As a devoted enthusiast of street culture and a connoisseur of New York City’s vibrant skate scene, I can wholeheartedly say that Tenant Brooklyn Skate Shop is a veritable treasure trove for anyone with an appreciation for the raw energy and boundless creativity that defines this unique subculture.
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The Five W’s
Who is stopping by the store?
In New York City’s vibrant skateboarding scene, you’ll encounter every kind of individual imaginable – that’s the charm of it all. One moment, you might spot a seasoned skater cruising by for something as basic as a griptape sheet; the next, someone who seems completely new to skateboarding might show up and buy an entire ensemble. This person could be your neighbor or someone from another part of the world, but it’s hard to predict who might drop by on any given day.
What is the store’s main message?
We want to have fun, put community and quality first, show love to the people who came before us and opened the door for us to do what we do today and, of course, not take this skate industry sh*t too seriously.
When did you open Tenant?
Tenant opened five years ago in September 2019.
Where can we find Tenant?
Our business can be found at 1096 Dekalb Avenue in the neighborhood of Bedstuy, Brooklyn. Additionally, our products are available at selected outlets in Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Why was Tenant created?
In search of an opportunity to repay the city and artistic community that shaped me, I decided to establish a business despite my youth. With a foundation in retail and graphic design, I felt this venture would be the ideal platform for showcasing my skills. Additionally, given my native New Yorker status, presenting my work through this lens seemed uniquely meaningful and essential during that period.
About the Store
Can you recall your first encounter with skate culture?
In about the sixth grade, I had my initial solo train journey downtown for the first time, venturing out to skate at the Brooklyn Banks and the old Lower East Side (LES).
Why “Tenant” for the shop’s name?
These are clear, sensible letters, especially considering that most people in NYC are constantly renting while residing here.
The tenant aims to assist New York City’s skateboarding community and the influential figures who drive it. Can you name a few skateboarding personalities, or individuals from any field, who have inspired you?
I’ve found that nearly everyone I’ve met in New York City has left an impact on the work and approach I take. Some of these influences have been positive or negative. Individuals like Billy Rohan, Keith Hufnagel, Rob Harris, Pyrce Holmes, Pat Murray, Peter Sidlauskas, Lurker Lou, John Shanahan, Jamal Williams, DQM, Quartersnacks, Benny G, Labor, Autumn, Charles Lamb, Kris Buhidar, Official New York, Jesse Villanueva, Yaje Popson, Dick Rizzo and numerous others have inspired me in various ways.
As a passionate admirer of all things fashionable, I’m always intrigued by the diverse array of brands that extend beyond our in-house collection at Tenant. When carefully selecting pieces to feature in our store, I seek out several key factors in each brand:
I prioritize quality, thoughtfulness, authenticity, and a personal desire to buy it when evaluating items, ensuring that genuine buyers are also seeking these qualities.
What’s the coolest thing about owning a skate shop?
Having a versatile and open-ended creative space like skateboarding is empowering, as it offers endless possibilities without strict guidelines. We’re free to steer its course as we see fit. However, it’s essential to remember the preferences and expectations of our customers and the community while making decisions.
In simpler terms, running a skate shop isn’t primarily about making money; it’s more like fulfilling a civic responsibility. What truly matters is that I can keep providing a space for the current and future generations of New York City skateboarders, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
Congratulations on your fifth anniversary as a tenant! Could you share the most unexpected or costly experience you’ve had during these last five years?
It’s likely a clip showing a man dressed as Woody from Toy Story standing firm against Pop Smoke during our previous skate competition with Alltimers. That video really exploded in popularity on its own.
@cambuxaplenty♬ original sound – Cambuxaplenty
The Tenant is well-known for hosting various events, so it’s no surprise that their anniversary celebration is a grand affair. How exactly do these events contribute to building a sense of community within the Tenant?
Raised in Manhattan and attending numerous incredible skateboarding events as a child, it’s truly rewarding to contribute, in my own small way, to the skate scene as a shop in NYC. Our events manage to unite diverse groups, erasing boundaries between various skate crews. This encourages everyone to simply be themselves and avoid the pretentious “NYC cool guy” persona when having fun. As a constant connector within our community, we strive to keep the skateboard culture thriving, but our events take this effort to an even more impactful level.
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2024-10-04 16:26