Ask A Skate Shop - Fifty-Fifty

In the run-up to Skate Shop Day, we thought we'd reach out to some our favourite shops across the UK to ask them some not-so-serious questions about the highs and lows of running a skate shop.

First up, we've got our mates from over the bridge: Bristol's legendary shop, Fifty-Fifty. Founded in 1997 by Justin 'Syd' Sydenham and Danny Wainwright, Fifty have more than earned there stripes from over 25 years in the game and have seen a fair few legends come and go through their shop. Luckily for us, Syd managed to find the time to spill some beans and answer our silly questions. Safe Syd!

• One product you thought you’d never get rid of?
• Osiris G Bag.
• Do you think making a shop video is important?
• Yes, we have done four and are embarking on a new one!!!
• Worst thing about deciding to film a shop video?
• The amount of hours sat waiting for people to land tricks.
• Favourite skate shop video?
• Jus' Foolin'.

• One thing you wish people knew about skate shops?
• The amount of ridiculous amount of favours and phone calls you get!!!
• Best team rider?
• All of them, they're all legends!
• Worst team rider?
• The ones that get sent the most free stuff but always have the biggest tabs haha.
• Team rider you’d most like to poach?
• [Dave] Mackey. I’ve always wanted to ride for Lost Art anyways.
• Best shop employee?
• We have had so many good ones.

• Worst shop employee?
• I can’t disclose this information!!!
• Biggest ‘I will never financially recover from this’ moment?
• The last 25 years.
• Most famous shop visitor? Bonus: what did they get and did they ask for discount?
• Keith Murray, Damon Albarn, Beth from Portishead, Daddy G from Massive Attack is on the team (as a DJ). I always give a shop tee!
• Most played video in the shop?
• Eastern Exposure 3 when I’m in.

• Cheekiest request from a customer?
• "How much for cash?", "Can I pay ya next month?", "Do you price match?"
• Shop soundtrack?
• Ranges from Slowdive to Wu tang. Go figure.
• Most common question you get asked?
• "Got a spare bearing?"
• Best thing about working in/owning a shop?
• Making vids, doing trips & getting to hang out with ya mates a lot.
• Worst thing about working in/owning a shop?
• Doing paperwork and dealing with HMRC.

• The shop wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for…
• Dedication.
• Best memory from a shop trip or session?
• NYC, skating all the spots with a bunch of legends.
• If you could start over again what would you change/do differently?
• Get a backer.
• If you could bring back one brand from the grave what would it be?
• Think they have all tried and should have all left it alone!!
• Best thing to come out of working in a shop?
• A lot of really good friends.

That's enough chit-chat though. Head to the shop to buy the latest skateboard decks, clothing, shoes and more from CSC. Or, check out the rest of our Ask A Skate Shop series on the CSC Blog. Safe.