‘Skate Mom’ Opens Shop For Her Area’s Youth

Oroville Mercury Register:

A father plays a video game with his boy. A mom is shoots a game of pool with her son. And Renee Morgan smiles from behind the counter of her colorful new historic downtown skateboard shop known as the Dirty 5 Thirty.
The Dirty 5 Thirty Skate Shop opened its 3,200 sq. ft. of skateboards, supplies and accessories, and youth-oriented, skateboarding-inspired clothing business at the end of April.

Morgan has lived in Oroville since she was two years old. She married James and has two boys, Wyatt and Josey. But, anyone who knows her knows she is not only one of the downtown’s newest business owners, she is like a mother to many of the area’s youth, particularly those who enjoy skating.

Talking about her decision to open the Dirty 5 Thirty, (which takes its name from Oroville’s area code,) Morgan said, “I saw a need and wanted to fill it. I have had some hard times though. Just before I was supposed to open I lost my mother, and about a year-and-a-half ago a lost one of my best friends. But, I have gained a lot of support since I opened and that has brought me a lot of joy. Having the kids around me has really helped.”

Describing what the shop is all about, Morgan said, “This is not only a business, it is also a recreational hang-out center for the youth. Kids come in after school to do their homework, play games, and socialize, all in a safe place. That’s what I wanted to create, and that’s why I am very happy to have found such a large building.”