If you like shopping at popular surf shops like Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, Quicksilver or Billabong, then expect them to be closing nationwide soon due to bankruptcy. There is no specified date on when these businesses will be closing, but reports say it will happen sometime before May.

As a frequent customer of some of these shops, specifically Volcom, it is sad to see them go. I asked my mother, an avid surfer, how she felt. 

“It’s very sad to see them go,” Linda Kea said.

She had been referring to how these companies do a lot for the surf community, especially by sponsoring surfers and giving them opportunities to grow their careers. For instance, North Shore pro surfer Moana Jones-Wong is sponsored by Volcom, which helped her compete and earn recognition, including the title “Queen of Pipeline.” It’s unfortunate she might lose that sponsorship, but I have hope that another brand will pick her up soon.

Beyond individual sponsorships, these companies also back major surf competitions. While it might not cause a huge disruption, losing these sponsors could make it harder to keep some contests running. Hopefully, brands like Vans and others will step up to take on more of that responsibility in the future.

What also saddens me about the shutdown is the loss of their merchandise. Fans—including myself—love their shirts, shorts, dresses and swimsuits. I asked my mom what might happen to their gear, and she said that since production has stopped, their items are now basically collectibles. I hope that’s not the case and that some of their products continue to be sold in shops like Local Motion, Macy’s or T&C Surf.

As they are in their final weeks of closing, they have a 40% off sale on their products. This applies to all the shops nationwide and can be found around the island. I went to Volcom to buy a pair of glasses, and they were about $30, which is pretty cheap since they’re usually about $50.