for the local surf, skate, and snowboard community.

Closure in 2025: ZJ Boarding House closed permanently in April 2025 due to the financial troubles of its parent company, Liberated Brands, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 2, 2025.

The bankruptcy led to the liquidation of all 122 Liberated Brands retail locations in the U.S., including ZJ Boarding House. The shop had previously closed temporarily in August 2020 due to unresolved lease negotiations but reopened in spring 2021 after securing a five-year lease. Despite this revival, the bankruptcy forced its final closure.

Surf Shop ZJ Boarding House Closing After 37 Years on Main Street in Santa Monica

Community Impact and Context: The closure was a significant loss for Santa Monica's surf and skate community, with co-founder Todd Roberts emphasizing the shop's role as a community hub. Liquidation sales with 20–50% discounts began in February 2025, and all staff were laid off.