Salty’s Board Shop, located across from Chick-fil-A in Five Points, is more than a primo retailer; it is the headquarters of Columbia’s boarder culture.
If you board, whether on snow, street or water, you need to know store owner Paul Goff. Since becoming full-time owner of Salty’s Board Shop in 2008, Goff has organized longboarding teams that are currently sponsored by Sector 9, and offers paddleboarding clinics on the Saluda River. He also played an active role in the construction of the Owens Field Skate Park, which is just a short drive away from Five Points.
Salty’s offers a commendable range of products for every board sport imaginable. Skaters will marvel at the towering racks of dashing decks and wide selection of wheels. Longboarders can purchase even the most obscure tools necessary to maintain their boards, in addition to finding top-drawer trucks, bearings and wheels. The collection of Bob Marley longboards was particularly impressive. And, no need to sweat if your board ever malfunctions. Salty’s does tunings and repairs to keep skating gear fresh.
For those who plan to rip up the beaches of Charleston, Salty’s offers dozens of polished skimboards, surfboards and wakeboards. And, although the endless selection of boards can get a little overwhelming, Goff or any of the approachable staff members can explain the nuances of each design. Each sales person is a dedicated boarder in his or her own right.
“I started the store because I love to shred. Boarding is a significant part of my life,” Goff said.
Boarding gear isn’t all the Five Points speciality shop has to offer. Stay fly and suit up with Salty’s trendy apparel, including brands that aren’t offered anywhere else in Columbia, such as RVCA and Jedidiah. Guys’ T-shirts and short-sleeve button-downs are arranged by color, making for convenient mixing and matching.
There’s an abundance of reasonably priced bathing suits as well as an impressive wall of skate and surfer shoes. Salty’s has an ocean of unique, colorful surfer clothes especially suitable for hot days, in addition to literally hundreds of bikinis. The five enormous shelves of sandals and six cases of sunglasses round out Salty’s first-class apparel selection that guarantees a “steezy”(style with ease) look.
Goff’s also brings an edge to Salty’s through his initiatives to give back to the community. He sponsored last year’s Columbia Music Festival, stirring enthusiasm for the local arts event by giving away dozens of boards.
Goff proudly sells an array of Toms Shoes, supporting the brand’s global mission, as well as Jedidiah clothing, which puts profits toward humanitarian causes such as Amor, a nonprofit organization that builds houses in Mexico for those in extreme poverty.
“I want the store to be more than just a local retailer. I want it to be an active participant in improving the community,” Goff said.
The South is full of outdoor boarding opportunities, including paddleboarding on the Congaree River, surfing at Myrtle Beach and snowboarding at Cataloochee in North Carolina. Hit up Salty’s for all the necessities, and discover what this community-centered board shop is all about.
Salty’s is at 912 Harden St. and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
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