Las Cruces skate scene evolves with opening of new shop

LAS CRUCES, N.M. –– On Dec. 8, 2024, skateboarders flocked to 121 Wyatt Dr. Suite 6 to celebrate the opening of Compas Skate Shop. 

Inside, DJs spun music in a lounge area where people relaxed on a couch and quietly bopped their heads. A coffee table in front of them held Thrasher magazines and a mini fingerboard skate park. Skate videos played on the TV, while people shopped around. Outside, rolling wheels and popping tails echoed through the air as skaters landed tricks and chatted with friends.

With Compas now open, Zumiez is no longer the only option for Las Cruces skateboarders to get their gear.

“Zumiez is too corporate for me.” –– Local skater Julian Medina

Compas owner Josh Sutton moved to Las Cruces in early 2021 and familiarized himself with the skate scene by watching Instagram clips of local skaters. He felt particularly drawn to Steven “Sauce” Linares, who now manages the shop.

“I got this job because I’m just like a skater, you know?” Linares said. “I’ve been really fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of people and stuff that I love, specifically around skateboarding.”

Its opening came at a crucial time for the community. In December, the city’s main skatepark was under construction, and Sutton wanted to create a space for new skaters to socialize and buy equipment.

However, the project ran into issues. The City of Las Cruces hired Spohn Ranch to rebuild the park, which should have been finished by now, but it did not meet standards.

Sutton and others believe the delay hurt the community, leaving skateboarders without a meeting spot.

“The skate park isn’t just a place to go play,” Sutton said. “Parents depend on that as like childcare. Kids depend on it to stay connected with their friends. It’s especially important during periods of time when school isn’t going on.”

NMSU journalism student Austin Jaramillo reports on the skatepark shutdown:

Compas aims to be a place for skateboarders to gather and connect while they wait for the new park to open.

“That’s our whole business plan, really,” Linares said. “To stay open to keep doing that community stuff, because that’s the most important thing to us— just the community.”

The shop sells both local skate brands and well-known brands like AntiHero, Zero and Baker. A custom board from Albuquerque’s very own two-time Olympian skateboarder Mariah Duran sat on a shelf opening day.

Whether shopping for clothes or looking to build a deck, Compas welcomes skaters of all levels. And for those who find entering the skate scene intimidating, Sutton and Linares offer some advice.

“If you see another skateboarder, or someone you think skates because you see a scuff on their shoe, just ask them and you’re gonna make a new friend that way,” Sutton said.

“Get a skateboard and just ride it around,” Linares said. “I wouldn’t worry about what other people are doing or how they look when they’re doing it or what they’re wearing.”