Open Vault: Local guy puts together his dream store

By Dan Graybill
Point Intern

	Special to the Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT Skateboards, accessories, shoes and hats fill one corner of The Vault.

What wasn’t laid back about the shop was getting it under way for the grand opening last Saturday, July 16.

“We started at 5 p.m. Wednesday and it was all carpet at that point,” he said. “We finished around 11 p.m. Friday.”

They also went in two hours before the grand opening, at 9 a.m., to make sure everything was finalized.

Linden’s parents had the idea to start a surf shop and have him work there, but plans fell by the wayside. Then Linden picked up some steam and finished the idea. Along the way, he got a lot of help from his friends and their parents in finishing the store and getting up and running.

“If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have opened on Saturday,” Linden said.

The first item sold at The Vault on Saturday was a surfboard. And, according to Linden, the grand opening went extremely well. He is now looking to keep the process going and to keep up the hype about the shop.

His goal is to cater to the public that isn’t living or staying right on the beach, especially those looking for the small things, like surf wax. Being away from the beach means that people who rent or live farther inland won’t have to travel as far for those items, he said.

Linden would also like to be open in the wintertime, so that people will still be able to buy surf and skate-related clothes for themselves. The traffic on Route 26 is also beneficial for Linden, with the shop’s location at 111 Atlantic Avenue, right across from Lord Baltimore Elementary School.

The Vault carries a variety of merchandise. They have surfboards, skateboards and body boards. They carry West wet suits and Famous accessories. They have clothes for all ages, as well as rash guards and sunglasses.

Linden said the companies he has dealt with have been very good with getting him what he needs and wants. Women’s clothing has been very popular so far.

Though the shop settled in quickly at the Coastal Plaza location, Linden already has his sights set on a larger space.

Once he moves into the new Giant shopping center, just a few minutes west, the store will triple in size. Then he will expand the women’s clothing lines and surfboard selection. He will also add some sandals, sneakers and children’s clothing.

Adding more surfboards will increase the variety of boards offered in the Bethany Beach area.

“We are looking to strengthen the surfing community,” Alex Emmer said.

Emmer is Linden’s friend and lone employee right now, although many of his friends come in to hang out and help.

Business for Linden has been steady since Saturday and he is trying to keep the word alive. He will look into marketing opportunities and holding some festivities, like a barbeque at the store on the weekends. He stressed that it’s all about fun; he wants advanced and beginning surfers to come in and feel comfortable.