Agree with everyone agreeing on the reality of guys starting their own board brands and why you support them...but we switched from pro models to shop decks during the recession in the 2000's...sorry about that, but that decision was out of our hands...and that has been addressed by pro's in older interviews...and it never went back to the good ol days since...
Board prices are probably rising with Trump's tariffs on China which are supposed to roll out in August after the hearing. Prices are probably up now for the US because the wood suppliers are probably shipping to other countries that don't impose tariffs or duties, and thus production of skateboard wood for the US has decreased...and duh wood might be short from deforestation...There could be laws in place from last year on wood imports that we don't know about...but any laws, tariffs or duties in place have nothing to do with the environment, it's all political since these fucks don't believe in climate change.
I don't know what he has going on with Mexico and Canada imports but he has placed tariffs on them too and wants to add more. Can we get wood from other countries that the US is not imposing duties and tariffs on? I don't know...
Shops closing from what I've heard are corporate shoe brand's store contracts and the rising cost of property, because corporations supporting gentrification are able to pay the higher rent, pushing out mom and pop business all over the US. If I'm somewhat correct, the industry will never address this in the public because the audience is way too young.
Long story short, learn how to make your board last longer, prices are never going to come back down, ever.