Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Hearn.
Hi Ed, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
What is Groovy Cruises STL? We’re St. Louis’ favorite community-driven social skating crew, built on one simple promise: ALL WHEELS, ALL PEOPLE, ALL VIBES!
It all started back in March 2026 at a Skate St. Louis meetup. Derrion Bennett, Kyle Kasper, Alana Muller, and myself (Ed Hearn) were having so much fun that we decided to meet up weekly and see if we could find more people who loved skating as much as we did.
That simple idea blew up fast—since launching our social media pages in May, we’ve already grown to over 500 followers between Facebook and Instagram! We’ve created a safe, dedicated space welcoming everyone, whether you’re on quad skates, inline skates, skateboards, longboards, or bikes.
As we grew, we built incredible local partnerships and took on iconic city routes:
Partnered with Skate St. Louis (with Auggie Bindbeutel) and Skate Culture (with Stephanie Lindley) to offer beginner lessons, gear access, and fleet rentals.
Collaborated with City League to support local youth sports.
Featured in the official promo shoot for the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s Rollin’ on the River event and rolled through the main event weekend.
Teamed up with Polly and the Pockets, skating all through the town and around the New Town Amphitheater while they rocked the stage.
Organized “The Tower Grove Great South Grand Wiener Rollout” to flood Steve’s Hot Dogs with community patronage after a tough series of events hit them.
Today, Groovy Cruises STL is an extended family on wheels, bringing the community together and keeping St. Louis moving!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s actually been a remarkably smooth road thanks to how warmly St. Louis has embraced us—we’re already averaging 20 to 30 skaters every single week!
One of our biggest learning moments came early on when we relied heavily on AI-generated flyers, but we received some pushback from the community. We listened right away. Using my background in graphic design and video editing, we shifted to creating our flyers and video content ourselves, significantly limiting our use of AI. Doing this allowed us to stay authentic and keep the focus where it belongs: on genuine human connection, getting outside, and bringing St. Louis together.
Other than fine-tuning our content and making sure our scouted routes keep a growing group safe, the ride has been incredible. Seeing 20 to 30 people show up on quads, inlines, skateboards, and bikes week after week proves that St. Louis was waiting for a community like this!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I Do & My Background:
Day-to-day, I work in the training department at Schnucks Markets, and my creative style draws from a background in graffiti art. For Groovy Cruises STL, I handle all our flyer designs, some of the video content and help plan everything from event locations to our rolling routes.
What Sets Me Apart:
I’ve played roller hockey since I was young. I always had speed, but my hands were never the greatest—so just skating was what made me feel comfortable and in my element. That passion for the simple joy of moving on wheels, rather than technical competition, shapes everything we do. I’m not here to gatekeep; I’m here to help everyone feel confident on their wheels.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m most proud of bringing people together, getting them off their phones and off the couch, and creating a warm, welcoming place where everyone feels comfortable rolling with us.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is family and friendship—simple as that.
First and foremost, it’s my wife and my two amazing kids. With them, there’s truly never a dull moment, and they keep me laughing and inspired every single day.
Beyond my family at home, you can never have enough good friends. Building this community has opened the door to making some incredible connections. I’m especially grateful for my partner Derrion Bennett, the founder of Groovy Cruises STL, and our co-founders Kyle Kasper and Alana Muller. Working alongside them to build something this special for St. Louis has brought so much joy, purpose, and lifelong friendship into my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groovy_cruises_stl?igsh=NXVyeDlvNzlteDR3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DcfFgFePD/
