DeKALB | There are many interesting people in the community, and one of those people is Ariel Ries, owner of Small Town Skate Shop, 229 E. Lincoln Highway.

Ries is a NIU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Despite a busy schedule, Ries finds time to run her shop, extend ties with the community and take care of her dog, Tickles, which she found during a trip to Costa Rica.

Northern Star: How did you decide to start your business?
Ariel Ries: A few different factors of things. I’ve always wanted to start my own business since I saw a friend’s business in Crystal Lake called Trade Winds Cove and it’s been there my whole life. So when I got my business degree, I definitely thought that was the route I wanted to go. I just didn’t know I would do it so soon.

NS: Do you actually skateboard or long-board?
AR: Yes, I’ve been cruising the streets since I was about 13, so it’s been 12 years.

NS: How good are you?
AR: I’m more of a long-boarder than a traditional skateboarder.

NS: What is your favorite part of skater or counterculture?
AR: All the awesome things like ninja skills, art culture and good people who like to be active.

NS: Who is your favorite musical artist?
AR: That’s a really hard question to ask someone. Lately we’ve been listening to a lot of RJD2 and that gets me pretty hyped. Really anything I can dance to or gets me going. When I was younger, I was a big ‘Deadhead.’

NS: What are some of your other hobbies?
AR: In the winter, of course, I snowboard. Also, I’m really active in the hoola-hooping community. I also like to organize skateboard competitions. And I like getting people involved, being active and hyped about life.

NS: Least favorite activity?
AR: Taxes!

NS: If you were not doing this what would you be doing?
AR: Well I’m actually going to be going back to school to get a teaching certificate, probably in geo-sciences.

NS: X-Games, Gravity Games or Dew Tour?
AR: Dew Tour.

NS: Tony Hawk, Buckey Lasek or Ryan Sheckler?
AR: Mark Johnson.

NS: In order of coolness, rank skateboarders, BMX riders and in-liners.
AR: That’s not even a hard question. Definitely goes skateboarders are number one. Then BMX guys, have to give them some credit, they do some cool stuff. Then in-liners, or you can call them fruit-booters, whatever (laughs).

NS: What do you think about [skateboarder and MTV star] Rob Dyrdek?
AR: It’s good that he’s made it very public, and made people fans of it who weren’t. It’s also good what he’s done with opening the skate parks. But he got to exploit it, and totally take advantage of it.

NS: Last words?
AR: Keep active, keep going. There’s no stopping. Do as much as you possibly can to stay happy.

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