Getting new gear at Cheapskates and Ful

Getting new gear at Cheapskates and Ful

When I mentioned to a friend that I was going to stop by Cheapskates skate shop yesterday afternoon, he said that he hadn't been there in years and was surprised that they were still open.

They very much are, and the small shop has a big selection of decks, wheels, safety gear, and clothes. I've never skateboarded, but Cheapskates carries roller skates and roller skate supplies.

I have to love on the two-dude staff for a second. First, Ron, the owner, never takes his headphones off, always calls me "miss", and turns completely around when you enter your PIN number on the debit card thing. Secondly, when you buy gear there, they're happy to install it for you at no charge.

Getting new bearings at Cheapskates in Memphis

After Cheapskates, I stopped by Ful's headquarters just North of I-40.

I had no idea that Ful existed until a friend mentioned that he ordered one of their bags online and emailed to ask if he could just pick it up from the shop and avoid shipping costs.

When I walked into their shop, it looked more like a record label office than a backpack and luggage shop. There are music posters on the walls, copies of Rolling Stone on the tables and an iPod hook up. It makes sense - creative director Chelsea Gossett explained that they're all about music and that a lot of their bags are designed with touring musicians in mind.

Ful touring duffel

Chelsea sent me home with this bright blue carry-on sized duffel bag. You can't tell from the photo, but it's got stealth wheels.

The bags are very thoughtfully designed. One rolling bag unzips to form two separate bags (and apparently confuses airport security), laptop bags are ultra light, and they have a dog carrier that can be worn as a backpack.

Ful was founded in Memphis in 2005, and they clearly love it here. Many of their bags are Memphis-y in name (check out the Stax, Overton and Cooper backpacks) Their bags are sold online, at Target, Kohls, J.C. Penney and Costco.

Go There:

Cheapskates

1576 Getwell Rd
Memphis, TN 38111-7118

(901) 744-1312

More photos of Cheapskates, including a deck that says "I <3 Haters".

Ful

online store

Photos from Ful's office


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amy
i looked at some of the ful products on the website and they look absolutely fantastic. the prices seem very reasonable too.
November 4, 2009 11:54am
Amy
And they have mini backpacks! I have always secretly loved mini backpacks.
November 4, 2009 12:58pm
Kenny
Some of my original doodling is still on the bathroom wall at Cheapskates from when I worked there during college!
November 4, 2009 1:14pm
Ron
That reminds me. I need to paint that bathroom! Check out our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Memphis-TN/Cheapskates/122308414460980?ref=ts
May 27, 2010 2:36pm
Tweets that me…
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Scott Finney, Kerry from Memphis. Kerry from Memphis said: I love finding hidden things in Memphis (like Ful, a bag and luggage shop that I had no idea existed ) http://tr.im/E8hj [...]
November 4, 2009 5:30pm