With bright colors, open doors, and a big personality, Go Big Boarding Co. is sure to make a mark in the skating and surfing culture of Duxbury.

The store, which opened June 13, was founded by Shannon Thompson.

“I wanted to bring a little California here,” Thompson said of the store. She grew up in Oregon, and spent time in California before moving to Duxbury, where she now lives with her two kids. “I saw a need for the store,” she said.

Thompson added that she saw no stores in town that focus solely on board sports, such as skim boarding, kite boarding, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Go Big Boarding Co. is located on the way to the beach, and allows kids to come in and even talk to others who might have used the same product.

The store sells everything from rash-guards to sun dresses to sandals and long-boards. There are clothes for young adults and teenagers, but also has some items for children as well. The store also sells some drinks and snacks to pick up on the way to the beach.

The main inspiration for the store has been Thompson’s kids, Austin, 15, and McKenzie, 14. Both attend Duxbury High School and are interested in the board sports that Go Big Boarding Co. supports.

 Thompson wanted to create an environment for kids to have fun and hang out, but to also be involved in the business and maybe even learn something in the process. Opening a new store isn’t always easy, and the kids involved are seeing first hand what it’s like to start a business and the hard work involved, Thompson said.

One of the most memorable moments came before the store even opened. One afternoon while prepping the store, Thompson recalls about 30 teens showing up after school, all ready to help her.

“Kids went to town, painting and cleaning,” Thompson said. “I wouldn’t have been able to open on time without them.”

The inside of the store is full of bright colors which welcome customers and create a summery-beach feeling throughout the store. Customers will find hand painted graffiti done by Oliver Arana and Boomer Fagan. The two worked with Thompson to paint murals on some of the inside walls of the store. The bathroom, which doubles as a dressing room, has an ocean theme, complete with fish on the floor.

Thompson, along with her children and friends, spent weeks going through catalogs from different brands trying to figure out which products to order.

“I wanted to take the kids’ input for what to get, because they’re the ones buying the clothes,” Thompson said.  

Thompson is supporting local kids in more ways than one. The store will be selling EJ Thomas skateboards and will soon have clothing products by Mike Moore, both of whom are Duxbury High School graduates.

“I wanted to bring in local talent and support Duxbury,” Thompson said.

While the store currently focuses on skateboarding, snowboarding, skim-boarding, and kite boarding, it is looking to expand to include surfing and freestyle skiing in the future.

“We’re going to be ever-changing and adding new things,” Thompson said.

Along with different products, the store is going to be sponsoring different events throughout the summer. There have already been multiple skateboard rail jams, but in the future there are plans for an art challenge (in association with the Duxbury Student Union and Art Association), a skate camp, and a potential trip to Rye, NH to go to the famous Rye Airfield skate park.

One of Thompson’s goals is to work more with the Duxbury Student Union.

“Not enough kids use the student union. We’re going to work hand in hand to get others to use it,” Thompson said. Go Big Boarding Co. is looking forward to hosting different events with the student union throughout the summer and fall.

“It’s been an unbelievably fun experience,” Thompson said. Go Big Boarding Co. will be open year round, providing local kids with not only the gear needed to take part in their favorite sports, but with a place to hang out and meet other kids involved in those sports. The store is open and ready for new customers and friends.

Go Big Boarding Co.
Hours: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Phone: 781-934-7001
Address: 275 Saint George Street, Duxbury MA
Website: gobigboarding.com
facebook.com/gobigboarding