Yancy Spencer, left, and Ken Roose, right.
If I have it right, Yancy and Ken bought the Greg Noll Surf Shop in Gulf Breeze from their friend Skip Savage. Pretty sure this was in 1969. Over time Yancy bought out Ken, changed the name to New Era Surf Shop, and finally to Innerlight Surf Shop, which it has been called for the past 48 years, or so. Yancy’s younger brother, JB, came on board in the early 80’s and applied the experience he gained from working several years at Gayfer’s Department Store.
Since it’s beginning Innerlight has had shops and franchises in Mobile, Perdido, Panama City, Orlando, Ft. Walton Beach, Grayton Beach, Destin, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre and Pensacola Beach.
Story by: Tom Hutson