There's a new skateboard shop in town and if the owners have it their way, it will be the most unique in the country, serving the needs of customers at all skill levels and interests.
Formerly known as B3 Extreme under the ownership by local businessman TC Chornomud, B3 Snow & Skate Ltd. has new owners and has officially opened it's doors for business at its Myrtle Avenue location. Fully renovated and packed with stock, B3 is among the largest stores of its kind in Western Canada.
Originally a taxidermy/hunting and fishing type store, Chornomud eventually shifted the location into a skate boarding mecca before deciding it was time to retire earlier this year. His desire was to carry on a legacy and at the same time pass along an opportunity to younger entrepreneurs who would share his dream. Today the store is owned by brothers Daniel and Jeremy Wayman, along with dad Bob Wayman.
"I grew up in Yorkton," says Daniel, adding, as a teenager he caught the skateboard bug at the very location he now co-owns after spending countless hours enjoying the onsite indoor skate venue with Chornomud's son Tucker. "Tucker was so interested in skateboarding that TC decided to expand... he didn't expect it to explode like it did. But it did."
Set for retirement in spite of the popularity of his business, Daniel says Chornomud helped make the business a reality for himself and his brother who plan to continue expanding and improving far into the future.
"We carry everything from men's more formal wear, to t-shirts, to all the skateboarding clothing you can think of - all high end (brand name) clothing." The store also carries a full line of ladies clothing that will be expanding in the coming weeks.
An extensive array of skateboards also fill the walls, in addition to a work centre where boarders can either opt to fix their own boards at no cost, or enlist the help of experts on hand.
"We have all the different parts you need," says Daniel adding, the idea is that every child who wants to skate should have the opportunity. "When a kid blows their bearings, if we have an extra set that have been sitting around, he can have them." The concept is if you don't need it, leave a part, if you need a part, take a part.
"We also build boards from what we call the graveyard... or if someone comes in and they're sick of their old board... they can leave the old one and we'll pass it along to someone who can't afford a board, or kids can come in and build one from spare parts that we have... It's great to be making the big dollars but you always want to keep the heart and that's really, really important to us."
As is creating a space that's warm, welcoming and different.
Anyone who visited the previous store front in the past, would see extensive work and thought has gone into making B3 the store it is today. "It took a lot of work," says Jeremy. "Our biggest goal through the whole thing is we wanted to make sure the new store had a very modern feel, a lot of inventory... but we still wanted to keep the old feel, while making everyone feel welcome... get a big smile when they walk in and for people to feel at home."
On location, in addition to the store front is an indoor concrete skatepark that's slated for upgrading so local youth of all ages and skill levels will have a unique venue to try out their boards and enjoy.
"We're trying to become the most unique skate shop in Saskatchewan and Canada... we will have the inventory and the selection of West 49, but we'll have the feel of a private little skate shop," says Jeremy.
In the near future he adds, there is a plan to develop a tattoo/piercing parlor (B3 Tattoo) at the location, as well as a comic book/music and art supply outlet B.A.M. Collectibles).
"It all works very well together and I think it'll be a really good combination for everybody."
Ultimately, the brothers hope to grow to be Canada's largest skateboard shop complete with an online presence and possibly a second location near Saskatoon. "We want to get to the point where we can cater to every kind of skateboarder out there," concludes Daniel. "Retail does pay the bills but we definitely want to be all about skateboarding here, keeping the wellness of kids in mind, especially in our community."
