NJ Skateshop Interview

I’ve been in the shoe game for about 5 years now. I’ve traveled around to a lot of places to get SB’s, clothing, and acessories. I’ve been to a lot of shops but one that really caught my eye was NJ Skateshop. It’s a small skateshop located in Sayreville, New Jersey hence the name “NJ.” Three friends started the shop about two years ago, their names are Steve, Chris, and Troy. So here’s your chance to get to know the shop a little better with a full blown interview!

Alright then lets start this off…

Chris: What’s your name, and how did you end up working at NJ?

Steve: NJ skateshop is three people that form like voltron. Troy Jankowski, Chris Nieratko and myself Steve Lenardo.

C: Yeah, I remember when I first started coming into the shop about a year ago, you guys have really grown as a skateshop.

C: How did NJ Skate Shop get started, and how did you get your name?

S: NJ skateshop is something that we dreamed of as youths skating in Sayreville. Troy fought the good fight and got one of the better skateparks in New Jersey right in Slayerville. Upon this we opened NJ skateshop.

C: How long has NJ been open for?

S: NJ has been open for 2 years now and we just celebrated with a skate jam at the park on July 15,2005.

C: How do you feel about the direction skateboarding is taking?

S: Everyone has their own direction with it. Some will start today and be done tommorow but then their are a select few that just can’t stop and thats the direction we want the kids to follow. Trends in skateboarding exist but its all about riding the board.

C: Yeah, I remember when I used to work at Blades, that was around 01-03.. that’s when it was really hyped.

C: I know NJ is more of a skateshop, but what do you find yourself getting more of, sneakerheads or skateboarders.

S: We get a bit of everyone coming in the shop. Skateboarders are the majority but sneakerheads come to get our tees as we put them out as well as check for the latest kicks.

C: I noticed you have a Nike SB account, was it hard to get one?

S: Getting the account wasn’t that difficult due to a lack of Nike SB retailers in this area. The harder part was getting Troy and I convinced to carry it. My friend Darin gave us nikes to skate and I haven’t skated any other shoes since. We were sold.

C: Since this interview is going on HYPEBEAST, how do you feel about the hype of the Dunk SB?

S: We found it crazy at first but we respect everyones gangsta. If kicks make you happy who are we to judge. I knew it was serious when Troy & Chris were working one day and some guys rode their bikes from Brooklyn for some of the lucky shoes.

NJ’s very own Nike Dunk SB Hemp

C: Yeah, I was there for the “buck” craze, I haven’t seen that many kids in the shop at a time!

C: You’ve probably seen the HYPEBEAST website, how do you feel about it?

S: I like it and respect it, we don’t believe in knocking peoples passion. To put a quality site together like HYPEBEAST proves passion for kicks and helps people network about it.

C: Any future plans for NJ skateshop?

S: The future is up in the air. We started with 20-40 decks, 6 styles of shoes with one of those styles gone in a day(Heinkens). A t-shirt rack and some stickers for sale. I’m proud to say we have 70 styles of sneakers 5-6 racks of tees, jeans from Matix, Stussy , Volcom and Krew. Numerous face outs of clothes and always have at least 120 boards in stock at all times. I’m hoping to get a shop video together. I’m truly proud of the guys that ride for us. They are a talented group and I feel its only right to let people see them doing their passion. While I’m on that topic I want to throw a shout out to the team/family that help spread the word. Also I would like to thanks HYPEBEAST for this interview.

C: Maybe in the future we can have a NJ x HYPEBEAST Collab?

S: A HYPEBEAST x NJ tee is something we should work on in the future.

C: I definitely would like to see that! Thanks Steve!