“ At that time , everything else had pretty much shut down ,” adds Scott . “ But you could still skate — and skating ’ s something you can do by yourself . The timing actually kind of worked out well .”
Peyton and Fisher Burney — a fellow skater and Riderz store employee — say Cullman is home only to a small number of dedicated skaters . But the store gives them all a local place to scout and shop for all the gear they need to keep grinding . Whether it ’ s complete , fully-assembled skateboards or do-it-yourself components — decks , wheels , trucks ( the metal axles that cushion and support the wheels ), stickers , clothing , and more — you can come in and examine it firsthand , rather than ordering online and hoping for the best .
Though it ’ s started small , Riderz has found a growing following among younger kids who are just beginning to discover the sport , says Jacqueline . “ We are seeing more interest in it , from the younger ones — kids who are 9 , 10 , 11 years old ,” she says . “ They don ’ t always come in to buy things , but that ’ s okay . Being here gives them a place to go where they can be close to something that interests them .
“ There ’ s a lot of kids who don ’ t have anywhere to go after school , and there are people who come in here we ’ ve grown to have a relationship with . A lot of them are people who I don ’ t think had anywhere else to go in Cullman before .”
To check out Riderz online , visit the shop ’ s Instagram page at @ riderz256 . And the next time you ’ re in the neighborhood , feel free to drop in and introduce yourself . After all , as Jacqueline knows , the more connections local skaters can make , the bigger Cullman ’ s small-town skating culture can grow . C
The Keller ’ s son , Peyton , outside the shop in the Warehouse District .
26 Cullman magazine | SPRING 2022