Meet David McIntosh | Purveyor of Stoke

We had the good fortune of connecting with David McIntosh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My reason for opening the first Midtown Surf Shop was less about wanting to start a new business and more of a reaction to a surf retail industry that was in need of a fresh approach.

What should our readers know about your business?
At Midtown Surf Shops we have one simple goal and that is for every person who walks through our doors to leave happier than when they arrived. Whether you are a world champion surfer or you’ve never surfed a day in your life, you can always expect to be treated with love and respect in our shops. That starts by hiring genuinely warm and caring people who love to share their stoke for surfing and fashion. From there a lot of effort goes into making the experience feel effortless and the challenge is always in finding fresh new ways to engage with our customers. We do this by constantly trying new things, from introducing new products, to merchandising in fun and interesting ways, to regularly getting customer feedback. Risk taking has always been in our DNA and we’ll go to great lengths to keep the vibe fresh and exciting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our shops are located in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, which feature some of the world’s best beaches and mountains. Visitors here can practically throw a dart on any of our county maps and hit something truly breathtaking. From world class surfing at places like Steamer Lane, to epic hikes in our many renowned state and national parks, to golfing at the famed Pebble Beach, to fabulous dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea… if you’re looking for the best of what nature has to offer, it’s here along California’s central coast.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to every surfer who paddles into the ocean with joy in their hearts and love for those around them.

Website: http://midtownsurfshop.com

Instagram: midtownsurfshop

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Youtube: midtownsurfshop

Image Credits
All photos (5): Nolan Sullivan, except inside shop photos (3): Vinny Prograce