For our seventh Comacan questions piece we wanted to talk to a shop that caught our attention with their interesting name and unique business plan. Driveway Skateshop is based out of Georgetown, Ontario and is run by some of the friendliest and gnarliest brothers in the game. The boys behind Driveway Skateshop have nothing but love for the community of skateboarders and they are committed to getting top notch local product into the hands of skaters. Not only do they want to supply skaters with a wide selection of local goods, but they also want to give back to the community with lessons. Their value at the core of the shop are community first and it shows in everything they do. Without any further ado here are some answers from Driveway Skateshop.
1. Where Does the name Driveway Skateshop come from?
When I Started out skateboarding like many kids I was intimidated going to the public park, I was shy and scared of being judged. My driveway was my own private oasis where I learned the foundations. We want to create a positive environment and embrace the inclusivity of the skateboarding culture in our town. The skate park shouldn’t be an intimidating place. We want to bring a “Driveway” experience to everyone.
Also, we wanted a name that stood out and related to our business plan.
2. What makes Driveway Skateshop different?
We are working with our town to be a proper full time mobile shop. We’re fully renovating a food truck/step-van to sell directly at the parks in our town and go driveway to driveway. If all goes to plan the van will be rolling late July / early August!
We also provide our community with Skateboarding lessons, last summer we were fortunate enough to teach over 30 students ages ranging from 4 -40!
3. Who is the shop run by?
The shop is run by Me (Thomas, 22), and my older brother (Nick, 28). We were both born and raised in Georgetown, Ontario.
4. Why did you start a shop?
My brother and I grew up skating, I knew I wanted to give back to the community.
I thought I’d fulfill this urge by working at the local West49, I quickly realized though that West49 isn’t the same company it used to be. With the addition of Georgetown’s new skatepark I saw the opportunity and jumped in.
Off the bat I knew that starting a shop with the intention to make money was the wrong way to go, Driveway Skateshop will always be for the community over profit.
5. What does skateboarding mean to you?
As cheesy as it sounds Skateboarding has definitely shaped me into the person I am today.
It’s more than just a physical activity, it’s a mental outlet. As soon as you step on the board your focus isn’t on stress, your focus is on landing the next trick.
Skateboarding isn’t about skill either, it’s about having fun no matter your age, gender, orientation, or ethnicity.
Through skateboarding we’ve been able to meet new people and make life-long friends.
Having a platform to share skateboarding and highlight locals is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
6. What is your greatest strength as a shop?
Our greatest strength as a shop is the community supporting us. Without them we would be nothing, we owe all of our current success to the locals that constantly have our back.
7. What’s your dream with your shop?
My dream for the shop is for it to be successful enough to sustain itself so that we can focus on giving back. (Weekly Contest, Events, Giveaways, etc.).
Our main goal would be to offer the community full time free lessons.
I also want to grow our platform, we meet talented skaters every day that deserve to be highlighted. Eventually it would be cool to open an indoor park, but that’s not our priority at this time.
8. How do you feel about working with local companies?
Supporting and highlighting Canadian skateboarding is our main focus.
Working with local companies gives us the opportunity to establish connections and skate with the people working behind the scenes.
We’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of cool people we wouldn’t have met otherwise. We are always down to support our friends!
9. Where can people contact you for products?
You can find our products at:
www.drivewayskateshop.com
Contact us via Instagram @drivewayskateshop
Or email us at: skatesupport@drivewayskateshop.com
10. Anyone you’d like to thank?
Thanks for interviewing us Will, proud to support Comacan Skateboards!
We’d definitely like to thank our Mom, our house is constantly full of skate product coming in and out. Without her support Driveway wouldn’t be where it is today.
We’d also like to thank the locals and all of those that have had our backs since the beginning!
Go out and support your local.