Local skaters, surfers rejoiced at the news
MAIN STREET — A historic surf and skate shop credited with helping give rise to the fabled Dogtown skate-board culture looks as though it is here to stay.
The owner of 2001-2011 Main Street, which houses Horizons West Surf Shop, as well as artists studios for Annie Sabroux and John Baldessari, withdrew a demolition permit application on Oct. 19.
A part of Horizons West Surf Shop is home to Zephyr, a surf and skate shop at the center of the birth of modern skateboarding.
The Dogtown community came out in opposition to the owner’s plans to demolish the building in order to erect a mixed-use development, arguing the shop has historical significance as a place where the modern style of skateboarding was created.
Set to review the demolition permit during a hearing last month, the Landmarks Commission postponed discussion about Horizons West to Monday night’s meeting because of the potential historical significance of the building. But the discussion was never legally able to take place on Monday because the owner withdrew the application last month, according to city Associate Planner Roxanne Tanemori.
The commission has agendized a discussion item for its Dec. 11 meeting to consider nominating the building as a city landmark.
The skate and surf communities rejoiced in the news that the owner, 2001 Main Street LLC, nixed demolition plans, for now.
“It’s definitely a positive action that will be appreciated by Santa Monica residents and surfing and skating communities world-wide,” said Troy Hyatt, who brought it to the commission’s attention that the building was historic. “There were various groups and various surfing magazines that got involved to preserve this building.”
The owner was not available for comment by deadline on Tuesday.
Ted Winterer, a frequent patron of Horizons West, said there is a rumor circulating that the landlord was surprised by the outcry from the community and decided to hold off on plans.
“This place is a shrine to skateboarders and it may not be something that appeals to the Daughters of the American Revolution’s type of history, but it is Ocean Park history,” Winterer said.
The subject of two feature films — “The Lords of Dogtown” and “Dogtown and Z- Boys,”a documentary — the original owners of Zephyr assembled a skating team of unknown street kids from Dogtown. That Zephyr skate team is believed to have changed history when they performed in the 1975 Bahne-Cadillac National Skateboard Championship, introducing an aggressive style of skateboarding in an era accustomed to gymnastic-like routines.
Original Z-Boy Nathan Pratt opened Horizons West Surf Shop in 1977 after Zephyr closed its doors. Current store owner Randy Wright took over 10 years later.
The building’s owner was planning to build what would’ve been the first privately-owned mixed-used development in Santa Monica to be certified as an environmentally sound building by the federal government. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is a designation the United States Green Building Council uses for developments that incorporate “green” elements.
After the new building had been completed, the landlord had reportedly planned to ask Wright and Horizons West Surf Shop to return.
Those who fought to preserve the building say they hope developers will think twice before making plans to demolish pieces of Santa Monica history in favor of the mega condominiums that have popped up around town.
“It’s important to send a message to developers that this entire city isn’t up for sale,”said Jacob Samuel, a long-time resident of Santa Monica.
Samuel said he has seen the Ocean Park neighborhood change dramatically since he graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1969.
“I don’t expect it to remain the same, but I would like to see some historic continuity in architecture of the area,” Samuel said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 15, 2006. Read the original PDF.