Although Des Moines has always had a strong skateboarding community, it has grown even stronger since the construction of Lauridsen Skatepark, a skatepark that can now lay claim to being the biggest skatepark in the United States!
The skate shops in Des Moines listed below have been keeping the local skateboarders rolling long before this new skatepark was built though. Whether you’re new to the skateboarding scene or a visitor to Iowa scoping out the skate scene, these skate shops are the businesses you should support if you’re in the market for new gear.
All of these skate shops provide the best and most popular brands in skateboarding from decks to hardware, grip tape, and more!
Best Skateboarding Shops In Des Moines
Subsect Skate Shop
Subsect Skate Shop is a skater owned and operated business located in downtown Des Moines. They have been servicing the local skateboarding community for many years and are stocked with only the best in skateboarding gear.
If you are looking for a new skateboard deck you’ll find a massive wall full of them here in a variety of shapes and sizes. All the tops brands are in stock such as Heroin, Street Plant, Anti Hero, Toy Machine, Creature, Santa Cruz, and more.
Trucks and wheels are an important part of any skateboard set-up and you will find the best from Independent, Ace, Spitfire, and Ricta just to name a few. Shoes, clothes, bearings, and all other skateboarding accessories are also available here at Subsect Skate Shop.
SUBSECT SKATE SHOP
Hours: Mon – Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 12pm – 4pm
Address: 309 E Walnut St, Des Moines, Iowa
The Dark Slide Skate Shop
The Dark Slide Skate Shop offers new school, old school, limited, and one of kind skateboard decks from all the best brands such as Santa Cruz, Creature, Powell, Baker, Birdhouse, Dogtown, H-Street, New Deal, Pizza, Shorty’s and lots more.
This skate shop specializes in 80s and 90s re-issues so if you are after an old school deck this is definitely the place to find it!
Trucks, wheels, bearings, apparel, stickers, vinyl records, band tees, posters, and more are also available here at the The Dark Slide! Even if you don’t need any new gear, this store is worth checking out for all the cool merchandise.
THE DARK SLIDE
Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 6pm, Sat 12pm – 5pm, Sun 12pm – 3pm
Address: 3800 Merle Hay Rd Ste 1253 Des Moines, IA
Unkl Ruckus’s Smoking Emporium & Skate Shop
Unkl Ruckus’s Smoking Emporium & Skate Shop opened in 2013 with a goal of revolutionizing a mixture of skateboarding and functional glass art cultures in a way that would allow all walks of life to enjoy and partake in the hobbies and passions that make their lives beautiful.
This skate shop has a diverse selection of skateboard gear as well as one of the city’s most extensive collections of functional glass art. They promote the work of artists from across the nation and have managed to create a truly unique store and experience. There are so many items to browse through here that you might need a few days to see all of the cool things on display.
If you’re in the market for a new skate deck, trucks, wheels, or bearings, choose this store for your needs as you can check out some incredible artwork at the same time.
UNKL RUCKUS’S
Hours: Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm, Sun 11am – 6pm
Address: 1231 Keosauqua Way Suite 102, Des Moines, IA
RELATED QUESTIONS
How Much does A Skate Shop Owner Make?
Skate shop owners report a profit ranging from $30,000 to upwards of $200,000 annually. Revenue generated is largely dependent upon the community you’re a part of, the location you decide on for your storefront, and the quality of products you maintain.
How Much Money Do I Need To Start A Skate Shop?
It can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 to start a local skate shop, depending on the size and location of the shop. Some of the common startup costs include rent, security deposits, inventory and equipment.
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