Tarentum's Dry Bones skate and tie-dye shop to celebrate 5 years in business

Dry Bones skateboard shop owner Brian Snyder and his family have a big celebration planned to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the Tarentum business.

Dry Bones, at 317 E. Sixth Ave., offers customers a wide range of merchandise, including skateboards, organic soaps, oils, incense, tie-dye clothing, licensed rock ’n’ roll shirts and more.

The anniversary event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and feature The Philbombs, a local Grateful Dead tribute band led by Snyder’s longtime friends Derrick and Brian Beattie.

Snyder said he is a huge Grateful Dead fan, adding the band has fueled his drive and interest in what he does, “as far as the tie-dye and hippie clothes.”

The event is free, but Snyder is encouraging attendees to donate to The Philbombs.

“The band is amazing, and they’re playing pretty much for nothing,” he said.

In addition to the live music, there will be raffles and giveaways for Dry Bones merchandise.

Past events at Dry Bones have included food trucks and skateboarding demos on a closed-off Sixth Avenue in front of the store.

Snyder says he wants this event to be more low-key.

Since the pandemic, which was busy even though customers were in quarantine, Snyder said, Dry Bones has made its anniversaries and celebrations more relaxed.

He is encouraging attendees to visit Barley, a neighboring bar, for refreshments.

“I thought it would be way more beneficial to my neighbor and to the community,” Snyder said.

Cheryl Stover, owner of neighboring Barley, said popular menu items such as chicken wings, fresh-cut fries, pizza and Barley’s junkyard burger will be available during the event.

IDs will be required to enter the bar, but orders will be taken outside to make food accessible to customers of all ages.

Stover spoke highly of Dry Bones and Snyder.

“They’re really, really good neighbors,” she said.

Dry Bones will be providing outdoor seating to watch The Philbombs, and the store will remain open for business during the event.

The official five-year anniversary of the business is July 20. In celebration, Dry Bones will offer cupcakes and beverages that day and will remain open until 8 p.m.