Jenkem interviews with EU shops on the state of shops

[Síota]

https://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2026/06/12/how-are-european-skateshops-doing/

Very good read. Deluxe take note please. Kids can't afford your prices over here.

[TheWineClub]

Even Europe is tired of the shitty blanks like the ones Limo uses and I’m with that. After price adjustment you’re talking almost 60 bucks for a shitty 5 dollar blank with a cheap screen printing logo on it, nobody wants that.

[Tear Up a Trick]

Great read.

Makes me wonder when the old generation dies off, who will come along to see running a shop as the dream job?

[Willie]

Interesting stuff. Speaking of playing it safe, I just watched that documentary on skate deck graphics and it struck me how little I’ve given a shit about any deck art I’ve had in the last 10 years save for a few good ones. It’s really hard to get excited when so much of the art seems designed to not offend.

I also agree with the idea that gear is kind of becoming like generic “sports equipment” and in light of that, it’s sort of intolerable when a particular team’s product feels measurably inferior.

[peterpenis]

If you’re not average height, deluxe (and I guess some other big us companies) have the only decks that consistently work. But other than that I see no reason to not by decks from local brands. If there even is a quality difference it does not justify the price difference. In terms of doing stuff for the scene the bigger companies obviously had to lower budgets so they don’t feel as present as before.

Random bbs decks are just way too expensive in Europe. Local is 60-70€, dlx 80€, stuff like limo/sci-fi or passport starts at 85€ and goes up to 100€
Hot take : jacuzzi is outselling sci-fi and limo combined in Europe. Not because we have no taste over here, well we don’t, but the main reason is Louie somehow manages to get the decks into shops at reasonable prices

[excitableboy]

Interesting stuff. Speaking of playing it safe, I just watched that documentary on skate deck graphics and it struck me how little I’ve given a shit about any deck art I’ve had in the last 10 years save for a few good ones. It’s really hard to get excited when so much of the art seems designed to not offend.

I also agree with the idea that gear is kind of becoming like generic “sports equipment” and in light of that, it’s sort of intolerable when a particular team’s product feels measurably inferior.

Which one is this?

[Ghost Face]

I see most replies where around shoes and clothing and not about hard goods. Am I correct? I think only 2 hardgoods brands was mentioned, Violet and DLX?

[mrosk8]

The situation over Europe is like that
Skateshop or Street Boutique(the way they like to be)
invest in clothing, trying to buy the lower price decks around at distr, asking for constantly discount, pay bad (really bad)
Some of the one in the list are almost in bankrupt due to bad administration of the shop.
They use the words like  'give back' without doing nothing.
A few of them maybe run some spots but with money coming from the brands not from their pocket.
Some are non skaters at all, with bad attitude, talking shit on others shops in town because 'they are the real one'
Europe is great for skateboarding, less for skateshops and yes there are a lot of them out there doing more than the one in the list.

[Sk.A.T.A.N]

The situation over Europe is like that
Skateshop or Street Boutique(the way they like to be)
invest in clothing, trying to buy the lower price decks around at distr, asking for constantly discount, pay bad (really bad)
Some of the one in the list are almost in bankrupt due to bad administration of the shop.
They use the words like  'give back' without doing nothing.
A few of them maybe run some spots but with money coming from the brands not from their pocket.
Some are non skaters at all, with bad attitude, talking shit on others shops in town because 'they are the real one'
Europe is great for skateboarding, less for skateshops and yes there are a lot of them out there doing more than the one in the list.

Real talk. I've been to most of the shops in this article. Usually you enter and face some dickhead that thinks he's the shit because they happen to work at the "cool skateshop". Dont even acknowledge you, have some kind of attitude... Always puts me off of even buying anything to support. What's really the incentive to support those skate shops honestly?
You gotta have the finger in the pulse and stay connected with what the kids want, I see way too much bitterness in shops that think we owe them something just cause they were the "OG's" and do nothing to really motivate me and support them.

In the brighter side I think CyberCafe mentioned in the list is doing good things in the Lisbon scene... They got a good crew going, interesting product offering, do a shit ton of content and events that keep people engaged. I'm a fan.

[scab]

Some of the shops featured in this are boutique shoe and clothing stores that happen to sell some skate hardware. That doesn't mean their gripes with the industry can't be valid, but they don't have all that much in common with what I presume most of us old heads on here think of when we picture a skate shop. I grew up hanging out at a shop where the owner would spend an hour hammering out your jacked up kingpin and give you a sticker for your trouble on the way out. While I understand that alone isn't a viable business model, it very much was (and still is!) what a scene needs. One particular shop mentioned in the article nowadays straight up tells customers to go to the other shop in our city when a customer comes in with any kind of hardware malfunction, even if it's just a jammed bearing. They aren't there to help you set up or maintain a skateboard, they are there to sell shoes and clothes. Nothing wrong with that per se, but don't claim to speak for skate shops if your business is trying to have as little to do with actual skateboards as possible.

