Draft:Skater Shop Day

Skate Shop Day is an annual event founded in 2020 to recognize and celebrate the culture and impact of the independently owned skateboard store. Held on the third Saturday every February, the day brings together skaters and independent skate shops around the world. A number of limited edition items are produced each year specifically for Skate Shop Day, with a list of releases for each country, and are only distributed to shops participating in the event. Companies such as DLX SF, New Balance and Emerica have all made limited edition product to be sold in skater owned stores for the day.

Background
Founded in 2020 by Scotty Coats and Chris Nieratko, Skate Shop Day emerged from a shared passion for skateboarding and the influence of local skate and record shops on their lives. Coats, who ventured into a music career, and Nieratko, who opened NJ Skateshop, were inspired by Record Store Day to create a similar celebration for skateboarding.

The worlds most widely read skateboard periodical, Thrasher Magazine, was an early supporter of the Skate Shop day movement and threw its weight behind the idea in 2021. The event has gained traction each year since its inception, with Red Bull saying in 2022 that it is "now truly global".

Each year, Skater Owned Skate Shops (SOS) hold their own events for the day, to celebrate its place in its community. These activities include skate jams and limited edition product promotions, and the shops showcase their unique position within the community by offering expert advice. Although Skate Shop Day, the day, occurs once a year, Skate Shop Day, the organisation, provides promotions, marketing, and other opportunities for stores throughout the year, maintaining their website and social media presence for promoting its views about the value of independent skateboard stores.

Impact


Skate Shop Day was intentionally planned for February as this is the slowest retail month of the year. SSD helps skate shops bring in sales in an otherwise difficult month. The event helps to educate skaters about the importance of skater owned shops and helps to keep them relevant and viable for future generations.

Skateboarders who are just starting out, especially those who may not have a local skate store, may be unaware of the work that these shops do in order to support local skate scenes. The event has gained momentum year on year, with collaborations from established skate brands and artists contributing to its growth. These partnerships have lead to exclusive products and designs that celebrate and support the ethos of skateboarding, aiming to keep the culture alive and vibrant. There are 11.08 million active skateboarders in the world.

Skate Shop Day believes skate shops are not just retail spaces but community hubs where relationships are built, and lifetime passions can be fuelled. In 2023, UK Skateboard Magazine 'The Skateboarders Companion' said Skate Shop Day aims to shine a light on bricks and mortar, skater owned stores around the world