MASON CITY – Soundboard Skateshop was robbed sometime Saturday morning after a live music jam featuring several bands was held.
Soundboard is a skate shop located at 115 South Delaware Ave. with a skate ramp inside and a large stage where bands come and play. Minors are allowed in early, with no alcohol, and later adults only are allowed in.
Friday night the venue was busy, lots of young people and out of town license plates parked out front.
(PHOTO: Jake Lonning (far right) and his business partner Dusty Van Ness (center) chat with their friend Brandon outside the Soundboard, which was robbed Saturday morning.)
Bands played until the early morning hours and then everyone cleared out.
Sometime after that, the front door was kicked in and quite a bit of sound equipment was stolen. The cash register was smashed and thrown into the alley behind the building. The thieves even stole t-shirts. Shattered glass littered the floor.
Jake Lonning of Murmur Studios along with his partner Dusty Van Ness are the owners of much of the sound equipment that was taken.
Lonning said they noticed the break in the next day around lunchtime. “The police came and dusted for fingerprints,” Lonning said.
Mason city police are investigating the break-in at this time and offered no additional details.
Anyone with information should call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.
To hear more about the incident, watch the following YouTube video:
httpv://youtu.be/KcV8RN5_fVA
“First of all, if you’re so concerned about the sidewalk then shovel it your ******* self.”
That’s not my place, I play the role of the pedestrian who has an expectation of safety. It’s the law.
“Quit hating on people that are actually trying to make a difference in this town that is declining every single day.”
A community declines not because of one or two people. Nor does it improve on the acts of one or two people alone. It is commendable they try.
And I shall not attempt to understand the use of hating when modified with on. It makes no sense.
First of all, if you’re so concerned about the sidewalk then shovel it your goddamn self. Secondly, if you are talking about these guys like you actually know them or are “an old friend” then you, my friend, are seriously are an idiot. Quit hating on people that are actually trying to make a difference in this town that is declining every single day. And most importantly, if you’re going to take the time to come up with conspiracy theories about a couple of guys trying to make a living doing what they love then you desperately should re-evaluate your own pathetic life.
Love you guys and what you’re trying to do. You can’t expect everyone to appreciate your accomplishments when most of these people just hate to see you doing better then them.
And to everyone that had something negative or extremely irrelevant to say; do society a favor and work on bettering your own miserable lives.
To everyone who has something bad to say about this shop should just go there and see for their self’s, Nick straight said that the Mason City police can come check the skate shop. Everyone is just stuck on a stereotype that every person that does this sport is a drug user or seller. Really there are drugs everywhere, your favorite sports you’ll find drugs. I know Nick and all the guys that own this skate shop. Yes people make mistakes in their life but they grow up and take care of what they have to and they change. I know many of people including myself that don’t use drugs and still skate, and I know for a fact that people change and they grow up. I’m all the way in Laramie Wyoming in college building a future and working on starting a life for myself I have all the training I need to go start working in the field and I graduate in October, I think it’s safe to say that not everyone that participates in this extreme sport use drugs…… I can sit here all day and point out facts but until you actually go there and see what good they do for the community do not bash on them, cause when it breaks down to it they do something great for Mason City. I wish that this place was around when I was younger; instead my friends and I would make road trips just to find a place like what Nick has. I challenge all you people that have a problem or something bad to say about this place to go to their shop and spend a little time talking with the owners and see what they do, basically get facts and proof that they are doing something wrong. Until then fix real problems like how the North end of town is getting worse by the day, cause I am sure that no one has died or been killed at the skate shop….At least Nick is trying to do something for Mason City, What exactly do you do for the community? Anything for the teenagers or young adults? I don’t think so, don’t talk bad or judge someone for what happened in the past. I am sure if you ask Nick or Dusty that they would personally say that they regret the bad decisions they made.
And to Nick I want to check out your shop when I get in town
If you live in Mason City, why would you spread rumors about these local businesses being ran by drug money? If you don’t know the truth why would you even comment about it? This city already has a bad drug reputation so why make it worse? If you chose not to do business with these local businesses, then don’t. It’s that simple. Why don’t you talk to the people who actually choose to bring their business to Soundboard or Murmur. I’m sure they can tell you the truth about what goes on or what doesn’t. I have been to Soundboard and Murmur and all i see is kids having fun skating, and beautiful music being made 🙂
We reap what we sow.
I’m not sure why this discussion has shifted from talking about a robbery to blasting a business with or without proof of what happens there, but I’m going to try to stay on topic here.
