I f you are a skateboarder, know a skateboarder or are just in love with all things related to skateboarding, Prime Skate Shop in Hillsborough is prime. In fact, that's why the owners called it that.

Prime is owned by three men, all childhood friends, who decided to finally pursue their dream. They were skateboarders as kids and never really gave it up.

"It's been a dream of ours for probably at least 10 years to open a skateboarding store," said Rich Petersen, one of the owners. "When I got laid off (from my job) recently, I couldn't find a job that really interested me, and my buddies said, 'let's open the store,' so we did."

Petersen co-owns the shop with Bill Snell and Kevin Rochon, and their old skateboards are hanging on one wall. Many of them are from the 1980s."It's our 'vintage' wall," Petersen said.

There's another wall lined with the newest and coolest brands. Then there's all the skateboard accoutrement's, including T-shirts, hats, skateboarding jeans, accessories, helmets, shoes, socks, belts, wallets and more. "There is a skateboard style," Snell said. "We try to carry everything for that." A television plays skateboarding videos toadd to the effect.

"Local kids come in and out all day," Petersen said. "They hang out, exchange
stories, check out our equipment and try maneuvers outside." Petersen said the staffers allow kids to test the equipment -- and often even show them some moves outside. They keep a ramp in the store and bring it outside for kids to practice on.

"It's how we keep our ears to the street so we know what's going on, and what they
want us to carry in the store," Petersen said. "We really try to accommodate them. "Prime Skate Shop carries all the skateboarding brands, too, including Etnies, Emerica, Dekline, Baker, Flip, Zero, Element, Bam and many, many more.

Enrique Medina, 13, of Hillsborough was hanging out in the store recently with his friends. "I love coming here," he said. "They let us skate, and they show us some pretty rad stuff." "Yeah, they're real nice guys, and they have awesome stuff in the store," Joe Carter, 15, said. "They even let us use their ramp." Petersen said actual lessons might be in the store's future. He said the store caters to skateboarders of all skill levels.

"We can help someone pick out a starter skateboard, or we can help them fix up their
old skateboard," he said. "We can help you out, working within what a customer wants to spend. Petersen says they can customize any board. Starter boards run about $70 at Prime, where you also can find skateboard wheels, trucks and other parts. He said more girls are getting into the sport, and Prime plans on extending its lines of girls' clothing and other items.

Bargain for under $50

There are plenty of skateboarding accessories,
including T-shirts for $20, hats for $20 to $25,
belts $12 to $16 and wallets for $16