As I just spent most of my Saturday afternoon hanging out with two of Exit’s longtime employees, Josh and Anna, at the NW 23rd Exit Real World location, it is clear that Exit Real World is like no other board shop in town, maybe even in America!

What sets Exit apart form all of the other board shops around? As NW 23rd Manager, Josh Bond puts it, “this store was founded on the premise that this industry can be intimidating and unwelcoming for beginners and women.  Missy Samiee [Exit Real World founder] wanted to change that reputation.” So Enter Exit Real World! 

The Exit Real World legacy began in 1993 when Exit’s founder, Missy Samiee, was determined to introduce to the world a board shop with both stellar service and a welcoming environment, for all people, at all levels. This crew is doing something right as over 15 year later Exit is still in operations, and with FOUR different locations. Exit Real World began with one shop in Salem, OR, expanded to Government Camp, OR, then to Downtown Portland and about two years ago Exit opened up a 4th store in Tualatin, OR.

In addition to Exit’s excellent service, knowledgeable and experienced employees, this shop has the best selection in town, offering gear for the men, women and even for the kiddos! When I asked Josh what this shop has to offer the ladies, he without hesitation boasted that, ”no other board shop in North America will have near the selection of women’s gear as we do. As Exit is owned by a women, it has more of feminine influence and offers one-of-a-kind items that you can’t find anywhere else in the area.” On top of a killer selection, Exit, ’strives to present the most avant-garde offerings from the core purveyors of these board sports.’ In other words, Exit supports the little guy by carrying new and emerging brands that you can’t buy anywhere else in town.

Just when you thought your local board shop could not get any cooler, well it can. Exit is also known for their sweet events, parties and premiers! 

• Demo Series: Exit kicks off each snowboard season in the Fall with a Video Premier.  Lookout for the local shop reps, sweet give aways, the earliest screening of the seasons new videos and sometimes even a pro or two will show up.
• Ladies Night: Around each February 14th (Valentine’s Day!) Exit brings you ladies night. The male employees are sent home, and discounts and prizes given to all you beautiful women!
• Bridge the Gap: By far the most exciting event. Exit’s very own skateboard team wants to visit your school. Why you ask? Because Exit Real World is launching ‘The School Tour.‘ Exit is hoping to, “promote skateboarding as a healthy, positive after school activity for youth.” Exit Real World feels that skateboarding, like any other sport builds both strong bodies and instills the determination necessary for achieving success in all aspects of life.
• Greasebus: Exit supports the Greasebus, as it is Portland’s only waste vegetable oil powered shuttle service. For only  $10 buck this bus will take you to Mt. Hood Meadows any day of the week (they even have Gnu and Lib-Tech gear on the bus that you can demo for free!)

Through hanging with Josh and Anna, and watching them interact with their customers (who many they even knew by name!) it is clear that Exit Real World really is a local board shop that has it all. As Exit’s very own Anna Riegel puts it, “Missy Samiee is above and beyond loyal…and this place feels more like a family than a job.” So on top of great deals, service, selection and fun, Exit has employees who love what they do and truly take pride in their store; and it really truly shows.

If you love Exit as much as we at Westbound Boarder do, let us know about your great experience there! In the meantime, get to Exit and shop because all of their Winter gear is 30% off. OH, if you buy a board from them, they will hot wax it for life!

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