Why You Should Buy From an Independent Skate Shop
Why are Independent Skate Shops The Best Place To Buy A Skateboard?
Independent skate shops are the best place to buy a skateboard because you will get the best advice and the best product out there. Simple!
An independent skateshop cares about quality, cares about skateboarding, and cares about the skateboarder.
You will struggle to find all those boxes ticked from a retailer who is just looking to get quick sales from inexperienced customers with cheap products, like SkateHut.
The local skate shop is also the community HQ, supporting the local skate scene by being the area's social hub.
The local skate shop is where you meet friends, make memories, and sometimes even feel at home—a sentiment most skaters with a good shop can relate to.
So here’s why buying from an independent skate shop still matters - and why it's so important to both the customer and the skateboarding community..
“You wouldn’t ask a plumber to fix your car — and you shouldn’t trust someone who doesn’t skate to choose your skate gear.”
The Risk Of NOT Buying From An Independent Skate Shop...
The best skateboarding brands have always been built by skateboarders doing things properly - from the boards we ride to the shops we buy them from. That’s what makes skateboarding such a great community hobby.
These days, online stores and chains make it easy to lose that connection, selling gear more for profit rather than for the right reasons. You end up buying boards from places that don’t really understand skating.
Some big retailers, like Route One, aren’t in it to build community, and plenty of “skateboards” on Amazon or Smiths are low-quality and best avoided.
So stick to real skate shops. Whether it’s us or your local legends, going to a proper skate shop means you’re getting the right gear, supporting the community, and keeping skateboarding doing what it does best.
Independent Skate Shops Are Run by Skateboarders
A quality skate shop should be run by skateboarders... sounds crazy right?
Skaters are heavily opinionated on what gear they want to stock and, more importantly... what they don't want to stock. So, having them point you in the right direction is highly recommended
That experience shows in:
What brands they stock
The quality of your options
How products are described and recommended
The advice you’re given
The feeling you get when you're in there ❤️
You don't want to be assisted by someone reading a spec sheet. Get an input from people who actually skateboard.
Independent Skate Shop Handpick Stock & Avoid The Rubbish
There's a lot of 'skateboarding brands' that don't deserve to be in a skate shop, because the quality sucks! So, you could easily get your first skateboard for something that is below-standard quality or barely functions at all.
However, if your local independent skate shop stocks it, they think it's worth your while 👍🏻
Community - Events, Friends & Support
Most independent skate shops do more for skaters than sell them stuff. They:
- Host events to bring the community together
- Supply used hardware to keep people rolling when money is short
- Act as a meeting spot for the scene
- Sponsor local skaters
- Be a safe space for the community
Here at The Vines, we have a dedicated shop lurker corner with a sofa, an Xbox 360 and a mini pool table to keep the skaters entertained and away from the till on a rainy day 😂🌧️
When I went to my closest skate shop, Ideal Skateboards in Birmingham, as a teenager with no money, they sorted me out a spare deck to replace my snapped one 🙏 I'd bet your local skate shop would have your back too.
Have Skate Shops Backs, So They Can Have Skateboardings back
We’re proud to be independent skate shop.
It means we can make an impact, stock what we believe in, and give back as much to skateboarding as skateboarding gives to us.
When you shop at your local, you’re supporting a real small business who pushes skateboarding — and in return, they'll ensure you leave happy and feel part of the shop.
Our shop's big enough for now, we don't want to open any new shops in other cities or step on other skate shops' toes. There's plenty of pie for each area to have a skate shop that hosts the local scene ❤️🛹
Bottom Line - You'll Have A Better Time At Your Local Skate Shop
Honestly, buying from a proper skate shop just makes life easier. You get real advice from people who actually skate, boards and gear you can trust, and the kind of setup help you won’t get online. Plus, it’s way more fun chatting with people who get it. Support the shop, support the culture — and enjoy skating more while you’re at it.
If you ever need us, we’re here.
Drop us a DM or give us a call. ☎️💬