Skate Shop Reeling After Theft

While opening up shop in early hours Tuesday morning, Sonoma Old School Owner Robert Wilson noticed some of his merchandise missing.

A thief, it seems, had wriggled his way into an enclosed backroom of Wilson's shop, making off with over a couple dozen hoodies and sneakers and damaging an outdoor enclosure in the process.

The theft, which Wilson estimates set the business back over $1,500, is the crowning point of a difficult business year for the skate shop owner.

"We're barely hanging on by a thread as it is," said Wilson.

Wilson decided to open the shop after a wake-up call came in the form of a life threatening motorcycle accident in 2003. Wilson, who was blindsided while riding his Harley, was in a coma for several days after the crash. By the time he came to, he knew it was time for a change.

"In my head it was almost a screaming voice," says Wilson. Wilson's plan: get Sonoma kids off of the couch. 

The skate shop, which opened six years ago this June, turned a tidy profit early-on. But, Wilson says, the store has suffered since the recession. Gross sales dropped from $500,000 in the first year to $340,000 in 2009.

Recently it's been a struggle just to scrounge up enough capital to pay bills. The recent theft just makes things more difficult.

"We don't want to go out of business, but I can't take hits like this," said Wilson, adding that he's used his personal accounts to keep the store afloat.

To raise capital for immediate bills, the shop has continued their end of winter sale, which started in early January. Many of the goods are marked down to less than gross value, said Wilson.

Community members have rushed to the internet to help. Sonoma Scene, a local events-centered Facebook group, created a Facebook event

"Everyone in Sonoma go there for one week and buy SOMETHING. Go out of your way to stop in and support them," reads the posting. The event has over 100 attendees.

But the shop has yet to see an uptick in traffic, says Wilson.

Until then, Wilson is toying with fundraiser ideas ("I'm not sure what to do...you can write that," he says.) to keep the business afloat.

"I really feel this place serves a need in the Valley. A lot of kids benefit from it," said Wilson.