Summary
A true old school Surf Shop, with more boards than boardies for sale. Established in 2016 we have a great local following and are known up the whole east coast of Australia.
Revenue
$161,382 pa
Rent
$14,315 pa
Expenses
$107,148 pa
Net Profit
$39,919 pa
Location Details
Shed 4, 6a Hulberts Road
Located in a small block in Toormina Industrial Estate.
2 kilometres or 4 minutes drive to the beach, cafes and boutiques in Sawtell Main street, and Toormina shopping Centre, we are close to everything but feel nice and removed.
Potential
Well-known, low-overhead surf business offering both lifestyle and income.
Approx. $160K annual revenue
Approx. $40K owner income (under reduced hours)
Strong digital presence (4.9★ Google, 4.3K+ Instagram)
Underutilised e-commerce with clear upside
Separate subletting space to offset rent
Consistent incoming stock through established community relationships
A rare model where the hard work has been done — and the boards come to you. You have the choice to keep this business as is or build on the foundation created and grow an empire !
Skills
No formal qualifications required.
Ideal for:
A surfer wanting to live and work within surf culture
Someone with an eye for unique and secondhand boards
Basic retail, customer service and social media skills
Simple, proven model with strong supplier and community support.
You will have the opportunity to be very immersed into the surf world and will meet people that helped create and shape the surf world that we live in now. You will learn more about business and surfing than any degree or textbook!
Hours
Open 20 hours per week due to owner studying. Flexible structure with huge opportunity to increase revenue.
Lease
Ongoing lease with supportive landlord.
Separate office space with subletting potential
$319 per week
Employees
Owner-operated.
Simple structure with potential to add casual support during peak seasons if desired.
Currently operating with reduced hours, clear opportunity to increase revenue through extended hours and expanded online sales.
Reason for Sale
After 10 rewarding years building and running the shop I am ready for a new challenge! The shop is established, profitable and well supported by the community and it would be amazing to pass it on to someone with fresh eyes and lots of passion. It has been a pleasure growing with the local community of surfers and letting their boards fill the four walls of the store with stories and joy, while constantly learning about the locals, surfboards, surf history and cool surf spots around the world
About the Business
The Water Closet began as a short-term passion project and evolved into a 10-year journey that has been unexpected and rewarding. What started as a leap of faith has grown into a well-established, community-supported surf shop with a strong reputation along the Mid North Coast.
Over the years, a genuine surf community has formed around the shop, creating a space that feels more like a hub than a retail store. Over the time we have been opened we have had local and international bands play, movie nights, and awareness and activist nights usually gathering a crowd of 80-150 people.
Located alongside highly respected local surfboard shapers and the only repairers within approximately 20km, the business benefits from a unique, collaborative relationship that brings consistent foot traffic and mutual support.
The shop carries a diverse and ever-changing range of surfboards from the 1960s through to modern designs. Stock is sourced through a proven mix of consignment, trade-ins and purchased boards, with strong community relationships meaning boards regularly come through the door without the need for active sourcing.
In addition to boards, the shop holds a large range of fins priced below typical retail, which has become well known within the local surf community. A selection of own branded merchandise including hats, shirts, bags, surfboard socks, hoodie towels and accessories provides additional revenue streams and brand recognition.
Despite minimal marketing, the business has developed a loyal customer base of locals, travellers and seasonal workers, with strong word-of-mouth driving consistent traffic. Customers often return over the years, and the shop has gained recognition well beyond the local area. We have been lucky enough to featured in books, magazines both in print and online by Patagonia, and local art exhibitions.
The Water Closet stands apart as a truly independent surf shop, something increasingly rare on the east coast of Australia. Without reliance on major brands, it has built its identity around authenticity, community and a shared appreciation for surf culture.
This is a unique opportunity to step into an established, profitable and low-maintenance business. The current owner has operated under reduced hours, demonstrating the strength of the model, while leaving clear potential for growth through extended trading hours or expanded online sales.
A new owner can choose to maintain the existing lifestyle-focused approach or build on the strong foundations already in place and take the business to the next level.
History
The shop began as a humble dare from a legendary 60s shaper who sadly passed away. I never imagined it would grow into something so well known, or hold so many surfboards alongside its own range of merch and clothing.
The community’s support shows not just through sales, but especially during events — the turnout and appreciation from locals is overwhelming. It’s more than a shop; it’s a hub where the local surf community comes together to share boards, stories, and a love of the culture. It has been such an honour to be a part of creating!
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