Matt Ohlin, owner of Route 44, began skateboarding when he was 7 years old. Since then he has pursued what is most important to him. For years, he played in a local band and assisted special education. When both careers came to an end, skateboarding was something he continued to pursue. Opening a skateboard shop was a logical way to turn his passions for skateboarding, music and mentoring children into a business opportunity.
Route 44, located at 2002 El Cajon Boulevard, is not your ordinary skateboard shop. While most shops are located in malls, this one is the only independent option in the area. There are a core group of kids that stop by almost every day to hang out, watch videos and skate. Route 44 has an excellent collection of records, so if you are into punk rock, metal, soul, funk, jazz or surf music, you should come have a look. One of the most interesting components of the store is the skateboard museum, with a collection of 100 or so boards which date back to the late1950s.
Route 44 opened in 2000. The name Route 44 was selected when the store first opened on Linda Vista Road, because that was the number of the local bus route. Being relocated is a hassle, but Matt claims he is “addicted” to El Cajon Boulevard and will never leave. There is a good local population of skateboarders that range in age and he loves the location at the corner of Florida and El Cajon Boulevard versus being tucked away in a strip mall.
Matt wants to do all he can to improve the community with ideas such as cleaning the neighborhood, enhancing the arts and rallying behind a local skate park. Having only been located on El Cajon Boulevard for a year, Route 44 should be commended for the difference that they’ve made to enhance the local culture of skateboarding and attracting a new scene of skateboarders onto the Boulevard.
There is one on University and 30th
Route 44, located at 2002 El Cajon Boulevard, is not your ordinary skateboard shop. While most shops are located in malls, this one is the only independent option in the area. There are a core group of kids that stop by almost every day to hang out, watch videos and skate. Route 44 has an excellent collection of records, so if you are into punk rock, metal, soul, funk, jazz or surf music, you should come have a look. One of the most interesting components of the store is the skateboard museum, with a collection of 100 or so boards which date back to the late1950s.
Route 44 opened in 2000. The name Route 44 was selected when the store first opened on Linda Vista Road, because that was the number of the local bus route. Being relocated is a hassle, but Matt claims he is “addicted” to El Cajon Boulevard and will never leave. There is a good local population of skateboarders that range in age and he loves the location at the corner of Florida and El Cajon Boulevard versus being tucked away in a strip mall.
Matt wants to do all he can to improve the community with ideas such as cleaning the neighborhood, enhancing the arts and rallying behind a local skate park. Having only been located on El Cajon Boulevard for a year, Route 44 should be commended for the difference that they’ve made to enhance the local culture of skateboarding and attracting a new scene of skateboarders onto the Boulevard.
There is one on University and 30th
