By Moses Leos III.
As the Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate park opening draws near, two businesses in Buda are prepared to help skaters shred the pavement.
On Oct. 4, Buda residents found two skate shop establishments opened and ready to roll. On Railroad Street, entrepreneurs James Martinez, 25, and Diana Diaz, 23, opened the New Age Skate Shop. On South Loop 4, directly across from the soon-to-be finished JTN Skate Park is Buda Skate, a new shop owned by Ed and Amy McMurray.
Owning a skate shop has been a dream come true for all.
For Diaz and Martinez, the dream was to bring to Buda the California state of being. Diaz, a native of Oxnard, California, wanted to bring the “west coast style and feel” to skaters in the Austin area. Martinez, who was equally enamored with the lifestyle, wanted to do the same.
Shown here: Amy and Ed McMurray positioned Buda Skate directly across from the soon-to-be finished JTN Skate Park. They started with a backyard half-pipe and hope to see business take off after the park opening.At top, newly minted business owners Diana Diaz and James Martinez show off skateboard decks they sell at the New Age Skate Shop along Railroad Street in Buda. The couple, which have been skateboarding since their teenage years, opened up shop in October for the grand opening of the Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park.(Photos by Moses Leos III) |
But without funding, the store continued to be just a vision.
That changed when Martinez received an inheritance of $30,000 from his late grandparents. From that day forward, he and Diaz began making their dream a reality.
The first step was where to locate. Martinez and Diaz found their spot next to the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) relatively quickly. The next few steps, however, were a struggle, as both juggled their day jobs while trying to start business.
Both admitted it was scary, especially at their young ages.
“Since we were new to whole thing, it seemed rather difficult,” Martinez said.
Their first major task was to go through permitting and obtaining their business identification numbers. While a challenge, they eventually completed it. Diaz said it was all a learning experience.
It was fortunate that Martinez and Diaz set up shop next to the BACC; help from the staff made the transition to business owners easier.
More obstacles awaited; inside the building, they found the floors and walls needed work and a fresh coat of paint.
The couple spent more than $5,000 in repairs. That included hiring a contractor to rebuild the walls, as well as fix the floor. Additional funds were needed to fully repaint the interior.
All told, it was a two-week long project, made more challenging as both worked their day jobs.
During that time, they also began to stock the store, and look to distributors for product. Martinez said working with them made obtaining inventory much easier.
“You can go to a supplier which is best … but there are so many brands, and they require so much,” Martinez said. “Distributors get all brands together and then you just order from them.”
With all the improvements made, business permits in order and shelves stocked with products, they opened the doors to the public. Initially, it was tough, Martinez said. The stress of owning a business weighed heavily on the couple.
Both said that stress subsided after the first few days. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the shop gained some traction with local young skaters.
Thus far, “complete boards” – skateboards that require no assembly – are their hottest selling item, which is encouraging to Martinez. He says it’s a sign that many new skaters are taking up the hobby.
It also provides revenue and gives the new owners a chance to build a rapport with customers.
With additional trucks (axles), wheels and wheel bearings sold on site, skaters have options to customize their deck. Martinez and Diaz can also better educate customers on the finer points of skating.
“The best part about selling separate parts is that later on with completes, skaters can upgrade [their boards] with faster bearings, better wheels, and tougher trucks,” Martinez said. “Having all of the parts is a great way to generate revenue after [skaters] purchase their complete.”
Down South Loop 4, the McMurrays were busy opening their shop. For Ed, it was a chance to give back to the community.
A skater in San Diego during his teen years, the now 41 year-old McMurray wanted to bring the Bay City mentality to Buda.
“We wanted to bring something to Buda they’ve never had,” McMurray said. “While in San Diego, I went to many skate shops. Our shop is exactly how it felt when I was in one of those shops.”
McMurray, who now works for Tokyo Electron America, a semiconductor design company, was brought back into skating when his children found an interest in the hobby. He built a half-pipe in his backyard to give his kids – and eventually local skaters, young and young-at-heart – the opportunity to skate.
It was at his half-pipe where he was inspired to bring a shop to the city. When the city sought ideas for a skate shop, he told his friends and family he was committed to bringing a shop to Buda.
“Buda needs a skate shop,” McMurray said. “I told everyone I was serious. I can do this.”
He applied for his DBA on Sept. 11, 2012. However, he initially had trouble finding a place to conduct his business.
During his search, McMurray began to sell custom skateboards out of his home. He took blank boards for $10 and customized them while he went through the process of finding a place to set up.
After a struggle, he eventually found a place across from the soon-to-be build skate park. But he hit another hurdle – getting permits from the city and state.
Having never opened a store before, he was troubled with the slower pace of permitting. It contrasted the fast pace of his day job.
But once he went through it, he began to work on fitting the interior. He was able to gain assistance from many young skaters who frequented his half-pipe. Many of them eventually became his employees.
He said he was “real lucky,” in finding cheap retail fixtures. McMurray got them from California Cheap Skates, which closed shop in the mall.
Through hard work, he was able to open up shop right across the street from the park. McMurray feels the close proximity will be an asset to local skaters, whom he particularly caters to. He sells name brand apparel, along with board accessories.
“If someone breaks a board, they can come in and buy one for cheap if they need it,” he said. “Our shop also is a place for the kids to buy drinks and snacks, along with a place to chill and watch skating videos.”
Both businesses were impressed with the opening week interest by the community. In addition, both shops look to tap into the Austin/San Marcos skate market.
Ultimately, they look forward to the opening of Buda’s new skate park. They wouldn’t be here without it.
“It will drive 75 percent more traffic [to the store],” Martinez said. “The skate park will drive up revenue, so we can give back to community. It will be huge. It’s the big reason we are here.”
For McMurray, the park harbors a chance to also see his business thrive.
“Our first week was phenomenal,” he said. “If business is like that when the skate park park opens, we’ll be successful.”
With the excitement of the X-Games coming to Austin, possibly driving more traffic, it is an experience that still feels like a dream come true.
“It’s very exciting,” Diaz said. “To this day, we cannot believe we are here, owning a skate shop.”
