All things for the beach: CB Beach Store

Published 4:00 pm Saturday, January 31, 2009

A new shop has opened in Cannon Beach that will accommodate all of those ill-prepared regional tourists lucky enough to visit on a beautiful day.

Opened in mid-December, CB Beach Store offers almost anything a person could want to take to the beach.

Owners Mark and Maria Mekenas decided to open the store to accommodate their other business, Cannon Beach Surf Shop. The idea was to have a store that offered beach supplies for people who accompany surfers, but have no intention of surfing.

“We now have products to offer those that want to go to the beach, but are not interested in surfing,” said Mark. “We really want to offer something for everybody.”

The Mekenas had a similar operation located only a block away called Family Market that closed just a few days after CB Beach Store opened.

“Family Market was similar but focused more around groceries,” he said. “Once our lease ran out at the market, we decided to change the concept and move it to the property that we already own, where the surf shop is.”

CB Beach Store will offer snacks, beer, toys, umbrellas, beach chairs, sunscreen, and almost anything else that one could want or need at the beach.

The store opened on their property in the old surf shop location, while the surf shop has moved into a new addition to the building. As a result, the two businesses are now connected.

“When I was still part of the corporate world in the city I would always joke that I was going to get fed up one day, move to Cannon Beach, and open a surf shop and beach store,” said Mark. “I always thought it was a good idea and made it my goal.”

Mark and Maria pride themselves on being from Cannon Beach. They have lived there since they opened Family Market over 10 years ago. The employees in the surf shop and beach store also live in Cannon Beach. The first priority of the shop is to offer American-made goods, while the second is to offer products from the American continents.

CB Beach Store

Address: 1088 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Seven days a week.
Phone: (503) 436-0251
Web site: cannonbeachsurf.com