Cassette Skate Shop has been bringing skaters together, hosting awesome events, and connecting skateboarding and inline skating since day one
Where Skateboarding Meets Blading: Inside Cassette Skate Shop
Cassette Skate Shop is Chattanooga’s go-to destination for skateboarding and inline skating. Founded by Nick Moore to foster community and host events, the shop has become a hub for skaters of all styles. From its prime location near the skatepark to its growing lineup of skateboarding and aggressive inline gear, Cassette is dedicated to supporting local skaters and creating a sense of belonging. Discover how this two-year-old shop has hosted over 20 events, brought fresh energy to the scene, and bridged the gap between skateboarding and blading.
Background and Motivation
What inspired you to open Cassette Skate Shop, and how long has it been open now?
Cassette was born out of necessity. There are so many rad kids in the scene here; they all hang out and cheer for each other. It’s really amazing to see. I felt like there weren’t enough skate-related events going on at the time, and I wanted to be able to fill that void. Having a shop would give me a solid platform to make those happen. The shop just turned 2, and we have over 20 events under our belt.
What about Chattanooga made you choose it as the home for Cassette Skate Shop?
I’m Chattanooga born and ‘raised. This is home. This is where my roots are, and this is my community.
Were there specific neighborhoods or communities in Chattanooga you were considering before landing on this location?
When planning to open the shop, I had to consider a couple of factors. I wanted to be as close to the skatepark as possible while being as far away from the other skate shop in town as possible. I was really trying to find a spot anywhere within those parameters.
How did you know you’d found the right spot for the shop?
I’ll say that finding our spot was a “right place, right time” situation. I visited the property to look at an available space, but it was a little bigger than I could afford. I talked to the property owner, and she said she was moving her store to the other end of the complex, and her spot would be available. We were lucky to secure the place before it ever hit the market. It checked both of the aforementioned criteria boxes and is in an area that gets high tourism traffic. It was a no-brainer.
What do you feel makes this location ideal for both the skateboarding and inline skating communities?
The shop is about 3.5 miles from the skatepark, so it’s convenient to get to if you’re at the park and need something or to stop in before a session. The proximity to downtown ( where the spots are) is ideal, too. I like to encourage people to come meet up here before going to skate, Que up a video, or grab a coffee to get juiced up for a session.
Has Chattanooga’s community support for skateboarding and inline skating met your expectations for the shop?
I didn’t know what to expect when announcing I was opening a shop, but all of the love, support, and kind words from the community has been more than I could have hoped for. We have a great turnout for most of our events, and the community seems to love what we do. I can’t ask for more than that.
Are there any challenges specific to running a skate shop in Chattanooga?
I think just being the “new guy” has been the biggest challenge so far.
DIY Park and Local Skate Scene
Can you tell us about the issues with the DIY park in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has always struggled with finding a location for any DIY effort. There have been a handful of attempts, but each was short-lived. We had a very long-standing DIY called the Trap. It was really just a solid ledge and a little quarter. People would bring things there and drop them, but it would only last a short time if it wasn’t bolted in. The Trap stood for about 12 years but was recently demolished due to the property being sold.
Is there any progress on securing a space for skaters in the community?
We are currently attempting to secure a space for a temporary DIY pocket park. Last I heard, the owners of the space were negotiating a contract with the city to cover liability. Hopefully, that goes through!
What’s the overall status of skateparks in Chattanooga?
The current pre-fab park we have was built in 2000. Not much has changed there since. We’re due for an upgrade soon though. The city just approved 3 million to build a new park and redesign the entire surrounding complex. They should be starting construction soon!
What are your thoughts on how the city could better support the skate community?
Since opening the shop, I basically inherited being the skate community’s liaison with the city and vice versa. I attend as many city meetings as I’m invited to so I can advocate for the community effectively. I think they have been listening a bit more than they have in the past. They could listen a little more, though. Certain people in our parks department get it and advocate for us. Overall, I think if some of them could shift out of the mindset that skating is an “activity for delinquents” and realize its cultural importance and positive community aspects, we’d be getting much farther along quicker.
How would you describe the skateboarding and rollerblading scenes in Chattanooga?
Our scene is on the smaller side but very tight-knit. It’s come a long way from when I was coming up, that’s for sure! It’s rad to see how this community comes together. Everybody knows everybody and shows respect. There’s a lot of hype and cheering during sessions. It’s fantastic to see.
Are there any standout skaters or events that bring the communities together?
