“Mira Loma, CA, March 23rd, 2009 – Active Ride Shop today announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Riverside. The company is focusing on executing a comprehensive corporate restructuring plan without interruption to business operations.

Active Ride Shop recently announced that it was taking action to address the company’s financial challenges. Alongside the strategic counsel provided by Marc Winthrop, of Wintrhop Couchot, one of Southern California’s leading bankruptcy law firms and Stephen Bell, of Phoenix Group Advisory Services, LLC, a professional financial and operational advisory firm, the company has determined that it would be in teh best interest of its stakeholders to file for reorganization protection under Chapter 11.

Operating under the protection of Chapter 11 will provide the company’s vendors with assurances that they will be paid for merchandise the company receives post-filing so the ocmpany can be sufficiently stocked for the spring selling season. The restructuring plan will position Active Ride Shop with a stronger business foundation, an imporved multi-channel distribution source for it svendors, and a more meaningful offering for its customers.

The company recognizes that, to achieve these objectives, there is a critical need to create a more efiicent operation with a reduced cost structure. As previously announced, the company has closed 8 under-performing retail locations. This week, the company took action to realign its corporate support structure alongside the smaller store base, which will include 21 retail stores as well its e-commerce storefront. The store closings and corporate workforce reductions will result in combined workforce compensation and related costs in excess of 30%. Further, as part of its restructuring efforts, the company will continue to evaluate the productivity of all assets, analyze additional cost-cutting initiatives and research strategic alternatives to maximize the value of the business.

John Wallace, chief executive officer and founder of Active Ride Shop, said “The swift and dramatic downturn in the local economy had a major impact on our business in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2008. In combination with the robust growth and expansion we experienced during the previous 24 months, this perfect storm of economic retraction left us with no other option.” He continued, “The preemptive cost cutting initiatives that we took throughout 2008 were not enough to protect our investments without filing for Chapter 11 reorganization protection.”

“We appreciate the support we have received from our vendors and suppliers during this downturn. With this support, we have every reason to believe that we will emerge from Chapter 11 with a  stronger business and a more  impactful market presence. Most importantly, Active Ride Shop will be restored to solid financial footing as a direct result of this support.”

“The recent work force reductions and downsizing activities have not been easy fo rthe employees of Active Ride Shop which makes us even more appreciative of their dedication and loyalty. We are especially addened at the loss of employment for many long term employees. The impact of these decisions is far reaching, and we deeply regret the effect this has on our employees and their families.

“We move forward with this reorganization with the firm knowledge that the steps we are taking will bring lasting changes to our busines and satisfaction and value to our customers,” concluded Wallace.

The Lakai Shoes team is coming out to Active Ride Shop in Temecula Fully Flared and ready to sign autographs for the die hard fans out there! Featuring: Eric Koston, Mike Mo Capaldi, Mike Carroll, Guy Mariano, Rick Howard, and Marc Johnson. Come on out and check it out on October 4th.

Active Drops Blanks In Hopes To Increase Demand On Graphic Decks
Active Ride Shop and Active Mail Order takes a stand to stop selling non-graphic skate decks in hopes of increasing consumer demand for graphic and pro decks.

Ontario, CA – December 21, 2006 – Today, Active Ride Shop and Active Mailorder announced its’ plans, starting January 1, 2007, to discontinue selling blank (non-graphic) skateboard decks in hopes to increase consumer demand for graphic and pro-decks.

The huge commitment came after years of mixed feelings from the skateboard community on the damaging impact on what the sales of blank boards means to skateboarding. One-side claims the selling of blanks hurts the industry by not supporting the companies that help expose kids to skateboarding through its’ talents and branding. On the other-side, the skateboard market is a competitive market where there is little to no margin and the retail price is typically too high for consumers.

President and Owner, Shane Wallace said, “These days, the distribution of a blank deck is the demise to everyone that relies on selling skateboards. Blank deck sales make up a good portion of our skateboard sales, however, it’s also supporting a sector of the market that is spinning out of control. We have retailers and independent sales guys poaching our retail stores to under cut our business, and before we know it, we’ll be undercutting each other to make on each board. It’s just not healthy.”

Blanks make up a large portion of Active’s skate hard good business and will have a large impact on sales, regardless, Wallace states, “that the choice was a response to our love for skateboarding and Skateboarders, our team and our vendors. The success of increasing demand for graphic boards depends on the support we receive from our team and our suppliers. You see, the first five years of our mail order business, we never featured a blank board in our catalog. Back then I can honestly say we received no support from anyone for the sacrifices we made. However, times have changed and so have the mind-sets about skateboarding. We have faith, this time around, we will have the support, especially from our team, needed to help us maintain our business.”

Starting January 1st, Active will only be selling branded skateboards, which will include Active branded decks. When asked what is the difference between selling blanks and Active branded decks, Wallace replied, “The retail price of an Active branded board is more than blanks, which helps narrow the price gap between Active brand boards and other branded boards. Active branded board sales also allows our company to support hundreds of young skateboarders – who are the future of skateboarding – that depend on us supporting them with decks to help them continue to push the progression of skateboarding and to help expose new kids to skateboarding. Without Active branded decks, these kids would not be able to afford 4-6 boards a month and would be forced to stop skating.”

Today I drove out to the Element Skateboards Demo at Active Mail Order in Chino, California. When I arrived I found a fun ass mini ramp that the Dagger Crew built for the demo and I am looking forward to many good sessions on this in the future. The crowd was huge and couldn’t wait to meet Bam Margera. When the Element Van pulled up it got mobbed! Bam had to be lead through the crowd so he could make it to the ramp in one piece it was pretty crazy. Some of the best news of the day was the addition of new team rider Chris Senn. Lots of good mini ramp skating went down by the likes of Bam Margera, Jeremy Wray, Mike V, Chris Senn and the am team was killing it as well particularly Colin Provost who was blasting huge airs. Vanessa Tores was holding it down for the ladies and was ripping as well. Mike V was busting out every imaginable mini ramp trick and it was a true pleasure watching him skate. All in all the day was a huge success and Active pulled it off again another great demo and this one had no rain:-)