Union Square Monsters Inc

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOP: ZUMIEZ UNION SQUARE

As a core ripper I always try to support the core shops and brands wherever I’m at, be it in buying a shop deck or tee, or at least purchasing a bigger named company’s product on location at a place that’s owned by and in support of skateboarding as I’ve come to know and appreciate it. With that said, sometimes you just need a sheet of grip as soon as possible. So yesterday, I broke edge and went to the in Union Square.

Like the core ripper that I am, I had acquired an deck (a brand owned by NY skateboarding pioneer and surrogate father to dozens, Andre Page) from the man himself. I happened to be near Union Square, so I went to Zumiez just to be able to have an operational setup. The window displays are littered with big Nike ads, pre-assembled completes with shiny green wheels, and heaps of longboards. I walked in to a blast of air conditioning, a skeptical security guard, and two-stories of product manned by at least seven employees. Everyone was very genial and greeted me one by one. One girl complimented my skateboard deck. I asked the first guy I saw, who had just finished helping a girl in a leg immobilizer select a beanie, if they had Jessup. He replied with a nervous, bewildered laugh, as if to say, “I specialize in board shorts”, and pointed me toward another customer service representative.

“Do you have Jessup?” I said.

“I’m sorry, Jessup?”

“Grip tape.” You know, the brand that has been around since before anyone in the store had been born. Originally used for outdoor wooden steps to prevent slipping, yes, Jessup. A brand in skateboarding that is honestly probably older than skateboarding itself. Jessup.

“Upstairs.”

I later learned that Zumiez stores, of which there are over 600 in the United States and Canada, generally feature the sales floor, a couch with video games and television, changing rooms, and a ‘skate shop.’ I went upstairs to find the ‘skate shop.’ The guy with tattoos behind the core skateboarding display of trucks, wheels, and bearings knew what I was talking about and gave me a sheet. I asked how much and he said $5.39. Standard pricing—I appreciate their not taking advantage.