THINK outside the box when times are tough, says entrepreneur Brad Smith on the opening of his new Braaap store in Devonport that is home to a skate park and foam pit.
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Mr Smith said the warehouse-store offered kids and teenagers a place where they could get an adrenalin rush from action sports on scooters, skateboards, rollerblades or BMX bikes.
He said a skate ramp led up to a seven metre by five metre foam pit.
A band stage was also set up yesterday for the grand opening.
``It's about youth engagement - providing a positive, fun and controlled environment for the youth to do things they want to do,'' Mr Smith said. ``To give young people a clean adrenalin rush.''
Mr Smith said the opening of the new store, which was the biggest in his retail chain, would bring economic benefits to the region.
``It is not only for the youth but also for the economy,'' Mr Smith said.
``There are a lot of people who are scared at the moment.
``They don't know what to do. We are shaking things up.''
``It is times like these that you have to think outside the box and buck the trend - you can grow in the economy and go against the odds in a small town.''
