Mustache Skateboards

Mustache Skateboards

Written by Beth Wade Monday, 07 January 2008

Matt Messner began skate boarding later in life compared to others in the extreme sport, he said. It was after high school and influenced by his younger brother’s friends that Messner took interest.

That was why when a skate shop in downtown Round Rock closed its doors Messner and his friends felt the need to replace it. It became a solo endeavor, and Messner opened his own store in 2006. When he heard the City of Round Rock planned to build a new skate park just down the road at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center, he knew the timing was perfect.

“If it wasn’t for the skate park [I wouldn’t be here]. Skateboard shops are not profitable. They are almost a not-for-profit organization. You really only do it for the skaters.”

Ironically, with the task of maintaining the store, Messner said he is semi-retired from skateboarding.

“I work so much,” he said. “When you open a small business, you know it’s going to take all your time, but you don’t realize it’s going to take all your time. The little free time that I have, it’s kind of like, get away from skateboarding for a while and then come back up here.”

Mustache Skateboards is home to the largest selection of skateboard hardware in the area, Messner said.

The shop also hosts a wide variety of skate shoes and casual skate-type shoes, T-shirts and urban fashion, and is one of the largest, locally owned men’s clothing stores in the area, he said.

“We try and keep it unique, a reason to not go to the mall,” Messner said.

Messner began his career as a graphic designer at a sign company. Those skills have transferred to Mustache in the form of T-shirt, hat and skateboard designs all by Messner. His art is also featured in a mural and the store’s signage.

The skaters who are regulars at the shop help keep it running.

“The skaters in the area are always willing to take the trash out, mop the floor or dust a little bit. It’s a pretty casual atmosphere,” Messner said. “If you come in here on a Saturday, we’ll have two or three guys sitting on the couch watching a skate video. One of them might be taking a nap. Keep it casual. It’s kind of a skateboarding mantra. Why get stressed out over things? It is just skateboarding.”

Messner rewards his loyal customers with frequent buyer cards on shoes and name brand boards. In the next year, customers can expect two to three pro demos and contests at the skate park sponsored by Mustache Skateboards.

Must ask about the mustache

Messner decided to give his shop a name that was fun and also expressed the diversity of clientele.

“It’s a play on [that] mustaches can be anything from the Tom Selleck hunk guy to the shady drifter that terrifies you,” he said. “The shop is kind of the same way. There is no typical skateboarder anymore. It’s an all-encompassing thing. It’s like its own thing, because it takes from everything. That’s what makes it fun.”

Mustache Skateboards

011 Gattis School Road, Ste. 100, Round Rock, TX

512-535-0745 www.mustacheskateboards.com