SunCoast Awning is a thriving business that planted its roots in Santa Cruz back in 1934. Originally, the San Lorenzo Awning Company located on Ocean Street, the Langrish family purchased the business in the early 1940’s and moved to its current location on River Street. Clive Langrish is 88 today and helped run the business for almost 50 years.
As the current owner Erik Anslinger and I talked in the show room, he pulled out a box of Sees Candy (my favorite — nuts and chews) that Clive continues to send to SunCoast every holiday season. Erik is grateful to stay in touch with one of the original owners of the business. February 2013 will mark the Anslinger families third year in business here. He draws upon the rich history of this once small awning shop in order to continue providing the Santa Cruz community with local sales and service for awning and shade needs. Erik is proud to say, “SunCoast is the only awning business in Santa Cruz County.”
“This has been a busy time of year. We have hired on a few extra hands during the holiday season.” SunCoast employs 2 full time installers and 4-6 during their busiest season in the summer months. Patricia Amann has been in the industry for 12 years. She not only runs a very busy office but also utilizes her 31 years of sewing experience. There are times when a canvas will need repair for a tear and she is the one to do it.
“Our client base is about 50/50 with residential and commercial business and our business is predominantly referral based.” SunCoast offers customized graphic work, retractable and stationary awnings and some that work at the push of a button. SunCoast serves Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas.
Their website lists some of their customers: Logo’s Books and Records, The Stanford Shopping Center, O’Neill, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Annie Glass, Roaring Camp Railroads, Comfort Inn, Paradise Beach Grill and Slatter Construction. Many of Santa Cruz county and city offices as well as educational institutions shade their buildings with canopies and awnings from SunCoast; SLV Unified School District, UCSC, Santa Cruz Fire and Police Departments. Great America Amusement Park in Santa Clara chose SunCoast to design and install the canopy covers for their Amphitheater. “That was a big job and one that we are proud of,” said Erik.
Erik noted, “The retractable awning business has really increased in the past 2 years. These can be found not only in the commercial market but the residential market as well. We plan to expand our product offering, some of which include solar screens that control glare and heat.”
Often times Erik observed, “Customers have a special design request for custom covers for their cars, boats and barbeques. We are also called in to even make repairs for the Fire Department hose covers.”
Patricia spoke of the two SunCoast vinyl products that are used at Longs Marine Laboratories (the UCSC Marine Biology Facility). They are called “seal bags.” These heavy-duty vinyl “bags” are used to transport seals and other marine life (recently a baby whale). They are also utilized to weigh the seals, which is no easy task.
Patricia remarked “they smell so bad when they come back in for repairs. UCSC actually cleans them before returning for repairs but there is no getting rid of that smell. It’s awful.” SunCoast refers Terry Fisher Cleaning to provide for cleaning canvas, canopies, awnings and of course, the seal bags.
SunCoast has been working on a high profile project, The Kaiser Permanente Arena and new home of the Santa Cruz Warriors D-League Basketball team. SunCoast created the awning covers for the walkways to the bathrooms and the locker rooms. There are other ideas they are considering for the arena that are still in the planning stages. December 23 was the first home game season opener at the Arena. Patricia was there to cheer the Warriors on.
Prior to the season opener, I had begun to take notice of the SunCoast Awnings around town. I had seen The Fish Lady Market, Stagnaro Brothers and Bailey Properties. They were nice looking awnings and did their job providing shade on that sunny day.
SunCoast also contributes to the community through its efforts in supporting local literacy programs as well as supporting different projects at Santa Cruz High School.
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SunCoast Awning 907 River Street in Santa Cruz. Their showroom hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and they are closed on the weekends. You can call them at 831 423-7918 or 408 370-7999. Also check out their website at suncoastawning.com and take a look at their photo gallery and the long list of local businesses and residents that use SunCoast Awning as their source for Awning, Canvas and Canopy needs.