Once upon a time in Minnesota skateparks fell out of the sky and plopped down in every suburb and small town. Ambitious ones landed under highway overpasses while others were cookie cutter assembled by pseudo-construction companies that literally specialized in just building skate parks. All of this was fueled by a strange need for teenage rebellion in an era when kids were very very bored in their cul-de-sacs. Disposable income during the Clinton years bore an entire scene of skating! Planes were flying back and forth from California more often and importers took notice. Soon skate shops sprouted across a metropolitan that saw more than six months of snow or cold. Punk mainstreamed.

Today, we still have short summers and punk is still mainstream but the scene became very quiet as soon as Bush took office. Coincidence? Maybe… Skate parks closed but many skate shops stayed open. Some of the most popular ones are Familia Skate Shop on Snelling’s south end, Alternative Bike and Board on Hennepin, and this article’s feature, Cal Surf at West Lake.

Cal Surf is neither a surfing shop nor related to California. It owes its name to Lake Calhoun which is rock throw away. Many a confusion has been had that Cal Surf is some beach-hippie clothing joint. Nope! What it does offer is dozens of fashion collections from independent and top skate labels.

It’s ongoing strong offering is likely owed to its days of intense competition with the defunct Fobia shop chain. Guys take notice, there’s stuff here you’re not going to find at a mall store and for probably less or equal to online.

Since we don’t have clothing tax, your best bet is to find and buy locally imported skater inspired styles here. We particularly liked Cal Surf’s own line of $20-something tees with MN-style humor and badass mosquitos. More favs include collection of hats and their selection of RVCA. But the real deal with Cal Surf is its amazing collection of shoes (and the fact lots are often on sale). And yes ladies, you too can find your sk8tr sole here. Yuppies can rejoice because they just remodeled their store to appeal to the sophisticate. And why now? Why the shameless promotion? Well Cal Surf is turning 21 on April 1st, 2009! They promise sales and giveaways. I think go soon before the summer rush starts.

Think about how scenester it would be to say “You are so Calhoun!”