90% of my reasoning for opening Cassette was to have events more frequently. I do at least one event a month. Sometimes, it ends up being 3-4. HA! The most successful event we do is our Go Skateboarding Day event. I try to keep it fun and interesting. There is lots of hype and good energy, but nothing super serious. I always look forward to seeing Warner King come out to these events. He was among the first people I asked to be on our team. Lots of smiles, good energy. Warner is a pretty influential guy around here. It’s always a treat to see what he has up his sleeve. The dude can carry a session, and the homies love to see it.
Personal Journey
You’ve been skateboarding for most of your life. What first drew you to skateboarding?
As a kid, I was so into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that I was obsessed. Watching the cartoons got me so juiced! That’s where it roots. I honestly don’t really remember a time in my life when I didn’t have a skateboard around. I say I “started” skateboarding in 1996, but I was just bombing hills as a kid. I didn’t know you could even do tricks on one. Around 1999, I broke my leg rollerblading (Ironic, huh?) The THPS demo had just come out. I spent the entire summer playing the game, and I was hooked. When the cast came off, I mowed some yards to buy a new board, and that was that.
How has the skateboarding culture in Chattanooga changed since you first started?
It’s changed so much. When I was coming up, we were super competitive with one another and pretty territorial. My friends and I were always trying to be “better” than each other; sometimes, it was friendly, and other times, it was not. There was a heavy emphasis on doing things the “right” way, “These tricks are wack,” etc.… I think this scene has come a long way. That old mentality has gone by the wayside, and I’m pretty happy about it. It’s a great mix these days. The kids here just want to skate and have fun. They are all homies, all friendly, and so nice. They are so encouraging to one another. It’s astonishing.
You recently got into inline skating. What inspired you to give it a try?
It’s a full-circle story. I spent a lot of time rollerblading as a kid, going to the rink every Friday, bombing hills in the neighborhood, imitating the mighty ducks playing hockey in the driveway, and stuff like that. One summer, I went to the rink; I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. I tried what I imagined was a grind on a bench and ended up breaking my leg in 3 places, which is why I spent that summer in a cast playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater and becoming obsessed with skateboarding.
Fast forward to when that WKND/THEM collaboration dropped a few years ago. Wknd is one of my all-time favorite skate brands. I loved the way they went about bridging that gap. It really felt like the scene I grew up with. Skaters and Bladers all hanging out together. I liked that, it resonated. I also liked how the skates looked and wanted to grab a pair to put in the shop as a display. I had no intention of putting them on.
I watched that edit a lot, and it really piqued my curiosity. I stumbled upon Ricardo Lino’s videos, and he really broke things down in a way that I understood. I watched some tutorials, so I had a basic idea of where to begin. I took my skates to our DIY and gave it a shot. I figured out how to do a few grinds that day and was hooked!
What do you enjoy most about inline skating?
I really enjoy the newness of it. The entire inline world is new to me and it’s so unique and refreshing. As I’ve gotten older, I have reached a place in my skateboarding where I don’t progress as quickly as I once did. I just get stuck in a routine of doing all of the same tricks I’ve done for over a decade. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun, and I’m grateful to still be able to do it. I get so much satisfaction from blading because every session is a progression. I’m learning something every time I put them on. My brain likes that dopamine hit from learning something new.
I also LOVE the culture. Every inline skater I’ve met has been so inviting and encouraging. Diving into podcasts like “Jumpstreet” and “How to Be Unpopular” showed me a deep level of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and mindfulness that is present in blading. I believe those things are really important.
How does inline skating compare to skateboarding for you?
They are pretty close to the same feeling. That high you get when the wheels touch down is universal. Blading is so new to me, it gives me that feeling of being a kid in the driveway learning how to flip my board again. It’s rekindled that fire.
It’s also so much easier on my body for some reason. I can go blade for 3-4 hours and actually be able to walk the next day HA! I guess the comparison would be that blading makes me feel like a younger version of myself as a skateboarder. I don’t know if that makes sense.
Do you skate more with skateboarders, inline skaters, or a mix of both?
I skate with skateboarders more frequently, my close homies are skateboarders. More often than not (these days anyway), I’m blading with skateboarders. I switch it up and take my board to the park at least once a week. There aren’t that many inline skaters in Chattanooga that come out for regular sessions. Maybe I should start sending invites. I do love to get a session in with the blade homies though. I’ve been frequently taking trips to meet up with some of those guys.
Who do you usually skate with when you’re out inline skating?
Honestly, I thrive in a solo session. Covid/Lockdown showed me that I really enjoy a solo mission. There is no organizing, no logistics; just go wherever and lock in. I really enjoy an empty skatepark, especially on the inlines. I’m not incredibly skilled, but I am still learning, so navigating a session with people around me feels a little hectic.
I have been trying to get out of that, though; I’ve been taking some trips out of town to skate with Zach Leavell and Taylor Popham. We had a really good sesh the other week. The homies were ripping.
