Published: November 21, 2009 02:07 pm      

Following family tradition

Brothers open skateboard shop in Monticello

MONTICELLO — Entrepreneurship is something that runs in Josh and Derek Lane’s family.

Their grandfather owns a monument business here and their father started his own irrigation and landscaping business when he was 22 years old.

“We had to learn from somewhere,” Josh said.

It’s no surprise the brother duo decided to take advantage of an opportunity when they saw one.

Skatelane Skateboard Shop, located at 109 B N. Main St. in Monticello, celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 14.

“It’s just one of those things we jumped into,” Josh said. “We wanted to see if it would work.”

After the city of Monticello announced that a skate park, pavilion and playground area will open in the spring on Fisher Street, the brothers knew the timing was right.

“That will bring in a lot of kids from surrounding communities,” Josh said. “Not only will it help the skate shop, but all the other businesses in the downtown area.”

As skateboarding has become more mainstream, the brothers felt there was a need for a skateboard shop in Monticello. Prior to the shop’s opening, anyone looking for accessories or clothing either had to drive to Lafayette or order items off the Internet, Josh added.

The brothers wanted to get the shop opened and established before the skatepark was completed.

“That way people will know it is here before the park opens,” Derek said.

Even though it is the first business opened by the brothers, Josh gained business experience by helping manage other businesses for the last eight years.

Josh’s interest in skateboarding started while he was in eighth grade.

“It was a challenge and it was fun,” he said. “I used to rollerblade, but that became easy and wasn’t a challenge anymore.”

Derek followed in his brother’s footsteps and picked up the hobby when he was in fifth grade. Both still skateboard and Josh helped his own three sons become involved in the sport.

Opening a skateboard shop was something Derek has wanted to do for some time. They had talked it over before, but Derek was still in school and just graduated a few years ago.

The brothers felt the location was perfect, especially since the family already owned the building.

“I’ve always came down here since I was little,” Derek said.

The space needed some repair work. It served as a pool hall from 1941 until 1954. Since then it was used a storage space.

Over a two-month period, the brothers spent their time cleaning out the old items in storage and repainting the walls. They also knocked down loose plaster, which adds to the characteristics of the store.

A variety of skateboard-related items are offered for sale, including wheels, bearings, decks, long boards, skate tools, stickers, helmets, videos, sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats and complete decks. The clothing comes in children and adult sizes. Repairs and replacement parts are also offered at the business.

The business owners hope to add more to the shop including girls clothing and shoes for children and adults.

“We’re slowly adding things as we go,” Josh said.

Josh and Derek are hoping the store appeals to anyone who skates, no matter how young or old. Josh wants the shop to be a place where kids would want to hang out as well, since his own children are in the shop from time to time.

“You’d be surprised how many younger kids get involved with skateboarding,” Derek added.

Opening the business has been stressful, Josh admitted. Despite the stress, he said it feels good to own the business.

“You get a sense of accomplishment,” he said.

In the future, the two hope to start hosting skateboarding camps when the new park opens. They also hope to follow in their father and grandfather’s footsteps and maintain a successful business for years to come.

“Hopefully the store does well and will grow,” Josh said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com





New business

Name: Skatelane Skateboard Shop

Address: 109 B N. Main St., Monticello

Phone: 574-583-5700

Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.