Westside Skate Shop Relocating to Largo

By Local Editor Jeffrey Rosenfield

John Montesi has been in business in Pinellas County for more than 16 years, with two Westside Skate Shop locations on US Highway 19 - one in Clearwater and another in Tarpon Springs.

But as popular as his shops are with the skateboard set, Montesi is excited to relocate his Clearwater shop to Largo, right near the new Bayhead Action Park.

That's because the avid skater and savvy businessman is about to have something he's never had in nearly two decades as a skate shop owner - direct access to a nearby skatepark.

"I'm stoked to have a shop right next to a skatepark," Montesi told Patch as he prepared for the new store's Aug. 15 opening.

"I had been planning to close the Clearwater shop and consolidate all my stuff in Tarpon, but I really lucked out when I found this place."

The new Westside shop is located in the Largo Oaks Plaza on the corner of Seminole Boulevard and Sixth Avenue SW, just a boardslide away from the Bayhead Complex and its new 7,000-square-foot concrete skatepark.

Montesi is not just happy to be near the new park; he's thrilled with the way it turned out and what it represents.

"They did a nice job with it," he said. "It's the first free, public park in the county where pads aren't required."

"You're free to come and skate without the restrictions of other parks. It's like a basketball court for skaters."

Montesi plans to utilize the park in conjunction with his business.

He said not only will skaters be able to purchase boards, parts and gear while they're practicing their tricks at the park, but it will be easy for him to attract skateboard royalty to Largo.

"At my Tarpon shop, we've had every pro skater of the last 15 years there for autograph signings and demonstrations, but then they had to leave to go somewhere to skate," he said.

"Now I'll be able to get these guys here and have them sign at the shop, then head to the park for a show or a contest, too."

Montesi is also excited to be part of the redevelopment of the downtown district.

He said he plans to look into joining the Downtown Largo Merchants Association and bring his own brand of success to the area.

"This is about more than just selling for me," he said. "It's a way to show this town what I can do."

Note: Montesi plans to open the Largo shop on Aug. 15, two days before the grand opening of the Bayhead Action Park, then host a grand opening sometime in September. And he will unveil a special Westside Largo T-shirt in time for the new shop's opening. He said he will most likely hold a moving sale at his Clearwater store before the end of the month.