Las Vegas shop caters to local skateboarders, draws in pros

When Bret Fraser, 34, moved to Las Vegas in 2005, the housing market was booming and businesses were doing well. There weren’t a lot of shops focused on the local skateboarding community, so Fraser opened the Southern California-based Pharmacy Boardshop at 1920 E. Serene Ave., Suite 500-2, and then at 725 W. Craig Road in North Las Vegas across from Craig Ranch Regional Park’s skatepark.

“Las Vegas has a huge skateboarding community,” Fraser said. “I wanted to open these shops to bring everyone together and host events. I wanted to give kids an opportunity to meet some of the people they look up to.”

As a skateboarder in the ‘90s, Fraser became engulfed with his native California skateboarding scene. He started working at Pharmacy Boardshop in Palmdale after high school and recalls the supportive atmosphere of the shop.

In this 24-hour city filled with adult entertainment and curfews for those younger than 18 there is little for local youths to do, so Fraser focuses on creating meet-and-greets with professional skaters and offering free food and drinks.

“A lot of professionals stop by here because people like traveling to different spots to film tricks,” Fraser said. “When people stop by as they’re filming, we’ll promote events with them and pack the house with kids.”

In the past Pharmacy Boardshop has hosted professional skateboarders Bryan Herman, Andrew Reynolds, Leo Romero and Cameo Wilson.

Matt “Foreman” Proscia, 25, has been working at Pharmacy Boardshop since 2007.

“This is a really laid-back shop where we focus on helping the local skate community,” Proscia said. “We welcome anyone here, and we can offer advice and give them tips or answer any questions they might have. There’s no such thing as a dumb question.”

The shop sells skateboards, including longboards, shortboards and cruisers, shoes and clothing. It carries a variety of brands, including Pharmacy, Thrasher, Vans, Nike, Converse and adidas.

The store sells Pharmacy-brand boards for $20 on the 20th of every month. In addition, every three months the store does specials such as buy one get one free.

“This is a place where you can come and hang out and watch videos and take a breather from the park,” Fraser said. “Our brand is what sets us apart.”

For more information, call 702-633-5516 or visit pharmacyboardshop.com.

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.