Skateboarders can now jump on their new boards and hit the half-pipe right after purchase.
FreeRide Surf & Skate opened a skateboarding store June 7 at 5221 NW 43rd St., within walking distance from the skate park near Possum Creek Park.
The store offers items ranging from skateboard apparel to complete skateboards.
FreeRide’s original store, located at 420 NW 13th St., sells both surfing and skateboarding supplies, but the new store will sell only skateboarding items.
Tom Glikes, a co-owner of the store, said he knew there was a need for a skateboard-specific shop in Gainesville after he noticed an increase in skaters visiting his first store over the last year.
Once the skate park near Possum Creek Park opened in April, Glikes said the shop decided to “bite the bullet” and open the second store before someone else did.
“I had no plans to open a second location until the park came to be,” Glikes said.
Manager Peter Harter said the store’s goal is to give skaters quick access to supplies.
Harter said the new location used to house a coffee shop with a drive-thru window, which he wants to transform into a “skate-thru” window where skaters could roll through and grab a free drink.
Though shipments are still coming in, Harter said he plans to have the shop fully stocked by the time students go back to school in the fall.
The store will celebrate Go Skateboarding Day on Monday with free pizza and storewide savings.
