154 “You’ve got everything that is hip-hop under one roof, and it’s absolutely amazing,” Ice-T said in 2021. Word. 22222 B EST S KAT E S H O P Cowtown Skateboards 5024 N. Central Ave. 602-212-9687 215 W. University Drive, Tempe 480-379-3605 And other Valley locations cowtownskateboards.com Here’s how much of a pillar Cowtown is in the Phoenix skate scene: There are folks who shopped there since its 1997 opening who are now taking their own kids for the same Vans kicks and Alien Workshop boards. And, yes, things have changed for Cowtown since then; they’re now a local chain thanks to new locations in Glendale, Tempe and Goodyear. They’re also more community-minded, and since 2017 have run the Cowtown S.K.A.T.E. nonprofit to help the youth and build communities via skating. But some things will never change, and Cowtown has always been about skaters and cultural diehards helping and supporting their brethren. It’s not just about having the right equipment and apparel; it’s knowing that the people on the other side of the counter are just as passionate and committed to skating and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Cowtown is the epicenter for all things skating and skating- related in the Valley, and it perpetuates a culture whose values and ideals are in line with the best parts of our desert home (indi- viduality, community, etc.) Whether you can pop shove it, or your knees simply wouldn’t let you anymore, Cowtown will always be home. B E ST STO R E FO R W R E ST L I N G FA N S The Wrestling Guy Store PHX 3210 W. Bell Road, #104 602-815-8229 wgsphx.com Professional wrestling is popular again? As WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle might say, it’s true. After being dismissed for decades as, at best, a niche interest or, at worst, the hallmark of lowbrow culture, wrestling has been attracting more people than ever in recent years. Millions tune into shows such as “WWE SmackDown!” each week or pack sold-out arenas around the world — including Desert Diamond Arena in Glen- dale back in March. So it’s not surprising that a dedicated retail spot for wrestling fandom has popped up in the Valley. The Wrestling Guy Store PHX is a five-star experience for marks and smarks alike. Other local geek emporiums may stock wrestling merch, but they’re jobbers compared with the champi- onship-caliber selection of collectibles and memorabilia from WWE, AEW and other promotions available here, from T-shirts and title belts to posters and trading cards, even Funko Pop! dolls and bobbleheads. They’ve also got rarities such as commemorative folding chairs (natch) from previous pay-per- views in Phoenix and legions of figures filling multiple walls. If you’d like to meet a wrestler instead of owning a plastic version, the store frequently has hosted appearances by legends such as The Godfather and Rikishi. The Wrestling Guy Store PHX, we acknowledge you. 22222 B E ST C O M I C B O O K S H O P Ash Avenue Comics 806 S. Ash Ave., Tempe 480-858-9447 ashavecomics.com You don’t have to be one of Arizona’s biggest comic book nerds to find something fun here, although you’ll be in comic book heaven if you are one. Opened in 2003, owner Drew Sullivan’s small shop is packed to its Abe Sapien gills with single issues, ongoing series and trade paperbacks. There are all the major titles from Marvel, DC and other big publishers, allowing you to scratch any superhero or “Star Wars” itch you might have. There are also shelves full of small- press collections and graphic novels as well as young adult and manga sections. Start your kid on a collection of Disney comics — such as “Darkwing Duck,” “TaleSpin” or “Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers” — while treating yourself to a classic like Alan Moore’s “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” If you’re super into comics, Ash Avenue’s staff has the encyclopedic knowl-
