Morning Journal/Danielle Garner Anthony Habuda opened Atlantis Skate and Apparel March 19 at 10 N. Main St. looking to add some diversity among the shops located on Main Street in Columbiana. Habuda looks forward to sharing his passion with city youth. His skate shop carries a DIY east coast vibe.

COLUMBIANA — A new shop is rolling into town looking to build community and highlight plans for a skatepark in Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park.

“I was trying to enrich the scene around here,” said owner of Atlantis Skate and Apparel, Anthony Habuda.

Habuda said he looks forward to joining the tight knit culture among family owned businesses in Columbiana and aspires to encourage young people to get outside.

“If you don’t have anything going on it’s definitely the thing to get into,” Habuda said. “There’s always people skating.”

Atlantis Skate and Apparel features a variety of decks, trucks, wheels, bearings and other hardware.

“I’ve got everything here for you to start skateboarding except the shoes,” he said.

Habuda carries durable pants and shirts to protect against a majority of scrapes and abrasions. He said you will still get bruises and fall down but it’s part of learning.

Habuda wants those who skate to connect with the apparel by offering clothes inspired by influencers.

“You’re buying pants off the people who just put out the video that you and your friends have been watching and are really enjoying,” he said. “It inspires you to keep going out to skate.”

Habuda looks at skating as something to enjoy and not a profit margin.

While Habuda is looking to revitalize unity among city youth he also encourages young people to take advantage of YouTube. Videos produced by influencers such as VLSkate helped Habuda learn basics. Instagram accounts like northeastohioclips and westernpaskateboarding inspire new tricks.

Prospective skate enthusiasts can learn about skating in different environments such as parks, competitions and sidewalks. Subcultures of skaters enjoy interacting with each other and building support.

Habuda explained skateboarding can be done respectfully by waiting for turns and not criticizing others for styles or tricks.

“It’s about the community more so than it is the actual flipping the board around,” he said.

Skateboarding builds connections with others and provides an outlet for community youth. Skateboarding is more enjoyable than playing video games for Habuda.

“It gives me something to achieve,” Habuda said. “It’s another part of life that enriches what you are doing. You’re outside hanging out with your friends and having a good time.”

Those interested can find Atlantis Skate and Apparel at 10 N. Main St. Atlantis Skate and Apparel is open Monday through Saturday between noon and 6 p.m.

“It’s fun, it’s challenging and it gives you something to look forward to,” Habuda commented. “It’s a group thing, everybody is happy for everybody when something is happening.”