STORE OPENING

The Baltimore Sun

A.W.O.L. (A WAY OF LIFE)

827 Frederick Road, Catonsville / 410-788-AWOL (2965) / marylandskateboarding.com

Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Growing up in San Diego, Ben Munoz had aspirations of following in his father's footsteps with a career in the Navy. But his dad told him he had neither the eyesight nor the attitude for military life. "He joked that I'd go AWOL in the first week," Munoz said.

So, it's fitting that, when Munoz was choosing a name for his new skate, snowboarding and surf shop in downtown Catonsville, he hit upon A Way of Life, or A.W.O.L.

The store, which opened May 5 in the Strawberry Fields Complex, offers what Munoz calls "industry standard" equipment, including skateboards by Element, Baker, Black Label, Plan B, Independent, Spitfire, Sector 9 and many others. He also carries Santa Cruz surfboards and Zap skimboards, as well as shoes, apparel and protective gear. He plans to stock snowboards in the fall.

"If I don't have it, I'll get it," he says.

Rows of colorful boards line one wall of the shop. Wheels and trucks are in the case below. Skateboarders can choose the components they want, to create custom-made packages.

"I do all the assembly here," he said. Munoz also will advise novices on which boards are right for them, noting that skateboarding is an individual sport where personal preferences in equipment are important.

Munoz hopes eventually to open a skating park behind the store, but, until then, he advertises his store not only as a place to buy merchandise but for skateboarders to hang out. "It's a way of life for people," he said. "It's really a different culture."

Know of an interesting shop that's just opened in your neighborhood? Let us know. Send a note to liz.atwood@balt sun.com.

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