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February 18, 2008

A flip-flop store? Huh?

Walked by the building Vineyard Wine and Spirits used to occupy at 1137 S. Charles St. and was stunned.

It's being replaced by a flip-flop and surf apparel store!

Guess there's more money in boogie boards than beer and wine.

Weird.

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:17 AM | | Comments (15)
Categories: Random stuff
        

Comments

Men who wear flip-flops should be dragged into an alley and beaten.

*shudder*

Bowling Ben, don't you want to Bring the Beach to Baltimore?

Flip, flop, flip, flop ...

I used to be a die hard Birkenstock wearer freshman/sophomore years of college. Rain, sleet, snow, I was all about the sandals. Then I realized I'd turned into a walking cliche.

While it may seem strange... There is a lot less competition in the Surf/Ski apparel than beer and wine. It is not unheard of for people to go to the beach or ski from Baltimore. There are very few stores in Baltimore selling brands like Reef, Hurley, etc... on every other corner there is a store selling beer and wine. In the summer, even in the city, people like to wear sunglasses, flip flops, summertime wear, go boating etc...

Fells Point Surf Shop seems to do decent business, I buy one or two things from them a year.

I think more retail is good, not weird as you suggest.

Weather permitting, flip-flops are still my footwear of choice even now that I've entered my 30's. However, having grown up in a beach town, I still chuckle when I walk by "surf shops" in the Towsontown Center or Fells Point...when was the last time someone paddled out to catch some waves off of the Thames St pier?!?!

Flip-flops: $3
Beer at near-by Ropewalk: $4
Enough flip-flop wearing ex-Frat-guys-sorority-girls to keep hipsters out of Fad Hill? Priceless

Brah, I just got in from catching some major curl off Sparrows. I was amped for the rockin' barrels on my big gun. Wicked crunchers out there. I'm beaching out and hittin' up this gnarly flip flop joint now, brah.

um. We probably shouldn't drag anyone in to an alley and beat them.

g, it's a drag or be drug world.

Sam,
Thanks for starting the thread, the conversation is priceless and at the same time very Baltimore. While beer and wine are on every corner, Flip flops and lifestyle companies are not.
We are trying to restore neighborhood pride and give the neighborhood a sense of evolution and destination. No there are no waves in sight, atleast on the outside, we offer an atmosphere complete with sand, coolers and much
more, not to mention Flip-flops, lots of them and other surf apparel. Minus the boogie boards of course ( no waves in sight remember). to our other poster here, "$3 for FLip flops, more like $30 to $60" and the interest has been enormous. So Sam.. come on in tour is on me and so are your first pair of FLOPS... see you at 1137 we open next Friday.>>> If it doesnt work out I'll have to get a job with the SUN

OWNER

Hey Sam,

Also forgot to ask, Did you mention to your reader you have an online surf shop, that sells flip flops ??? I guess thats not so weird..... Maybe the SUN would find that in conflict of your Blog, still come on in, tour and first pair of Flops are free. Or maybe its a different Sam Sessa? Who knows

I saw these last two comments...and started laughing.

I literally rolled my eyes into the back of my head and passed out in addition to laughing.

Evan, are you sure it wasn't the ether?

I was kind of shocked that there was a whole flip-flop store in Fed Hill (my 'hood) too. Now granted, flip-flops are haute couture around here, but hopefully these guys will actually sell more than that.

Kudos to more apparel and specialty shops like that in Tha 'Hill; I will continue to patronize them! But is anyone else surpised that the American Apparel store on Light Street is still open? I think I've seen 5 people in there in the time it's been there...

Thanks for give good information

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About Sam Sessa
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
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