It’s unfortunate that someone decided to break into their business and steal equipment, merchandise, etc. We as a community cannot pick and choose who we will defend when crimes are being committed. We should be hoping that the thieves are apprehended not bickering about what is going on there. If there was a problem going on, wouldn’t the cops already be there? It sounds like they are providing a different form of entertainment for the area. Yes, kids have a lot of different options on what they COULD do, but some of them might just want to hang out at the store and enjoy the culture it provides. For the record, I’ve never been to the after hours show/party but I’ve been told about it. If there is something illegal going on, the police will respond and take care of it. If you’re not happy that it’s there, don’t shop there. To the guys running the shop, I hope they catch the bastard(s) that did this. Good luck!
Yeah, if people want to focus on speculation about a business and crime, it seems silly to do it without facts only because of the “lifestyle” of the patrons.
I know of several businesses which have some criminal history in their past, and most likely in the present as well. And this is not speculation.
1. Wells Fargo–several years ago Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia National Bank. In 2010, Wachovia, now folded into the Wells Fargo family, paid a $110 million dollar fine for laundering over 300 BILLION dollars in Mexican drug money.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/03/us-bank-mexico-drug-gangs
2. Bank of America–a couple years ago, this pillar of the community paid a $137 million dollar fine for its role in a national muncipal bond bid-rigging scheme.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-08/bank-of-america-deal-in-muni-case-may-be-tip-of-the-iceberg-.html
Are these the sorts of businesses we want in our community?
and btw–where does the city and the county do their banking?
What was stated in the paper is that Dusty is not affiliated with the business. That does NOT mean he isn’t my friend and not allowed in the business, just because he, like ALL of us, made a mistake in the past. Insurance scam? Ha. Possible if I could afford insurance. As for where the money to get me started, was from the help of my family and from what i’m told is called a bank loan. You can talk like you know me or us but its obvious you haven’t a clue. I’m up north working full time just to keep the shop open. As for all you other completely out of proportion views, I welcome the police to come check the place out anytime, just tax payers dollars wasting time. Also I have NEVER had merchandise displayed on the sidewalk and ALWAYS shovel my sidewalk, sometimes my neighbors as well. So in the end we’re trying to do something good for the community and the kids. Nobody’s perfect… except for all of you who have the amazing ability of massive assumptions based on nothing… your perfect. 😉
Nick Briggs
Soundboard Skateshop Inc
I’m all for the community and people helping the kids in this town. I hope that’s your true intention and maybe you should cut ties with some of these friends that have made such mistakes when trying to run a “family friendly” business in North Iowa. You are who you associate with. If they are former drugs users/sellers and have bettered their life; GREAT! However it reflects bad on your business. Also if Dusty is a “partner” with Jake L. and they hold events in your business it sure sounds like an affiliation to me. If you’re “up north” then who’s running the shop? You also have no insurance at this skate shop where kids go and injuries could happen? How is that possible?
This “assuming” you speak of comes from someone in your inner circle. You’re also friends with someone named Jake A. correct? Maybe he shouldn’t blab to people about what REALLY goes on there if you don’t want it out in the open.
I must beg to differ sir, as I have more than once slipped and fallen on the ice in front of your establishment. When I walked that route in 2010, it was constantly such a hazard, that I used the street when it was accessible and safe to do so. I am not talking a dusting, but ice, snow and more ice layered on top.
And daily, I see your display of merchandise on the front walk on either side of the door. They were there yesterday, and again today.
And without a permit, they do not belong there as it is a hazard to pedestrians. Ask any good liability lawyer. Especially without a permit.
I beg to differ sir, because as you apparently do not know I didn’t own the skateshop until april of 2011. Your confusing my business with past ones. I’ve only been there for one winter. As for the benches I have never gotten a complaint about them, only compliments, as they were used in the paper for a photo scavenger hunt, as well as a photo scavenger hunt in June 2012, set up by the CITY, to which I donated prizes. BUT… just so your happy, I will obtain this permit for the “Merchandise”, that is for everyone’s use, and juts a foot and a half away from my establishments walls.
“Merchandise” – the commodities or goods that are bought and sold in business.
what a joke 🙂 anything for extra money. they weren’t robbed at all just bad people getting what they have coming to them, don’t deal drugs
“Mason City does not have a lot of things that kids can do for entertainment around here.”
We just spent $9+ million for an update Library. There is a taxpayer funded skate ‘place’ next to Big Blue. We have many parks. Most homes have televisions or computers, where one could watch movies, along with retail and rental stores to get movies at a cheap price. We still have a movie theater. We have a parks department that offers programs for youths. We have an over abundance of trash in creeks, rivers, ditches, and other properties that could be cleaned up. We have churches, restaurants, a mall, and other meeting places.
Please, don’t tell me there is nothing to do in Mason City for young people. Now, it might be more appropriate to say, “the parents of these juveniles did not teach them very well when they were younger”. It could also be said the young people had the wrong role models.
But what can you expect from a generation of kids that dictates to their elders what they will and will not wear, what they will or will not eat, or how many cell phones they require.
