Skate shop lends a casual approach to a seriously fun sport

When Kyle Cox and Ben Boone were brainstorming names for their new skate shop about a year ago, they joked around, saying “We're fidna open up a skate shop.” What came of it was no joke at all. The name stuck, and Fidna Skate Shop was born.

Having skated in Baton Rouge their whole lives, both Cox and Boone wanted Fidna to embody the feel of old-school skateboard shops they used to frequent growing up. Sticking to their roots, they created Fidna with a laid-back approach—it's not just a store, but also a place to hang out with others who share a passion for the sport.

Fidna features local brands like Chief Skateboards, and Gold Machete and Deep South T-shirts, among others. Covering the walls are works from local artists who sell commission-free.

“Well-known brands are easy to sell,” says Cox. “We want to try to promote the local brands we care about and still stock the major brands.”

Of course, Fidna is true to the skate shop mentality, stocking everything from hats and sunglasses to skateboarding equipment and grip tape. They can put together a custom-built skateboard or repair a broken board. They also host events like the Fidna Shred music and skate demo at the BREC Skate Park in May, something Cox and Boone hope to turn into a monthly event.

With the success of BREC's Skate Park and others popping up around Louisiana, Fidna hopes to one day open an indoor skate park of their own. For now, they're focused on creating their own line of custom Fidna skateboard decks that should be available later this summer.

3753 Perkins Road, Suite C, Baton Rouge 218-4600 | fidnaskate.com

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