Harpoon Louies was created in 1994 to provide cutting edge apparel and equipment from the worls of Surf, Snow and Skate. The brands we stock are chosen for their Style, Credibility, and Individuality within this field.

Our staff have years of experience and are not the usual patronising sales staff. We never lose sight of the fact that we're here to help, so if you need any advice about anything we will try our utmost to help you.

If what you want is not on the web site, just call or email us and we will try and find it for you. We at Harpoon Louies have an extensive network of friends stretching from Australia to California, Whitby to Wales.

So if it's a ding repair or just travel advice that you need, drop us an email and we will try our best to point you in the right direction.

Since it’s inception in 1994 Harpoon Louie’s has steadily built a reputation as being Manchester’s first and foremost independent lifestyle retailer. The opening of the third store situated within Manchester’s Triangle signals the stores arrival upon the mainstream conscious.

Reputations can’t be bought – only earned. A respected retailer Harpoon Louie’s reputation has been earned through the pursuit of the aspirations that define those who shop there. Aspirations of travel in search of sun soaked, wave-laden beaches, freshly dumped powder, fear inducing handrails and music that resonates with the soul of the listener. Less a fashion statement and more a lifestyle choice.

From humble uncertain beginnings in Manchester’s bohemian bizarre Affleck’s Palace Harpoon Louie’s has reached out and captured the imagination of those who happened upon it. Life long friendships have been built through a shared ideology. An ideal of adventure, camaraderie and the pursuit of a good time. Ideals that far transcend that of the average high street retailer.

Tracing the evolution of Harpoon Louie’s follows owner Ollie Monk’s own journey from redundant, down on his luck Spark to happily married, family and businessman. Discovering he was, to be made redundant – well if truth be told fired, on Christmas Eve 1991 started a remarkable journey for the former Glam rocking bass player from the satellite town of Norden.

The New Year brought new opportunities and while out of work, Ollie, in partnership with younger brother Howard, who was studying in Marseille, began exporting Doc Martins boots to France. The venture proved to be a success but with the end of Howard’s time in France so the business came to end. Financial reward was the obvious gain from the export of Doc Martins but Ollie also acquired some valuable experience that was to prove extremely beneficial in the years to come.

With the end of a relationship and a new neighbour Ollie visited Abersoch where his imagination was captured by the look, feel and quality of surf apparel. Hazy as the memories are it was here that the seed was first planted. Later that year on a solo summer surf trip to Cornwall the seed began to germinate. Renting a board, experiencing that feeling for the first time the seed began to grow as if it were under hydroponics. While in Newquay during that summer Ollie began really studying the available brands and after making the acquaintance of Nick, from Sunset Surf began to dream of opening his own shop in Manchester.

Surfing everyday Ollie knew it was something that would soon become pivotal in his life. Childhood memories of Land’s End inspired a road trip south from Newquay. Camping and surfing at Sennon embedded the feeling further but it was a trip to Land’s End itself that proved decisive.

Sat out on the rocks a beautiful clear day stretching out westward as far as the eye could see brought Ollie to a decision. A defining moment in his life, telling himself this was his chance, this was his opportunity, all he had to do was to make it happen. Returning to Newquay later in the week, he and a companion met on his travels, made the acquaintance of two young ladies. A meeting that would again forever change Ollie’s life.

With the Doc Martin money and a couple of credit cards Ollie approached Affleck’s Palace for a unit. There was space to let now all that remained to be sorted was a product to sell. Reasoning that, as they were the biggest, if he could get Quiksilver on board, other brands would follow suit Ollie approached Kim Bingham Smith. A deal was agreed with 30 days credit and as hoped other brands were happy to follow Quiksilver’s lead. With little experience, other than the export of Docs, Ollie managed to muddle through some orders and on the 10th September 1993 Harpoon Louie’s opened for business.

Cheers

Harpoon Louie