Internet Support Can’t Keep Southlake Skate Store Open

Skateboarding is in Collective Skateboard Shop owner Chris Goulet's blood.

"I've been skating over 15 years. This is what we do." Goulet said inside his store.

His 15 years on a board lasted considerably longer than the two year run in his store.

Goulet, and his co-owner, Andy Ohlin, closed their doors Monday at Southlake Town Square, despite an Internet campaign by friends and loyal customers.

Goulet and Ohlin both told NBCDFW.COM, the first year of business was good. But when the economy slowed, they tried to re-negotiate their rental rate. Goulet claims the property managers said they'd be willing to work with him, and Goulet says he even did the paperwork the building owners asked for. After weeks of trying to get in touch with them, Goulet and Ohlin says they didn't hear back.

"I've sent emails with the whole plan, to whoever I could that I could contact, that said I could contact them, which only left me a lawyer." Goulet said. Goulet says rumors of a chain skateboarding store have surfaced, and he feels that's why the property managers are kicking them out.

A spokesman for Southlake Town Square's parent company, Inland Southwest Management, told NBCDFW.COM "Over the past year and a half, Inland Southwest Management has worked closely with the owners of Collective Board Shops to keep them operating at Southlake Town Square. Unfortunately, after significant efforts, we were unable to come to an agreement on revised rent terms. IInland Southwest Management works hard to maintain a strong mix of local and national tenants. We plan on marketing the space to new users, both national and local, but have not had any discussions to date. Southlake Town Square is a premier shopping destination in the Dallas area, and we think its outstanding location and unique tenant mix will be very attractive.”