Have you tried any big-wheel or urban inline skating yourself?
I actually haven’t. I think it’s sick though. I love watching Wizard Skating edits. I think there’s a lot to learn from that discipline. Maybe I should pick up a set, might help me unlock some of those swivelly Colin Kelso maneuvers!
Has inline skating brought new energy or perspective to your skateboarding?
For sure! Blading has changed the way I look for skate spots. I really enjoy it when a spot is used to its maximum potential. I always call it “exploiting the spot.” Guys like Max Palmer, Tom Karangelov, and Kevin Coakley are masters of that in the skateboarding realm. Then you have people like The Kelsos, Michael Kraft, Pat Ridder, and Alex Broskow. All of which are masters of the same thing, just a different platform. Squeezing every last drop out of a spot, incorporating a crack, a sign, a piece of chain, a plastic cup, just whatever is there. I find myself seeking out spots that are more unique in that way.
Carrying Inline Skating Gear in the Shop
What led you to decide to carry inline skating gear at Cassette Skate Shop?
Since day one, my mission with the shop has been to support and serve the community. After reconnecting with a few homies through inline skating, I realized that the inline community was 100% worth supporting. There had been nowhere to even go look at and put your hands on aggressive skates in Chattanooga for over 20 years, I felt that needed to change, for a number of reasons.
The blading community had been so warm and welcoming to me right off the bat. Listening to podcasts and hearing how tied these individuals are to their culture, their passion, and the sense of community. I really felt a deep connection with the blade community. Bringing in inline skates and accessories was my way of thanking the blade community for everything they were doing. It’s a small contribution, but I felt like it was important to have that represented in Cassette.
How did the local skateboarding community react to the addition of inline skating?
Honestly, I was nervous about losing clientele after bringing the skates in. That was just me being in my own way. The more I thought about it, I figured, “If you’re the kind of person that stops coming to a shop because they sell stuff other than skateboards, you probably didn’t like the vibe we offer in the first place”. People like that are the ones who seldom form their own opinions about anything, to begin with; they aren’t speaking from experience, just some outdated narrative. Anyway, I brought the skates in and put a couple of blade homies on the team. I stated my intentions and reasons honestly, as I always do. I think it was well received, I’ve sold a few sets to some skateboarders who were curious. I think that’s rad!
How big is your inline skating selection, and are you looking to expand it?
It’s not a big selection by any means. Cassette is a small shop, so I carry what I can afford. I’m pretty happy with it for now. I only want to carry the brands I see supporting the culture. I do expand eventually, it will be a larger variety from the brands I currently have, plus a couple of other brands I think are doing it well.
Do you focus primarily on aggressive skates, or do you also carry big-wheel or urban skates?
Yeah, we just carry Aggressive in-store. I do offer special orders on a few brands, so we CAN get those in if someone comes in looking for something specific.
Has inline skating added to the business in ways you didn’t expect?
It’s always a good day when I sell a set of skates. I just love getting people in them. It’s certainly made the business end feel more fun and diverse. I get stoked when someone comes in to get fitted. I’ve set up a ton of skateboards, and I love setting up someone’s first board. Putting someone in their first set of skates hits differently, maybe because I look forward to having someone to blade with!
Are there any other skaters in Chattanooga who skate both inline and skateboard?
There are a couple of us out here. I’ve sold a few sets to some skateboard homies but have only seen one out and about so far. I’m definitely out here trying to spread the good word if you’re reading this and wanna get out on a session HMU!
| Related: Kids’ Inline Skates Buyers Guide |
Looking Ahead
How has business been for Cassette skate shop overall, and do you feel it’s on a good trajectory?
It’s a really tough time for small retail businesses out here. We just celebrated 2 years and haven’t had a terrible month so far. The lights are on, the bills are paid, and new products are available frequently. I can’t ask for much more than that. We’ve accomplished a lot in 2 years. The trajectory is up to us; we just have to keep walking in the direction we wanna go.
What are your goals for Cassette Skate Shop over the next few years?
I just want to be able to use this place as a community event platform for as long as I can. I want this place to feel like home to everyone. I really want this place to be the shop this community deserves. I’d really like to pull this pocket plaza thing off too!
Do you have any special events or plans for the future that you’re excited about?
We always have something to be excited about going on! I’m stoked about this new skatepark, that’s for sure!
What do you hope Cassette Skate Shop represents for the skate community in Chattanooga?
I hope we represent a sense of belonging and inclusivity. I hope we represent having fun skating with your friends, dorking around on curbs, and not taking the toys too seriously.
Links
– Check out the Cassette Skate Shop Website
– Follow Cassette Skate Shop on Instagram
