Cal Skate: 50 Years and Pushing

Making any business last for a year is no easy feat. Making a business last for a year in a niche market like skateboarding is even more of an achievement. Yet, Cal Skate has managed to stay in business for fifty years, surviving the dot-com bubble, 2008 recession, and COVID. Now, Howard Weinder, the founder of the shop, is passing ownership to Chris Nukula, employee and manager of the shop.

Relocating a few times since 1976, Cal Skate is currently at 210 NW 6th Ave.

“After 49 years, I’m handing over the reins and look forward to Cal Skate being the center of skateboard advocacy in Portland for generations to come,” Howard said.

Howard opened Cal Skate in 1976 to build a community hub for the emerging skate scene. Since then, Portland has become an important landmark in skateboarding. Burnside became a lighthouse for the DIY scene and is a must-stop destination for visiting skaters.

Chris’ first experience with Cal Skate was in 1998 when he was 8 years old. Paul, Justin, and Mike immediately welcomed Chris, and he knew this was the place he belonged.

“I came in and their service in the store gave me a sense of belonging that I had never known,” he said. “These rugged, diehards of local skateboarders behind the counter had time for me—this little kid in an Old Navy shirt and Allen Iverson basketball shoes.”

Chris struggled to fit in with his baseball team, boy scouts, and even his home, coming home every day to his dad, dirty and asleep on the couch by 6:30. When Chris asked the employees what they did outside of the shop, he found out they each had their own ambitions: going on skate trips, running an art gallery, playing in a band. The shop was these guys’ homebase, and Chris wanted to become a part of that too.

A customer chats with Chris in front of its impressive board wall.

“I asked them, ‘how old do I have to be to work here?’ and they said ‘well you’re eight so obviously older,’” Chris recalls. “But they told me, ‘we’ve never accepted an application; we’ve never accepted a resume. We hire from within our community of skateboarders.’”

Chris would stop by once a week to help break down boxes, clean glass cases, and take the trash out. Soon enough, he got the nod from the shop and became sponsored by the shop when he was 12 and began filling in shifts a few years later.

Paul, who sold Chris his first board years ago, became his mentor and was on track to be the new owner until he decided to pursue other ventures. Chris took on Paul’s role and became manager of the store for the past decade.

Chris has continued to make Cal Skate a welcoming shop. He chatted with a customer who just so happened to be similar in age. The two began conversing about skaters they grew up on, but they really connected when they found out they have been sober for a similar amount of years.

“Here at Cal Skate, we need one opportunity to make you a customer for life. Through our service, our products, and our events, we will make you feel a part of our family,” Chris said.

In addition to Chris’ welcoming attitude, the shop’s impressive board wall and historical skate artifacts lets the customer know this is a store that knows their stuff and will have what the customer is looking for.

Under Chris, he has launched a skate swap event where fans of skateboarding can gather to share boards (old and new) and more skate-related goods.

“This is not just for the skaters competing or collectors hunting out their grail collection,” he said. “This is even more for the people who have an inkling of interest in our sport and culture.”

He hopes to continue building the skate community through live music events, trivia nights, and contests.

“‘For skaters, by skaters since 1976’ is the motto that we have built these four walls upon,” Chris said. “If I were to lose that, the soul of the store would be gone; we would alienate ourselves from our core following.”

The shop does its best to serve any skater that rolls through. In addition to modern popsicle shapes, there are old school boards, and cruiser completes. Warped boards are also available on sale for those wanting to save a few extra bucks.

Whether you need some fresh pop or wanting a cruiser, Cal Skate’s got it all.

“I don’t sell you what I ride; I don’t sell you what I need,” Chris said. “I sell you what you need for the skater you are and the skater you’re trying to become.”

Cal Skate is located on 210 NW 6th Ave. in Old Town and is open every day. Stop by, hit up Half Circle and grab some coffee from Kilo D’Cofi across the street.