New York City’s Longboard Loft has made quite an impact in less than three years. The store combines strong customer service with brilliant merchandising displays. AXS had an opportunity to sit down with Rob Perry, who oversees operations for the store, and find out more about how it operates.

It’s up. It’s down. Down again and then up. Hiring. No hiring. Consumer confidence and spending go up, followed by another downturn. We all need a lifetime supply of Dramamine to weather the daily ups and downs in this new world.

It should come as no surprise that we love our hockey in Canada. There isn’t a kid in the country who hasn’t dreamt about lifting the Stanley Cup over his head. The game is ingrained into our DNA.

As you know, times are tough and shops are hurting. For many shop owners, rents are past due, vendors are awaiting payments, bills are piling up, things need upgrading, hiring help is not possible, the website has few visitors, and sales are dying. Maybe this is your situation. Maybe it’s worse. Or perhaps you’re one of the lucky few who are getting by. In either case, we need help, and we need it now.

Our main focus at our shop is longboards, so we’ll continue with that again this year. As far as bringing in new brands, we’re pretty happy with our current lineup, but we’re always open to checking out new companies and seeing how they’ll sell in town. Our shop is known for having a pretty amazing selection. Keeping at least 90 different completes in stock is our priority and our personal challenge.

2012marks the 102nd year in business for Jones Bicycles in Long Beach, California. It’s quite a milestone, and one that many retailers would love to achieve. But how is it possible? I asked store manager Ulysses Torres the secret to the shop’s longevity. “It’s location,” he said. “You have to find the right spot. And as long as you know how to run the business nice and tight – then you can have longevity.”