Skate Shop Constructs Indoor Ramp

Ben Muñoz, owner of , doesn't think it's out of the ordinary to build an indoor skate ramp inside his Frederick Road shop.

In fact, it's something he's wanted to do since he opened the shop in Catonsville in 2006, but there wasn't the space at his old location.

But when Muñoz moved across the street to 816 Frederick Road in the same building as , he finally had the space to build one.

The ramp sits in a 14-by-35-foot room and is available for use by anyone in the community. A three-foot ladder leads you to the top of the ramp from the entrance of the room. On the far wall is a large chalkboard for people to write on.

"We wanted to have something for the kids in the community to do," he said.

While purchasing something at the store isn't required, Muñoz and his staff reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who is taking advantage of the ramp.

Children under 18 years old also need a parent to sign a release form, and safety gear is required for young children.

Currently the ramp is open only on Fridays after 5 p.m. and on the weekends when the vet hospital is closed. The walls still need to be sound-proofed for it to be open more often, Muñoz said.

The skate shop will also offer lessons and day camps in the ramp room once it is finished. It is also available to reserve for parties.

Eventually Muñoz would like to have an outdoor, public skate park in Catonsville. But for now, he and other skaters will settle for the indoor ramp, he said.