Cruising to the head of the class: Massachusetts based longboard and skateboard shop gets on board

Feb. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- UMass Amherst and other college longboarders aren’t just skating by.  A new alliance and program with ATHENAEUM, a totally new concept in retail skateboard and longboard stores, has them on a roll.

With easy phone and store access, college skateboarders can now save 15 percent on any product ordered with free overnight shipping within New England and most of New York and Northern NJ.  With ATHENAEUM’s planned national footprint and stores soon expanding to San Francisco, CA; Huntington Beach, CA; Miami, FL and Denver, CO, colleges throughout the country will have the opportunity to connect with pro skaters and top of the line longboard and skateboard components and snowboards.

Drew Frayre, UMass Amherst's Longboarding, notes, “We are pumped about this new partnership. Now we have a ‘go to’ source for the best in gear, advice and direction.  Our members are dedicated to practicing new techniques, longboarding in a group, and teaching and learning techniques from each other.”

Dane Webber, a professional rider for Loaded Boards, who co-manages the Hingham ATHENAEUM location, adds, “Our UMass program is a great start in directly connecting to the college community and we look forward to replicating it with colleges throughout the U.S.”

He added, “Not only can I advise them on their components and then build their board, but I can give them a free ATHENAEUM t-shirt signed by me”

ATHENAEUM, a totally new concept in retail skateboard and longboard stores, opened its doors in late November at Hingham’s Derby Street Shoppes and offers local skaters a new place to hang and connect with pro skaters and top of the lines decks and hardware.

ATHENAEUM opened its first store located in Boston 18 months ago. The new Hingham location is the beginning of an exciting growth plan for New England.  Over the next few years, several stores are projected to open including San Francisco, CA; Huntington Beach, CA; Miami, FL and Denver, CO.

With professional riders at the helm, skaters, as well as their parents will be able to seek advice on their new set ups from riders they have come to idolize on popular media outlets like YouTube and Vimeo.

Professional Riders and Top Brands

The Hingham store carries a very large skateboard and longboard inventory normally only found at the online stores.  More than 15 unique brands of skateboard decks including Plan B, Element, Girl, Foundation and Zoo York will be sold at ATHENAEUM. A huge longboard inventory including Landyachtz, Loaded, Never Summer, ABEC 11, Orangatang, Paris and Retro.

See more information on ATHENAEUM by visiting Twitter @ athenaeumstores, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/athenaeumstores, or ATHENAEUM’s website at www.athenaeumstores.com.

About ATHENAEUM:  
With corporate headquarters in Boston, MA, ATHENAEUM reinvented the skateboard shopping experience by opening its first location in Boston, 18 months ago, exclusively carrying hard goods in quantities and selections only previously found online.  From store layout to exceptional customer service, to its lounge inspired atmosphere with its own internet lounge and art gallery, video gaming systems and huge flat screen TVs in each store.

ATHENAEUM is not just a store, but also a hangout, a learning center and a social club for skaters of all ages.