Legacy snowboard shop closing. Owner says goodbye to ‘a little piece of Boise’
This may be the last time snowboarding, skateboarding and “anything sideways” lovers can walk through the doors of the red building that’s home to Boise’s Board Room.
The outdoor sports shop has been open for 30 years and provided boards of all kinds of recreationists, according to the store’s owner, Chris Heise. But facing issues with the building’s landlord, Heise said he was put at a crossroads.
Heise, who has been with the company since 2001, announced in July that the store might close, after he said the landlord told him he either had to buy the building or pack up. Since then, he said, the community has shown up with generous support for the store, so Heise has been able to keep it going for a few months.
“We saw generations of families come up through The Board Room. Kids buying their first skateboards here, who are now parents bringing their kids in,” Heise said. “We absolutely love the local community, and would not have been able to do all the fun stuff that we do without them.”
The Board Room announced Nov. 12 on Facebook that the store would close this month.
Heise said it was a difficult decision, but ultimately it was “forced upon” him. According to Heise, the landlord contacted him stating that his lease would not be renewed just 29 days before the renewal date and 15 days before a huge shipment of equipment was coming in. Heise had two options, he said — either buy the building for an “exorbitant” $1.75 million or plan to leave.
He said the price was just not realistic. So he canceled winter orders, put up the “everything must go” signs and welcomed his customers for the last time. Inventory is running low, and Heise told the Statesman on Saturday, Nov. 22, that the store would stay open until everything is sold. He expected that would be in the week ending Saturday, Nov. 29. For updates, visit the business’s Facebook page or website.
The store started out as a winter season shop just for snowboards, but the second year it was open, the store expanded to “anything sideways,” Heise said. The store became more than just a place to buy a board; it became a community staple with film screenings, events, competitions and friendly customer service, he said.
Heise said he will retire, spending time with his family and on the slopes.
Closing the retail space at 28th and State streets won’t be the end of The Board Room’s legacy, though. Heise said the company will continue events, including the Grom Games, entering its 15th year as a “friendly” snowboard competition meant to encourage children to start snowboarding without fear.
He said The Board Room brought something special to the city that could not be duplicated. “It is a little piece of what makes Boise, Boise,” he said.
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM.
