Surfing-inspired retailer to close downtown

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SoCal-inspired shop coming downtown by way of Kansas

Sharks Surf X Supply, a downtown clothing and apparel shop inspired by Southern California culture, is closing less than a year after opening.

The downtown store opened in February at 301 W. Walnut St., offering T-shirts, hoodies, outerwear, shoes, hats and sunglasses. A Facebook post yesterday announcing the closure said the shop’s last day would be Dec. 22.

Reached this morning, owner Steve Schoepflin said low foot traffic led to sales being “far below expectations” at the Springfield store. He declined to disclose sales.

“I don’t think Springfield quite has the critical mass it takes to get foot traffic downtown during the day,” he said. “We really think Springfield has a ton to offer. I hate the fact that we’re closing. I couldn’t feasibly make it work without some better business.”

Schoepflin, who will continue to operate Sharks Surf X Supply in Lawrence, Kansas — where it’s been in business for around 20 years, originally under founder Chris Cox — said he would consider returning to Springfield at a smaller location and “once there’s some more retailers downtown.”

At the 2,500-square-foot shop — formerly the home of Queen City Cycles — three employees will be affected by the closure later this month, Schoepflin said.

Schoepflin estimated the shop has around $30,000 in inventory remaining. He said any unsold products would return to his Lawrence store.