The owner of Miami Blues stopped in Durango in January on his way to California, and decided that he wanted to live here.

Gil Knafo had intended to scope out new locations for his company near the beach, but 30 minutes on Main Avenue changed his mind.

His second Miami Blues location opened on the 700 block of Main Avenue about a month ago and, thus far, customers seem to like his selection of swim wear and souvenirs.

“We brought a ray of sunshine from the beach to the mountains,” he said.

The first Miami Blues location is in Pompano Beach, Florida, and it has been open for about 30 years, Knafo said. He opened it with his business partner, Michael Heby, after immigrating to the U.S. from Israel.

Colorado was not on his list as a state for the shop’s expansion, but Knafo thinks the local store will fill a void by carrying swimsuits year round for locals and all those visiting the hot springs in the area.

“We took a huge chance coming into the mountains,” he said.

In addition to swim wear, the shop carries shorts, shear shirts and T-shirts. This fall, the store will start carrying sweat shirts and sweat pants for the winter.

The store moved into the space previously occupied by the Durango Trading Post, which closed after about 19 years, according to the company’s Facebook page. Next door, Trinkets and Treasures also closed this summer. But a new tenant has not moved in yet.

Knafo was attracted to the location and spoke to the owner of the building before it officially was listed for rent.

He worked with his son, Gabriel, to renovate the space, replacing the alcoves with walls that display colorful products up to the ceiling.

Eventually, he would like to expand throughout Colorado.

mshinn@durangoherald.com