[S.]

Some of the shops featured in this are boutique shoe and clothing stores that happen to sell some skate hardware. That doesn't mean their gripes with the industry can't be valid, but they don't have all that much in common with what I presume most of us old heads on here think of when we picture a skate shop. I grew up hanging out at a shop where the owner would spend an hour hammering out your jacked up kingpin and give you a sticker for your trouble on the way out. While I understand that alone isn't a viable business model, it very much was (and still is!) what a scene needs. One particular shop mentioned in the article nowadays straight up tells customers to go to the other shop in our city when a customer comes in with any kind of hardware malfunction, even if it's just a jammed bearing. They aren't there to help you set up or maintain a skateboard, they are there to sell shoes and clothes. Nothing wrong with that per se, but don't claim to speak for skate shops if your business is trying to have as little to do with actual skateboards as possible.

This is true for SHRN and Bonkers. Both mostly just use Skateboarding to sell limited edition clothing and to do sneaker drops. They are hypebeast shops. The owners of Bonkers don’t even skate.

This is reflected in their statements in this piece. They mostly complain about products not being exclusive enough. Most of their customers don’t skate.

[roba]

Real talk. I've been to most of the shops in this article. Usually you enter and face some dickhead that thinks he's the shit because they happen to work at the "cool skateshop". Dont even acknowledge you, have some kind of attitude... Always puts me off of even buying anything to support. What's really the incentive to support those skate shops honestly?
You gotta have the finger in the pulse and stay connected with what the kids want, I see way too much bitterness in shops that think we owe them something just cause they were the "OG's" and do nothing to really motivate me and support them.

In the brighter side I think CyberCafe mentioned in the list is doing good things in the Lisbon scene... They got a good crew going, interesting product offering, do a shit ton of content and events that keep people engaged. I'm a fan.

i visited cybercafe last february and i got that exact vibe from the guy behind the counter, but i expected it since it's a super boutique-y shop. there were no homies inside, it was just me, my friend and the shop guy. my jeans weren't as faded and slim as shop guy's so he was looking at me funny at first but after i expressed my interest in spending some money there he got nicer. i bought a 45 euro shop tee, it was discounted to 35 euros on the website but the guy charged me 45 anyway. i like skateshops so i didn't mention it and paid the 45 for the culture. after wearing it once or twice i washed it in 30 degrees celcius and it shrunk. it's a 2xl but it fits like a large now.

[Willie]

Expand Quote

Interesting stuff. Speaking of playing it safe, I just watched that documentary on skate deck graphics and it struck me how little I’ve given a shit about any deck art I’ve had in the last 10 years save for a few good ones. It’s really hard to get excited when so much of the art seems designed to not offend.

I also agree with the idea that gear is kind of becoming like generic “sports equipment” and in light of that, it’s sort of intolerable when a particular team’s product feels measurably inferior.

[close]

Which one is this?

It’s unfortunately named “Sk8face”. It’s free on Amazon right now. Does a pretty good job of getting a few words from a lot of influential artists.

[matty_c]

Expand Quote

Real talk. I've been to most of the shops in this article. Usually you enter and face some dickhead that thinks he's the shit because they happen to work at the "cool skateshop". Dont even acknowledge you, have some kind of attitude... Always puts me off of even buying anything to support. What's really the incentive to support those skate shops honestly?
You gotta have the finger in the pulse and stay connected with what the kids want, I see way too much bitterness in shops that think we owe them something just cause they were the "OG's" and do nothing to really motivate me and support them.

In the brighter side I think CyberCafe mentioned in the list is doing good things in the Lisbon scene... They got a good crew going, interesting product offering, do a shit ton of content and events that keep people engaged. I'm a fan.

[close]

i visited cybercafe last february and i got that exact vibe from the guy behind the counter, but i expected it since it's a super boutique-y shop. there were no homies inside, it was just me, my friend and the shop guy. my jeans weren't as faded and slim as shop guy's so he was looking at me funny at first but after i expressed my interest in spending some money there he got nicer. i bought a 45 euro shop tee, it was discounted to 35 euros on the website but the guy charged me 45 anyway. i like skateshops so i didn't mention it and paid the 45 for the culture. after wearing it once or twice i washed it in 30 degrees celcius and it shrunk. it's a 2xl but it fits like a large now.

