On the surface, sure, it's a skateboard shop. The walls are lined with decks and apparel bearing the standard labels like Girl, Plan B and Zero, but this is no run-of-the-mall Zumiez. Look closer, and you'll find a selection of shoes, necessities and rarities that is absolutely unmatched. More important, you'll see that the patrons are regulars, and it's the Index label that they sport with pride. Local, independent and run by lifelong skateboarders, Index has become a refuge of sorts for North Texans in the skateboard scene. From the little kid picking out his first board to the seasoned vet on the Index team, owner Dameon Rowe looks after everyone, welcoming them into the family and immersing them in skateboard culture. It's the idea of teaching a kid how to build a skateboard rather than just selling him one, of having a team of legit local skateboarders put on a demo and then hang out with the kids that look up to them, that sets Index apart.