CHARACTERS OF THE VILLAGE

Jeff & Kristen of Uncle Funkys Boards

By Brian & Joy Pape

On a cold Sunday in April, we took a stroll up Charles Street when a man and his little dog caught our attention at the corner of Greenwich. This was Jeff Gaites and Gus, the friendly dog. Jeff invited us downstairs to visit his Uncle Funkys Boards shop.

Village View interviewed the owners of Uncle Funkys Boards, Jeff Gaites (JG) and Kristen Howard (KH), at the shop at 128 Charles Street.

Could you tell us a little about Uncle Funkys Boards?
JG/KH: Uncle Funkys is a ‘mom and pop’ skateboard shop in a basement in the West Village. We’ve been in business since 2006 and we offer all types of skateboards including street/trick, cruisers, old-school, and longboards. We support skaters at all levels and we are very welcoming to beginners. The shop also offers full protection gear. And most importantly, we have a very loveable shop dog named Gus.

Where did the name come from?
JG: My Uncle Sonny from 16th Street in Manhattan, liked to dance at family get-togethers and he got the nickname Uncle Funky. Later, when I had nieces and god-daughters, I also got the nickname Uncle Funky. When it came time to open the skate shop, we thought it was a good name for the shop too.
KH: In 2008, our first shop was at 39 Carmine Street. Then in 2011, at the peak of skate sales, we moved to our current location.

What makes your shop different?
JG: I started skating in 1976 when it was still just a fun activity. My buddy loaned me a plastic Free Former skateboard and taught me how to ride. I always thought skateboarding is something that should be shared. Unfortunately, it got very ‘cool’ and popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Most shops were run by skaters who tended to look down on beginners and made them feel uncomfortable for trying something new. Many shops became “gatekeepers” to keep people out instead of “ambassadors” to include people in the sport. Uncle Funkys is a shop where everyone can be a skater and we welcome them with open arms.

Where do you work?
KH: We live and work here in the West Village. I still do acting and go to auditions, so that work takes me all over.

Where did you grow up?
JG: I grew up in Alexandria VA. I got a job transfer to New York City in 1997. I moved to West Village and never left.
KH: My grandmother was born in New York but married and moved to Arkansas. My parents moved to Michigan where I was born. I pursued acting in LA for a while, then moved to NYC in 2004. I was waitressing at Extra Virgin on West 4th Street and met Jeff there in 2007.

What was it like for you at the beginning of the pandemic?
KH: In March 2020, we had to close down by city order. In April, we were able to offer some curbside services, then slowly opened the store to a very limited number of customers, with all sorts of precautions. A few customers fought against masks. Sales got busy during the pandemic as people looked for ways to have fun and be outside.

What is different now?
JG: We cooperate with other shops to help our customers get the service they need. If someone needs something we don’t have, we can refer them to a shop that does. Likewise, other shops will send customers our way if we have something they don’t. We don’t sell or service electric boards. Many are made in China and sold online. They are difficult to service. It’s hard to get parts, hard to warranty the products and there’s too much liability.
KH: Many buyers were trying them out without any guidance, getting hurt, not using protective gear, and getting into dangerous situations due to the easy speed under any conditions.

What is your favorite thing about your job?
KH: It’s a fun shop. We aim to make skaters feel welcome. Gus is the customer greeter. We got Gus from Social Tees Animal Rescue, a no-kill rescue shelter in the East Village.

What is your least favorite thing about your job?
KH: We’ve had some unfortunate experiences with robberies, and despite security camera records, the 6th Precinct NYPD dismissed it and wouldn’t investigate it, nothing got done.

What is your best memory in the Village?
JG: One of the best times I had was with Kristen on a skate-date over on Morton Street. In typical New York fashion, some guy was cruising around on his bike looking for good finds in the trash. He spotted my skateboard and proceeded to try to ride away with it on his bike. I had to stop him and retrieve the board. I ended up hiding it in some bushes to keep him from stealing.
KH: We got married at Westbeth. It was a blast.

What is your favorite accomplishment?
JG: Taking care of Gus is probably the greatest thing I do on a daily basis. I am lucky to be with him all day long at the shop.
KH: Keeping our relationship is my greatest accomplishment; it’s complicated. We have been through a lot together, are best friends, and share a lot, including Gus.

What is your relationship with the Village?
KH: We are a part of the Village! I’m really interested in the historical aspects and I like being involved with the community.
JG: We live here and work here. I support Kristen’s interests in the Village.

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Uncle Funkys Boards
128 Charles Street
unclefunkysboards.com