Jon Coulombe had his eyes on the white two-story building on Harborview Drive when he set out to find a home for his skateboard business in 2009.
“But it wasn’t available then,” he said. “Somebody else got it.”
Coulombe has been skateboarding most of his life and had dreamed of owning his own shop some day.
Years later, Daddy O’s Skate Shop, originally called Daddy O’s Board Room, has cruised downtown, and Coulombe couldn’t be happier. He is eager to get involved with the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association and be a part of the downtown business district.
“One of the reasons to be downtown is to be a part of the (waterfront) life,” he said. “If you look at the other stores, there’s no place for people under 25 to hang out. I want to have a place for the kids to hang out during peak season. Plus, I live eight houses away — I’m two (skateboard) pushes away from home.”
When he talks about a “hang out,” Coulombe is not kidding. He plans to bring in a 1917 Brunswick pool table and vending machines before the summer months.
“In the summer, I’ll have Saturday barbecues,” he said. “When there’s concerts in the park, they can hang out here. This will be the place for the skaters to come when they’re cruising around downtown. It will be a chance for the kids to get involved downtown.”
Daddy O’s Skate Shop is funded by local investors, Coulombe said.
“There’s no banks involved,” he said. “I’m interested in the community and see a need for our type of company. I believe in the market here.”
The shop carries a variety of skateboards, longboards and campus cruisers. During the summer, it will stock the “best selection” of sandals and sunglasses, Coulombe said.
He looks forward to seeing the downtown area become a regular place for locals and not simply a tourist attraction.
“We’re hoping to make a positive impact on the downtown Gig Harbor market,” he said. “It’s just fun to get more deeply involved in downtown.”
Daddy O’s Skate Shop
Daddy O’s Skate Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at 3306 Harborview Drive in downtown Gig Harbor
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