When married couple Joan and Harper Rose, members of The New Reform Temple, started to feel unwelcome in the “straight, white guy” culture of Kansas City’s skateboard parks, they decided to build their own space where all skaters could be comfortable.
After months of work, they opened Goofball Sk8boards in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City, offering an indoor skatepark and shop for skateboarders and quad skaters of all ages, identities, and abilities.
“We want to be more than a skate shop and park,” Harper Rose said. “We want to be a valuable addition to our community. As folks who have felt excluded from skate culture, we want this space to be welcoming to everyone.”
The Roses designed Goofball Sk8boards to be a safe and sober space, centering on beginning and under-represented skaters. The space is meant to feel goofy in stance and character, representing the low-stakes fun of skating with a supportive group of friends.
The indoor skate park’s slick concrete floors are designed for skating, and the Roses have built ramps and steps to make the experience interesting and attractive as skaters gain confidence and skill. The front-of-the-house store offers skateboards, t-shirts, stickers, wax, parts, and supplies, and Harper Rose helps customers with skateboard repairs.
Future plans include skate lessons for both kids and adults; birthday parties and other events; recycling for used skate parts; free lightly-used skateboards; and more space for skaters to gather and parents to wait while their kids skate.
“We have been thrilled with the early success of Goofball Sk8boards,” Joan Rose said. “Clearly, our community was ready for a safe place where everyone can come and enjoy the fun of skating.”
Goofball Sk8boards is located at 300 W. 80th St. in Kansas City, Missouri, and is open from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. More information is available at goofballsk8boards.com.
