SHOP PROFILE – FREERIDE
For this month’s shop profile, 686’s super rep Chris Leigh (Western Canada) sat down with Rob Burnett of Freeride Boardshop. Freeride opened it’s doors in 2002, and has since become a true fixture in the Canadian snowboard scene. Today, Freeride has 3 store fronts in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley so we had Chris get the dirt from Rob on what their recipe for success has been.
Best thing about working in a shop? Worst thing?
Best thing is working and dealing with great people that share the same passion as me, and the worst thing is working and dealing with excel spreadsheets daily to try and predict the future of my business. It’s also sweet to use “demoing a snowboard” as an excuse to go to work in the morning.
How long have you carried 686?
Our motto is “riding with you since 2002”, and I’m pretty sure we’ve had 686 on our walls since day 1…so 8 years.
What has your shop been doing differently in order to survive in today’s economy?
We’ve really focused a lot of time, energy, and money on the e-commerce part of our business. We feel that now, more than ever people are shopping online…looking for hard to find items, searching for their size in an item that their local dealer doesn’t have…we believe that in this economy customer loyalty is only one click away so click on www.freerideboardshop.com
How long has Freeride been around?
Schralping since 2002.
What do you like best about 686?
I like the fact that 686 is a big company with a small company vibe. I really like that the brand has a look for everyone: the sneaker head, the park rat, the tech back country guy, the value conscious guy, the style guy, and everyone in between. 686 has been one of those suppliers that has really bent over backwards to help us promote their product through window displays, in store POP, sponsoring a team guy etc.
Do you have any special store events?
In the spring & summer we do a Sunday game of S.K.A.T.E., and a Go Skateboarding Day event, and in the winter we host a 3 part Slopestyle series called the Crunk Cup at Apex Mountain…get yo’ crunk on!!
What makes Freeride special?
Our Staff. We have the best staff hands down. If you walk into any of our 3 shops you’ll deal with some of the most knowledgeable, friendly and hard working people in the industry…and any given day of the week you’ll run into them at the skate park or the terrain park!!
What is your favorite 686 item this year?
Anything from the 686 X New Balance colab.
What makes 686 different from other brands?
686 is always starting new trends and keeping it fresh with products like the “Times Line” that has collaborated with brands that are not really part of the Snowboard industry like Levis, New Balance, Famous Stars and Straps, Kr3w, Vestal, Suicidal Tendencies…etc.
What makes Freeride different from other stores in (shop’s location)?
Our selection, our staff and our team…we’ve always got tons of the dope s#1t on the walls, and the smartest and best looking staff just waiting to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We have the most stacked skate and snow team. People stop and watch them as they roll through the park, and they clean up at most of the contests they enter. Props to our snow team Mike Chapman, Mike Senger, Jason Gretzinger, Kevin Hamilton, Braden Dean & Todd McArthur. Our skate team Briggs Ogloff, Mikey McLaren, Taylor Christensen, Dean Wuenche, Robert Jasorkowski & Kevin Ramsay.
How do you manage to find the smartest and best looking employees year after year?
When I’m hiring someone I try to find someone who matches all of the characteristics that I possess…haha.
What is your local resort?
Apex Mountain Resort or Big White…both are sick.
Powder day or perfectly groomed park?
Powder Day at Apex with no line up, or Groomed Park Day at Big White’s Telus Park…both could easily be the best day EVER (high pitched voice on the ever) if you’re with the right crew!!
What other sports does your store/department specialize in other than snowboarding?
Skateboarding.
PARTING SHOTS…if you want to know more about Freeride go to:
www.facebook.com/freerideboardshop
