Cypress Grind Co. Update: Rain, Black Ice, and the First Steps
It’s been a busy stretch for Cypress Grind Co.
Testing ideas, reaching out, and laying more bricks on the path forward. Here’s where things stand:
Black Ice Comes First
The focus right now is moving our first product, Black Ice (Fox Grease). Handmade, 75g, twist-up applicator - it’s the skate wax that started this whole ride. Ghost is still in the pipeline, but it’ll wait its turn until Black Ice gets its shine.
First Outreach, First Sample
This week I walked into my first shop to introduce Cypress Grind Co. The owner said no, but hey, you have to start somewhere. That “no” doesn’t stop the grind; it’s just part of the process. On the flip side, I handed out my first real Black Ice sample to a fellow skater when I picked up a board. That felt like progress in itself.
Building the Fox Certified Program
The rain didn’t keep me inside; I’ve been picking up used boards around town for what’s going to become the Fox Certified program. The goal is to take decent used boards, clean them up, and offer them as affordable “try before you buy” setups for skaters returning after years away.
- One board I grabbed was pure trash. The trucks were cranked so tight I have no idea how anyone ever rode it. I put so much weight into trying to turn that the whole setup went straight to primo before it even thought about carving. And yet, somehow — the tail was worn down from sliding like it had seen actual sessions. The deck was cooked, but weirdly enough the trucks and bearings were in decent shape, and even though the wheels looked ugly, they rolled smooth once cleaned. It was the skateboarding version of finding a beat-up car with bald tires but a brand-new engine under the hood..
- Another board, a longboard, was a little sneakier. During a test ride, the pivot cups crumbled instantly... proof it had sat too long in a garage. That one will need new cups before it’s ready for anyone else to ride.
This program is shaping up as a way to give people a real chance to test skating again, without spending big up front. If they’re hooked, they’ll trade that Fox Certified setup in for a brand-new complete.
And really, isn’t that what a real skate shop used to be? A place where skaters could try, fail, learn, and grow without getting priced out. That’s the energy Cypress Grind Co. wants to bring back.
Inventory and Store Growth
The store’s inventory is growing. Alongside new eBay finds, I’ve got skate gear in stock that hasn’t been listed yet — expect to see that go up in the next few days. It’s nothing flashy, just steady growth and real product on the shelves.
Emily’s Art on Decks
Emily has been busy too. A new board design she created is now live in the store, and she’s already sketching her first official board — it’s a rat (because of course it is). Watching her art evolve into real product is one of the most exciting parts of this project.
Next Steps
I’m still on the lookout for a local skater to help shoot photos of Black Ice for product images. If the rain lets up, that’s top of the list. With visuals, samples, and the first boards for the Fox Certified lineup, the wheels are turning… slowly, but in the right direction.
Closing Thought: Every “no,” every rainy day pickup, every little tune-up on a used board… it’s all part of building Cypress Grind Co. from the ground up. Black Ice is here. Ghost is coming. The community is the mission.