WAIPOULI — For those wondering what happened to that little skateboard shop in Old Kapa‘a Town, it is still alive, but in a bigger and better location. Yes I Kaua‘i Skateshop recently moved to Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center, near Safeway.
WAIPOULI — For those wondering what happened to that little skateboard shop in Old Kapa‘a Town, it is still alive, but in a bigger and better location. Yes I Kaua‘i Skateshop recently moved to Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center, near Safeway.
“Just the first 12 days have been way better than a full month at my old shop,” Yes I Skateshop owner Cameron Lovelace said.
His biggest challenge has always been getting the right inventory, and keeping it in stock, he said. But with the new location many doors have opened up. The store is now a Disneyland for young skateboarders who may have never been in a store catered primarily to skateboarders.
“I’m the only full skateshop (on Kaua‘i),” said Lovelace, adding that some surfshops and large department stores on the island may sell a few skateboards, but they don’t carry things such as specific parts, skate-brand clothing and other accessories. “I’ve got what the young kids want.”
Dozens of decks of all sizes and shapes adorn the walls, all at arms’ length and waiting to be fitted with the available trucks, wheels, bearings, tapes and risers. A few completes — already-built skateboards — are also available.
Besides many traditional brands the store also offers its own brand.
“My ‘Yes I’ boards are a lot more affordable so I can get the price down to about $110 or $120 (per complete setup) for something really solid,” Lovelace said. “And I also offer 10 percent off (on the entire inventory) to all local people.”
Lovelace is there everyday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. His calm voice and laidback style, his long dreadlocks running down his back, hide the true Lovelace, a ripper on top of a seven-ply maple deck, ready to grind it on any rail. And it is his experience in helping young riders to get their dream setup that is probably the most valuable asset of Yes I Skateshop. Lovelace said a lot of parents will come in and hear his advice on boards for their children.
The store also offers protective gear, wax, shoes, clothing and a lot more. Lovelace even has some plans for small ramp in the back.
“I’ve got more of everything coming,” he said.
Lovelace opened Yes I Skateshop about two years ago with a little bit of money, but with a pretty good entrepreneurial vision.
“I knew there wasn’t a skateshop catered to skaters’ real needs,” said Lovelace, who also wanted to start something that would keep him useful.
In its beginnings, Yes I Skateshop was just a small store nooked in a corner on the second floor of Kapa‘a Trade Center, above The Eastside Restaurant. The business slowly progressed, in spite of good or hard times.
“I actually started as a skate shop, then I turned my company into a brand, Yes I Kaua‘i Skateboard Co.,” said the young business entrepreneur and father of a 9-month-old boy.
A few months ago Lovelace left the Kapa‘a Trade Center, and kept his business alive by going mobile until finding a temporary place near the Kapa‘a swimming pool. Now, all the hard work is finally paying off for Lovelace, who settled in a much larger store.
“I think I might be here for a little while,” he said.
Rising from the underground
Skateboarding, considered first and foremost an underground sport, has taken a huge lift in popularity in recent years. The sport that was once inspired by surfing, has turned the game around and is now a major influence to the newest crop of professional surfers hitting the world championship tour or surfing.
It usually takes a while for trends to catch up on Kaua‘i, Lovelace said. On O‘ahu alone there are 10 skateparks, while here there is only one, in Kapa‘a. Nonetheless, the movement has already been set in motion on Kaua‘i.
Just with the recent building of two skate ramps at Kilauea’s Anaina Hou Community Park, many children have taken up skateboarding, and a good chunk of old-timers have dusted off their old boards — or bought new ones — to hone their skills.
The Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana, a nonprofit organization of which Lovelace is a member, spearheaded the ramps’ construction at Anaina Hou, and is in process of fundraising for a cement park there. Additionally, the county has teamed up with independent skaters and KSO to build two new skate parks, one in Lihu‘e and another in Kekaha.
“It’s just got a buzz going on right now, it’s good,” Lovelace said.
Pretty soon Yes I Skateshop will put together a grand opening, with a skate contest and many prizes. Visit www.facebook.com/yesiskateshop to keep updated and for more information on Kaua‘i’s only skateshop.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