This is so accurate I felt like I was there

[Gunot]

Expand Quote

The situation over Europe is like that
Skateshop or Street Boutique(the way they like to be)
invest in clothing, trying to buy the lower price decks around at distr, asking for constantly discount, pay bad (really bad)
Some of the one in the list are almost in bankrupt due to bad administration of the shop.
They use the words like  'give back' without doing nothing.
A few of them maybe run some spots but with money coming from the brands not from their pocket.
Some are non skaters at all, with bad attitude, talking shit on others shops in town because 'they are the real one'
Europe is great for skateboarding, less for skateshops and yes there are a lot of them out there doing more than the one in the list.

[close]

Real talk. I've been to most of the shops in this article. Usually you enter and face some dickhead that thinks he's the shit because they happen to work at the "cool skateshop". Dont even acknowledge you, have some kind of attitude... Always puts me off of even buying anything to support. What's really the incentive to support those skate shops honestly?

Realest shit I‘ve ever read.
Go to those shops and be prepared to get cool guy‘d and spend more than elsewhere.

Meanwhile, European shops are now getting the made in China boards (yes, even from DLX, etc.), while the made in Mexico versions stay in the US.

[Sangriawaterfall]

I went to cyber cafe the other day to buy some magazines I wouldn’t find as easily in the states and picked four out and dude just gave em to me, so I bought a few shirts. Dude was super nice and has shared spots with other friends of mine. I should’ve just bought all my beer there.

[excitableboy]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Interesting stuff. Speaking of playing it safe, I just watched that documentary on skate deck graphics and it struck me how little I’ve given a shit about any deck art I’ve had in the last 10 years save for a few good ones. It’s really hard to get excited when so much of the art seems designed to not offend.

I also agree with the idea that gear is kind of becoming like generic “sports equipment” and in light of that, it’s sort of intolerable when a particular team’s product feels measurably inferior.

[close]

Which one is this?

[close]

It’s unfortunately named “Sk8face”. It’s free on Amazon right now. Does a pretty good job of getting a few words from a lot of influential artists.

Yea that is a bad name. Looks interesting though, will check it out thanks!

[Sk.A.T.A.N]

Expand Quote

Real talk. I've been to most of the shops in this article. Usually you enter and face some dickhead that thinks he's the shit because they happen to work at the "cool skateshop". Dont even acknowledge you, have some kind of attitude... Always puts me off of even buying anything to support. What's really the incentive to support those skate shops honestly?
You gotta have the finger in the pulse and stay connected with what the kids want, I see way too much bitterness in shops that think we owe them something just cause they were the "OG's" and do nothing to really motivate me and support them.

In the brighter side I think CyberCafe mentioned in the list is doing good things in the Lisbon scene... They got a good crew going, interesting product offering, do a shit ton of content and events that keep people engaged. I'm a fan.

[close]

i visited cybercafe last february and i got that exact vibe from the guy behind the counter, but i expected it since it's a super boutique-y shop. there were no homies inside, it was just me, my friend and the shop guy. my jeans weren't as faded and slim as shop guy's so he was looking at me funny at first but after i expressed my interest in spending some money there he got nicer. i bought a 45 euro shop tee, it was discounted to 35 euros on the website but the guy charged me 45 anyway. i like skateshops so i didn't mention it and paid the 45 for the culture. after wearing it once or twice i washed it in 30 degrees celcius and it shrunk. it's a 2xl but it fits like a large now.

Damn ok that sucks. First time I went there a few years ago the owner was there and was super nice, engaged in a conversation for a bit and we even exchanged IGs and stuff so I left with a good impression. I was trying to start a brand with some homies at the time and we even got to partner up in a event in Porto, which is not even really their market but was cool of them.
I did go again this last Christmas when visiting some friends and there was some other younger dude there that wasn’t super communicative but wasn’t rude or anything. I also wasn’t really with my “skate attire”, I guess he just assumed I was a tourist and didn’t really pay attention. I bought a beanie and left.

But well, at the end of the day this is all anecdotal evidence. Make whatever out of it.

[TheWineClub]

Seems like all of these Euro shops forgot that having a skate shop meant selling skateboards too and not just clothes

[Mystical Leader]

Yeah it’s seems like us euros have the same experience all around..

My city used to have like 5 different shops most of them have closed. The ones we still have are either turned into fashion boutiques or some shit like that. The best one needed a fundraiser for 75k€ to keep the lights on because of their bad business decisions after covid. It’s a cool shop and all but is it our job to keep the lights on? Yeah maybe for the culture but at the same time I don’t know maybe things need to die so something new can grow..

Nobody is buying 110€ fa or limo bloards. Which is kind of a good thing in a way that it makes it easy to support local board brands that are almost half the price and the same quality if you don’t need a foil graphics.


Also all that talk about shops giving back to community if they are doing so much for the culture how did we lose a whole generation?? It does not make sense to me.

Sorry for the incoherent ranting English isn’t my first language