It was wheels that first got Jeremy Jack and Steve Pierce rolling together and it’s wheels that keep them rolling together.  

The two met as middle school students who were into riding BMX bikes. Eventually they both worked at then-Bicycle Trax in Napa. Opening their own business “is something we always talked about doing,” said Pierce.

Today, the two are co-owners of Honor Studint Clothing Company and skate shop in Napa.

Yes, the misspelling of student is intentional, said Pierce. “It’s a joke,” he said. But apparently it works. “It gets attention pretty quickly.”  

Honor Studint sells all kinds of skateboards, skate accessories and parts including boards, wheels, trucks, hats, sweatshirts and t-shirts. Many have the Honor Studint HS logo on them, printed on the shop’s silkscreen machine.  

Besides skate gear, Honor Studint also sells the upscale Trophy Queen handbags, inspired by vintage bowling ball bags. And in a nod to their former careers at the bike shop, parked outside the Main Street shop is a row of “low rider” or beach cruiser bikes for sale. As summer approaches, Pierce said Honor Studint will begin offering watches, jeans and shoes.

There’s even a small stack of helmets for sale. “They don’t move that fast but I have them,” said Pierce. “They’ll sell at Christmas,” when safety-conscious parents make purchases, he said.

The two designed the interior of the shop, including an elevated counter for easy viewing of the store floor. Dark blue and bright green walls with metal accents gives the shop an industrial theme. Three giant ceramic tiki heads and painted skateboards on display complete the eclectic look.  

This is the first small business for Pierce, 24, who previously worked in manufacturing, construction and sales for Red Bull energy drink.

“I’ve had to learn a ton of things” about owning a retail shop, he said, like inventory management and cash flow, but “I love it,” he said.  

Pierce attributes part of his success to being located close to Napa’s skate park. “There’s tons of kids that skate in Napa,” he said, mostly in the middle school age range.

Pierce said he wanted to make the shop “a fun place where kids can hang out,” he said. Although skateboarders can have a reputation, he said,  “I’d rather get kicked out of a parking lot than have a kid get involved in a gang. There are a lot worse crowds than someone who’s hanging out on a skateboard.”  

“We don’t need to make lots of money,” said Pierce. “As long as I know I’m helping kids, I’m pretty happy with that.”