Skateboarding is a sport where there”™s no coach, no team and no rules.
And that”™s exactly the appeal for 14-year skating veteran Doug Brown of Pleasantville because “skating is an individual thing.”
When he opened his first skate shop three years ago in Sleepy Hollow, his dream of having a 100 percent skater-owned and operated business came true.
“We give a lot back to the skateboarding community, but we were missing a shop down here in lower Westchester,” Brown said.
So he went beyond his dream and set up shop at a second location in Mamaroneck:
2nd Nature has been open for business since October at its 614 Mamaroneck Ave. location, close to I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway.
As with his other shop, his customers are not necessarily skaters.
Brown estimates a 70-30 ratio of merchandise to skateboards sold. Merchandise includes clothing and limited-edition shoes.
“We have so many people who come in that don”™t skate,” Brown said. “A lot of people that don”™t skate just like the style. You don”™t want to wear something that everyone else is wearing.”
Another attraction is his dog, Millie, a friendly pit-bull mix who hangs out in the store and greets customers.
“Customers love her,” Brown said. “Everyone”™s happier around dogs.”
Brown is also on a skateboarding team that represents the shop; his brother, Brian Brown, a professional skateboarder, is on the team.
Brown gives skate lessons at skate parks in New Rochelle, Ardsley and Chappaqua. Those interested can sign up through the municipality.
The Sleepy Hollow address is 72 Beekman Ave. The Web site for both is www.2ntr.com.
