APB as a crew of friends has been around in some shape or form for about 20 years but the shop was officially opened by our boy Chad Hiyakumoto in February of 2002.
The shop was timed perfectly to open with the then-newly remodeled A'ala Skatepark and they were a perfect match as they were located literally across the street from each other.
The original shop location on College Walk is a parking lot now but the modern day version is thriving harder than ever on the corner of King and River Streets in Chinatown and I just want to say congratulations and throw huge shakas because running your own business is not an easy thing to do and running a skateboard shop is not exactly the glamorous, big balling enterprise that some people seem to think it is.
I'm stoked that the shop is still here and still killing it from the owner down to the work staff and the shop riders.
Everyone involved is 100 percent skateboarding (even John with his shiny cute bikes) and it shows when you set foot in there and also when you see these dudes out in the streets.
Next time you see Chad around tell him congrats, give him a high five, or even ten punches on the arm would be appropriate.
HAPPY TENTH BIRTHDAY APB!
I miss the old shop so much, it was the prime/best location. sign.. now it's a gay ass parking lot. The new shop is cool but it'll never be like the original, it was the best.
ReplyDeleteI miss the old shop too. Had so much more soul than the current spot. Don't get me wrong, new location is fantastic, more business like. Old spot had the college walk frontage and guttery feel...more party spot too. APB is grown up. Very cool.
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