Maintain Skate Shop

MAINTAIN SKATE SHOP
Interview by: Tim Martinez

What year was your store established?
2005

How many locations do you have?
1

What drove you to want to start a skate shop?
I skated as a kid and although I was never that good I remember how much fun I use to have skating. As an older man looking for a business opportunity I naturally gravitated toward a child hood passion.

What’s the most rewarding part of running a skate shop?
The kids… It really is all about them. I enjoy watching them grow and evolve in their skating ability. I love seeing their smiling faces when they land a trick… it makes it all worthwhile.

What’s the biggest challenge of running your store?
Not having the capital to build up especially during hard economic times. Not having the support of the skating industry cause we are a small shop.

Do you have a team?
Yes

How do you determine which brands to work with?
As a store I cater to those who support the shop so it’s only obvious that I buy what my customers want.

How are you involved in your local community?
My space has become more than a skate shop. It is a local hang out, a communal space where all the neighborhood kids hang out.

What advice would you give to anyone considering opening a skate shop?
You must like kids if you don’t like kids I do not advise you to do this. Kiss your old life goodbye cause this will take up all your time.

What would you like the skate community to know about your Shop?
We Love to skate. We are all about having a good time and while we might not have the biggest store but we have a huge heart.

Make sure you check out Maintain Skate Shop at SKATE SHOP SHOWCASE event on June 20th in Downtown LA.

Reader Comments

Posted Mon Jun15, 2009, 9:57 PM — By DomB

Staying focused on the kids will keep you motivated during the down times. Hold it down!

Posted Wed Aug 5, 2009, 12:38 AM — By andre boyd

can you sponser me i have some vid thats gooder then this but this is all i got for now right back if you like it

Posted Mon Aug10, 2009, 2:50 AM — By carolina argueta

Hi alex, thanks a lot for hooking sean up with such a cool skateboard! I loved the logos you painted on it. I also really loved the hat. he's at camp woodward enjoying himself immensely. I see the kids hanging out all the time outside your shop-thanks on behalf of our community!:) how are you?

Posted Wed Aug12, 2009, 3:49 PM — By brandon r

Hey my name is Brandon and I live in a small town in NC and there is no skateshop or anywhere for kids, teens to hang out here. I've always wanted to open a shop, just somewhere where they could hang out and everything. Your story actually sounds a lot like mine with the skating when you were younger but not being all that good and everything else really. Anyway I was wondering if you could give me any advice on how I can get started. Like where I can go for gear and also funds. Do I get a small business loan or what? Really anything will help. Thanks. Hopefully I will talk to you later. sincerely, Brandon R.

Posted Wed Sep 9, 2009, 1:03 AM — By Emmagirl

Hi My name is Emma and I am new here, its been a hard first few weeks of college and I don't know anybody here. I found this forum and wanted to see if I could find anybody to show me around on campus and getting me ready for the social life. A little bit about me I am 22 years old and like the usual stuff hangout,parties, friends but since I come from another state I don;t really have any friends here yet. http://url-lite.com/h_fjmp1 Picture of me I guess my picture thing does not work or I am doing something wrong when I try and put it in sorry if anybody can help me get it right please tell me. I hope somebody will contact me and show me around thanks Emma

Posted Tue Oct 6, 2009, 1:12 PM — By josue garcia

alex can you give me a free board but put together.

Posted Wed Oct28, 2009, 3:29 PM — By Letters !

heyy Alex, hows it going ? i was wondering , i have a blank bag & idkk if you can like write or draw onm it ? because i wanna write on it but i want somebody that knows how to write with paint & all that ? SO can/will you ?