Jamie Musselman knows what he loves. After twenty years in the plumbing business, Musselman, who likes to go by the nickname Muss, with the help of his wife Tami, decided to return to the world of skateboarding. This time, however, the emphasis would be on the business end of things.
Starting East Coast Skates first as an online business, Muss and Tami decided this October to invest in a physical location, a small shop with a storefront facing out on to High Street.
On the day of my visit, Muss had an old Phish bootleg playing on the stereo, which sometimes had to compete with the sound of his vintage 80s pinball machine sitting in the store’s rear. Closer to the register, and to the left of the penny candy bins, you can see a framed dollar bill hanging from the wall. Across its face 10/21/11 is scrawled, marking ECS’s first official business transaction in Chestertown.
“For real man, I’m really pumped about this shop,” said Muss, who would like to see his shop become a hub for positive youth related activity in downtown Chestertown.
Already well known in the area for his support of skate culture, Muss owns and repairs a ramp in Worton popular in the local skating community. The ramp survives, he says, through the continued support of local skaters and larger donors, like the Maloof brothers of D.C., who recently contributed over one hundred 2x4s and enough skatelite to resurface the whole ramp. Skatelite is a material used to keep skate ramps smooth and rideable.
Our interview hadn’t been running long when in entered Norm, a long boarding 23 year old, who Muss claims “found the spot” not long after opening. He is now the store’s first official regular, and helps build board racks to accommodate Muss and Tami’s sizeable inventory of short boards, longboards, and wider, eighties-style slappys.
Muss and Norm’s first encounter happened while Norm was riding his board down the street one day. Excited to see a skate boarder, Muss, who was driving his car laid on the horn to get the longboarder’s attention.
“Usually when someone honks at me while I’m riding I start waving my finger and nodding my head,” said Norm, “But I didn’t get that far with him.”
“I said, ‘Dude, we’ve got a skateshop down the street! Come down and check it out,” said Muss.
“We’re not trying to be millionaires in a small town, we’re just trying to make ends meet,” added Muss, and then after some pause, “But it’s still a tough gig— ‘cause think about it, how many skateboards do you sell a day in a rural town?”
But with relatively low overhead expenses in their new High Street location, ECS is able to keep board costs significantly lower than competitors in Easton and Dover. This, Muss and Tami believe, will be crucial to their business’s success.
“It’ll take off, I’ve got confidence in it,” said Muss. “I’m just waiting for all the skaters to come out.”
Someday, Muss hopes to organize a Chestertown Skate Day across from the storefront which would attract skaters from the tri-county area in addition to local music.
In addition to boards, ECS carries skate shoes, clothing, hardware, and hopes to expand eventually to carrying glassware for the purpose of…umm, well, you know, stuff.
“I also sell incense,” said Muss, “But it’s not for human consumption.”
Pam Allen says
I went to the skate barn last Sunday with my 9 year old son and was very impressed. The group was diverse in age, ability and race. They were all supportive of each other and safety careful. The more experienced skaters were able to show us what they could do and then advised and cheered while the beginners tumbled and then finally succeeded with their tricks. I predict this will be a successful venture. We may need to build another barn.
Joe Diamond says
This could be interesting,
Chestertown is now in the position of collecting taxes of various kinds from a business selling materials that have been banned from the streets:
Chapter 140
SKATEBOARDS, ROLLERSKATES AND OTHER DEVICES
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Chestertown 12-12-1988 as Ord. No. 5-88. Amendments noted where applicable.]
~ 140-1. Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
JUVENILE — Individuals under the age of eighteen (18) years.
ROLLERSKATES — Shoes or boots having wheels attached for locomotion.
SCOOTER — A long footboard between end wheels controlled by an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel.
SKATEBOARD — A single platform mounted on wheels.
SLED — A vehicle mounted on runners used for coasting over snow or ice.
~ 140-2. Operation on streets and in public areas.
It shall be unlawful for a person to operate, or cause to be operated, rollerskates, scooters, skateboards or sleds on the streets, highways, public parking lots or other public areas designated for motor vehicle use within the Town of Chestertown.
~ 140-3. Operation on sidewalks.
It shall be unlawful for a person to operate, or cause to be operated, rollerskates, scooters, skateboards or sleds upon any sidewalks of the Town of Chestertown.
~ 140-4. Violations and penalties.
Violation of the terms of this chapter shall be considered a municipal infraction subject to a penalty as provided in ~ C11-4B of the Charter. The above-listed rollerskates, scooters, skateboards and sleds may be confiscated by the town when the offender is a juvenile and may be released after the payment of the municipal infraction is received from the parent or guardian of the juvenile.
Of course we do have a bike shop…………..but bikes can use the streets.
Perhaps adults can use skateboards……on streets…like bikes…or be pulled along………..This place is top heavy with lawyers (who don’t have parking meters in front of their offices on lawyers row)………so how about an opinion?
Should the town send back the money for taxes and licences? Get the bikes off the roads? Stop arresting the kids and taking their toys? Start arresting bikers and taking their toys?
How about a skateboard park where the community playground was demolished?
Joe
Alex Smolens says
Always nice to see something for the kids.
Muss says
Thanks out to all the support of the new Skate Shop and major thanks out to all the new riders and their Moms and Dads.
LJ Burgess says
I remember my first stick, a homemade one with nylon wheels mounted under a slab of marine plywood circa 1969! I used that bad boy for years… ahhh the memories.