510

The local shop is 510. It has been a bit since I have done one of these and how better to get into it again than with the local homies. Nathan Alton is the front man over at the shop and I hit him up with some hitter questions. Just kidding they were pretty basic. Anyway if you have a chance to get over there you will be happy and helped by some of the best from the bay.

Christian

C: Name, age, occupation, location
N: Nate Alton, 24, Chief Lurker at 510 Skateboarding in Berkeley CA.

C: How long have you been managing the crew over at the shop?
N: I have worked here for almost 7 years but have been managing for the last few years.

C: How long has 510 been a fixture in Berkeley?
N: 510 has been holding it down since 1998.

C: There was Oakland shop at one point, could you talk about that a bit?
N: We like to keep that on the LO. Just kidding. LO was the name but some things just aren't meant to be.

C: What kinds of things is the shop doing to stay viable in what seems like a pretty rough economic time?
N: We just try to sell the best quality products from brands we stand behind and be as nice to our customers as possible. We also try to do events and give back to our community as much as we can.

C: Staying active in the local skate community is pretty important. What do es the shop do in that area?
N: We try to do contests, demos, video premieres, etc. as much as we can. Im always working on ways to do more stuff like that. My goal for this year is to do more stuff for bordertown because that place is the best and it needs the public help.

C: Your relationship with the guys over at Real is pretty tight, that is a pretty positive thing right?
N: Yes those dudes are rad. They have helped us out with so much over the years. I am stoked to get to continue working with those dudes on different stuff in the future. Big shout outs to Jim, Pete, and the whole DLX crew!

C: Do most of the staff at the shop skate?
N: Yes, every one here skates. Some of us more than others. Me and Augie skate the most, but i think we both skate more than your average skater. I just had a flat ground session with Jerry the others day. Hes still got it.

C: Does this help as far as sales at the shop?
N: Maybe, maybe not. They say any press is good press.

C: Any plans for events in the summer of 2011?
N: We Out Here Again, or We Still Out Here? No but we got some ideas. There will be some stuff going on for sure.

"A Day In The Life" of Nathan Alton from Dustin Leary on Vimeo.

C: If 510 was a band what kind of music would it put out?
N: Oldies for sure. We like a lot of oldies in here.

510 Major Jones from T on Vimeo.

C: Thanks for your time Nate and thanks for fielding my questions. Best of luck in the future to you and the shop. Shout outs?
N: Thanks man, Shout outs to my staff, The 510 team, Jerry and Dandy, the Berkeley skate park crew, and all the Homies who support 510! We couldn't do it without you.