January 17, 2012
PRO SKATEBOARDS & SNOWBOARDS rolled their three businesses into one amazing destination in the fall of 2010. Business partners Jon Swinamer, Zach Tovey and Rob Bell conglomerated and moved Proskates and Pro Girl from Blowers and Pro Skates Uptown on Quinpool to 6451 Quinpool Road and they haven’t looked back.
“The move was affordable and the state of the building was exactly what we were looking for, we knew the landlord, and knew that he was proactive and would work with us to help achieve our goals”, says Jon.
“The last year has been a whirlwind. Business has changed but it is still good. Our customers have become more family orientated, so we’re trying to accommodate the younger generation and increase the selection of kids clothing and accessories, and of course children’s skateboards and snowboards.”
ProSkates has an urban chic coolness about it and the clothes for the little and not so little ones, both male and female, are awesome. The accessories are also amazing. International names like Burton, Nixon, DC, Volcom and WeSC are mixed in with Canadian brands Sitka and Lifetime, and local brands like Homegrown Skateboards and Orphanage Clothing. You’ll even find brands like Levi’s, Dickies, and RedWing boots these days.
ProSkates are known for their creative window displays, such as the ‘Hobo With A Shotgun’ characters they displayed in the spring of 2011. The owners are creative in getting the word out about their business and have local bands play at the shop. ProSkates was a venue where bands could get some exposure during the recent Pop Explosion. “It raises awareness about our business, gets media attention, and gets people talking about us and Quinpool Road in general”, says Jon.
ProSkates is now located just two doors down from where they originally opened in 1986. “We grew our business here, and after a decade downtown we are now back, and it feels a bit like coming home”, says Jon. “There is a healthy mix of everything on Quinpool but the outdoor and sporting equipment really stand out.”
ProSkates certainly stands out and everyone is glad ProSkates has made Quinpool their home. For more information on ProSkates and the products they offer, call 429-6788 or visit proskates.com.