In other words, you have the chickens running the hen house.
Thanks to all the people who understand how much Nick, Dusty and I care about Mason City culture. This robbery is a minor set back, NOT a death blow. We WILL continue to hold great music/skateboarding events for all of Mason City to enjoy. The large group of great people in this town that support us, you matter most.
Love to all of you,
Jake Lonning
Murmur Studios LLC
” I believe that these guys are doing something great for Mason City and the public.”
As a member of the public, they are doing nothing for me. As a matter of fact, the record will show, at times, the property is a hazard to the public.
I rather doubt for example, they have a permit to occupy the sidewalk with displays of merchandise, which at night with the very low light levels, becomes a tripping hazard.
And in winter, the sidewalk is never cared for. Ice, snow, and ice on top of the snow accumulate ever year at that location.
And why our City has not inspected and enforced code there is beyond my understanding.
Soundboard is a safe place in Mason City where kids can actually hang out and have fun all year long. In the winter Nick holds all nighters for kids and he sets up games, orders pizza, and gives out merchandise to winners of contest he holds throughout the night. I helped out with an all nighter once and he even took the kids out for breakfast in the morning. It makes me sick that someone would steal from here. I have been to the skate shop many of times and i have never seen anyone drinking there underage. Dusty, Jake, and Nick are VERY strict at the after hour shows where people 21+ are allowed to drink. I am friends with all of them and I’m 20 and I don’t drink and they still wont let me go to the after hour shows. I love how Murmur and Soundboard collaborate to put on great shows for the public. Mason City does not have a lot of things that kids can do for entertainment around here. Kids can come and skate in the day, then hang out to watch the all ages show at night. When the after hour show starts everyone gets ID’d before they can get in. I have also NEVER witnessed drugs being sold in the skate shop, I personally know that Nick would not allow such a thing. These men work very hard to put these shows for the public. They do not sell drugs to get money, they own businesses and make their own money. I believe that these guys are doing something great for Mason City and the public.
Damn bro that sucks they be a couple good dudes hate to see this happen keep you heads up bros
Dusty is your neighborhood drug dealer around there and I remember Nick in the paper saying Dusty was the previous owner who was busted for drugs and he is in no way affiliated with this establishment… Just goes to show you he’s a liar. Probably an insurance scam if you ask me… Where did they get this money anyway to buy all this equipment???? Also Dusty financially backs this “skate shop” if you wanna call it that. There are always minors around there, morning, afternoon, or night… Depends on if Nick is awake yet from the previous night of partying to open that day. I have personally witnessed kids grabbing cigarette butts from out of in front of the shop and sitting there smoking them. I think this is just another reason to shut this place down however when it’s backed by a drug dealer they’ll have a lot of financial backing. They’re using this shop to turn drug money into legit money, pretty simple… I have also witnessed on my way to work at 4am-5am a guy carrying out a passed out girl while guys just stood there continuing to drink their beer. I was at a stop sign there and watched this girl get brought out and held up against a car and him put her into the back seat as I passed by. I don’t think this place, adult/minor should be allowed to bring alcohol into their “establishment” to begin with. I used to work at the mall and I saw people bringing booze in there at all hours of the day/night. Maybe the cops should have been checking for traces of pot instead of prints and shut this place down. I’m sure there’s gotta be something up in the said “crow’s nest” that they “spin” at!
Haterz gunna hate!
Ok this last comment was pretty harsh. stereotyping at its best if you ask me. I believe a couple facts are called for. Just because one person was busted with marijuana almost two years ago doesn’t mean him and his entire group of friends are scum of the earth. Dusty and Jake along with a lot of there friends who are involved in the music scene in mason city are actually college educated and trying to make positive impacts on the community. They could have gone anywhere in the country to try and have this music venue and recording studio but they chose there home town to try to give Mason City something that they never had. Also, you are accusing the skateshop of being finically backed by drug money? You must not have been in there lately because the inventory isn’t looking so great. Nick Briggs pays the bills at the skateshop he throws events to make money and honestly it isn’t much. Bottom line is the bills haven’t been payed and the place is at risk of closing anyway. Same goes for Murmur studios that Dusty and Jake run. Because of noise complaints and receiving an order from the city not to conduct any operations creating sound they have been at a stand still and also not being able to pay the bills. These are both at risk businesses that if you ask me cant catch a break. Is the youth involved? yes. Are they going to make mistakes? yes. But these business should be considered good for Mason City. Not only do they attract people from north Iowa downtown to spend there money at all the new up and coming restaurants and businesses but a lot of the people attending the events are from out of state, spending there weekends and sometime longer in the city. At least they are trying.
If you saw all that how come you didn’t contact the police? You sir are a idiot.
Dusty and jake have ripped so many people off on weed, shrooms etc it’s not any surprise karma has come back around and bit them in their ass.