Published: June 11, 2005
By YVETTE SAARINEN
Of the News-Register
McMinnville is known for several things - its Turkey Rama celebration, UFO Festival, elegant hanging baskets, historic downtown, aviation museum and as a wine industry center.
The wheels are in motion for another tag to be added to the ID kit: skateboarding hub.
Native Ehren McGhehey, 28, has been skateboarding since the second grade. His prowess gained him pro status competitively.
Along the way, his reputation for antics caught the attention of professional videographers.
Their product was picked up by a TV channel, leading to McGhehey's regular appearances on the MTV show "Jackass" and a part in a movie by the same name. The show and movie feature stunts that should not be tried at home.
McGhehey traveled around the world competing in events, performing stunts, giving demonstrations and hawking skateboards on the trade show circuit. Now he's back in his hometown, bringing with him a renewed respect for the community, a better head for business and some lasting mementos from his four-year ride, including the scars from a broken neck and four rounds of knee surgery.
McGhehey recently opened Valley Skate Snow Surf at 318 N.E. Third St., former home of Anderson Jewelers. He's been renovating the building since October.
"There's a perception that I'm filthy rich," he said, "but that's not true. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been down here pounding nails."
His media earnings, along with good investing, did bankroll his purchase of the downtown building from Millie Stannard and a home in McMinnville.
He said it has taken him so long to get the store ready because he wanted to do it right.
He has hired longtime chum and fellow pro skateboarder Dave Hupp, now of Portland, as manager. He also will manage the store-sponsored skateboard team.
They were both driving forces behind McMinnville's new skate park, built in Joe Dancer Park, which they rate as "totally cool." They lobbied hard for the kind of park they wished they'd had when they were growing up.
McGhehey said McMinnville's new park is among a number around the state that has earned Oregon a national reputation in skateboarding circles. He said that draws visitors.
Valley Skate already has developed a community following of its own. Because of his professional connections, McGhehey said, he has been able to secure product lines for his new store that aren't immediately available to other retailers. He offers boards, wheels, trucks, hardware and accessories from Alien Workshop, Girl, Black Label, Pop War, Element, Anti Hero, Zero and Flip, among others.
The store also carries several lines of shoes, built to take the tough abuse of skateboarding and still offer comfort. Makers include ES, Emerica, DVS, Circa, I-Path, Fallen and Vans.
"Both my mom and dad wear them," McGhehey said. He said prices range from $45 to $80.
Clothing lines, from sporty to casual dressy, for men and women, include Volcom, Ezekiel and Matix. He said he is selling everything from the socks up.
The store is also carrying surfboards, surfing gear and surfing accessories. The same will be true for snowboarding equipment and accessories as the season approaches, he said. The inventory will change with the season.
McGhehey said he is taking a boutique approach to the clothing, ordering only a few of each kind, so 20 different kids don't show up at school wearing the same T-shirt.
Growing up, McGhehey lived with his parents, Ken and Linda, in a mortuary at Second and Ford streets. His father was a partner for a time, then sole owner, before selling the business.
He said his father, known as the fishin' mortician, is still working as a mortician, now in Salem, and still fishing every chance he gets.
"Third Street was my back yard," McGhehey said, marveling that his new shop is only about three blocks from where he grew up.
"Now that I'm back, I realize what a community this is," he said.
McGhehey said he has a "serious girlfriend," California transplant Danielle Crandall, now working as an esthetician at the Urban Bliss salon and spa in McMinnville.
He said he plans to continue his involvement in film and TV. Next up is a sports comedy built around him and his store, which the Fox affiliate Fuel TV plans to begin filming in the fall.
Eventually, he'd like to have his own production company.
Plans are under way for a grand opening in July, to be held in Joe Dancer Park. There will be a lineup of pro skateboarders and live bands. He said Fox also is interested in filming that.
The store is open from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The phone number is 503-435-2411.
Its website is under construction.
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