At its meeting on Tuesday night, the City Council addressed the future of the city’s beach concessions, and the potential impact of new lease agreements on three local businesses on the boardwalk. The meeting drew a massive crowd of residents in support of the businesses, Skudin Surf, Riptides and Marvel.
The council adopted a resolution that allows City Manager Dan Creighton to sign new lease agreements with the businesses, which include significant rent increases. Many attendees, however, expressed their concerns about those increases, and the possibility that Skudin Surf, Riptides and Marvel, which have become fixtures on the beach over the years, may eventually be replaced by larger, corporate-based businesses.
Skudin Surf, in particular, drew community support for its Surf for All program, in which its instructors use adaptive equipment to teach people of all abilities to surf. The program has garnered widespread praise in the surfing community for fostering inclusivity and accessibility.
“If there’s something that we want to do, we should be able to find a way to do it,” Joe Slaninka, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus, said. “The Skudin Surf for All is that avenue for somebody, whether it’s a kid or an adult with disabilities, to get in the water and enjoy the ocean. I’ve been in the water with every kind of disability known to man, and there’s a smile that I see from my friends, my students, my colleagues, the kids from Long Beach that the Skudins have volunteer.”
Skudin Surf’s current lease is $22,000 per year through 2025, but it will increase to $37,500 on Sept. 16, 2025, the beginning of a new lease — a 70 percent jump. The annual rent would continue to climb, reaching $45,712 by 2035, with further increases if a five-year extension is agreed to.
Riptides face an even steeper increase, from $30,000 this year to $52,000 under the new agreement, a 73 percent hike. By the end of the 10-year term, Riptides’ rent would reach $64,900. Marvel, whose current lease is also set to expire this year, faces similar terms, with its rent rising from $52,000 in 2025 to $64,900 by 2035, and extension options raising it to $75,200 by 2040.
“Don’t just think about how much more money you can get, but think about all of the lives that they have helped change,” community activist James Hodge said, referring to Skudin Surf. “Especially the hundreds of kids like myself that never thought we could ever go and surf until they made it happen.”
Many residents voiced fears that the new leases could make it difficult for the businesses to compete, especially if future leases are opened to the highest bidder. Some pointed out that this could pave the way for corporate entities to replace local businesses, potentially altering the unique character of the boardwalk concessions. They urged the council to prioritize the preservation of local businesses over maximizing revenue from the properties.
“Riptides have become part of us, part of who we are as a community,” Gabriella Lopez, an employee of the restaurant and a Long Beach High School senior, said. “It’s an example of the importance of remembering where you come from, and giving back when you can. Working at Riptides has taught me so much, not just about responsibilities, but also the importance of community and giving back. I hope to carry those lessons with me as I move forward in life. Tonight I hope we can all reflect on the importance of supporting local businesses.”
Despite attendees’ concerns, the City Council voted to pass the resolution, which cited the value the businesses bring to the city and acknowledged their role in serving the public. Roy Lester was the only council member who opposed the measure.
“I really want to thank the businesses and our city manager for negotiating, because this wasn’t an easy negotiation, but we all felt there needed to be a course correction,” Councilman Mike Reinhart said. “We really needed to get the market value, and these concessions did not want to leave. I’ll speak for myself: I don’t want them to leave. So I want to really thank both parties (for coming to) an agreement.”
The council’s decision represents an effort to support local businesses while addressing the city’s financial needs.
“I personally think the community benefit outweighs the need to put this up to bid and, actually, there is no need to put this up to bid,” Council President Brendan Finn said. “Maybe putting up the bid would bid the money up a little bit, but at what point? To alienate some good businesses, to lose a good business? This is not what this is about. These are Long Beach institutions, and they mean a lot to me and a lot to the community.”