After 12 long years of dedication to the Philadelphia skate scene, Kerry Getz says Its time to close the door of the beloved Nocturnal Skate shop, located on 3rd and South st. Philadelphia, Pa 19147. The official closing was Oct. 19th 2012. Professional skateboarder and X Games gold medalist ( 2000 ) Kerry Getz took the time to remember the past, explain the present, and discuss the future of the skate shop he founded - Nocturnal. In an article with ESPN, Kerry Getz recalls opening the shop in 2000, the same year the X Games came to Philadelphia, the same year he won Gold in the Games.
"My fondest memory is the first year we opened when the X Games brought tons of business to my shop. This helped get the shop get noticed right out of the gate. I won the X Games that year, so I was all over TV and in magazines talking about my win and the opening of my brand new shop 'Nocturnal'. This was huge for NOC!"
Kerry Getz is from Lehigton Pennsylvania and as of Janurary 2012, he is sponsored by Habitat Boards, DVS Footwear, Nocturnal Skateshop, Royal, and Mob Grip Tape. Kerry states that the Nocturnal skate shop was never a profit seeking venture instead he argues, "I built Nocturnal to be a solid core shop to take care of the Philly skaters and support the scene. I never once made money from Nocturnal," Getz said. "I just wanted it there to support skateboarding and to supply some jobs for friends and fellow skaters."
However, there was trouble in paradise. In any small business there are growing pains, changes to the business model and unforeseen pitfalls and expesses. Nocturnal was not exempt from these struggles, "When my original partner Tim Quinn left the business back in 2006, I struggled to find good people I could trust to run the store full time while I skated and traveled for the companies I rode for ( must be hard all that traveling and skateboarding, first class meals and hotels.) After a few rough years of the store getting used and abused, it was time for a fresh start. Getz explained, "I knew I had to seek out some good people to step in and help run Nocturnal and give the shop and the customers the attention and respect they deserve."
As a skater and Nocturnal patron, I would agree that over the years it had lost its genuine and unique feel and almost became a Zumies knock off brand. Any Merchandise that wasn't Nocturnal was almost always ridiculously overpriced. The staff were helpful, when strongly encouraged to be, otherwise they stared off in a euphoric gaze or lost themselves in whatever video the shop was playing for the millionth time that month. Eventually the whole place felt jaded and Vans, Zumies and other franchises began to seem more appealing because of lower pricing and larger variety. But Kerry hasnt given up.
With the recent outbreak of core shops folding under the pressures of the struggling economy, hopefully Nocturnal closing its' doors serves as an opportunity to refine the business model and celebration when it re-opens. "My future plans are to keep the skater run business going and to help expand it." Getz continued, "I'm actually partnering with the guys from Kinetic, which is one of the best shops on the east coast, to help me with the Nocturnal re-launch this spring. This new partnership will bring their expertise on all of the bill paying, ordering type stuff so I can put all of my focus on my skateboard and not day to day stuff that comes along with owning a business solo. I will be able to travel again and stay focused on my career as a professional skateboarder. I really want to thank all the skaters and customers in Philly that have supported Nocturnal over the years, and just to let everyone know that this closing is just temporary and we will be back harder then ever this coming spring." As a Philly Skater, I sincerely hope he means what he says. For one sub Zero and Nocturnal were two of the most iconic skate shops in the city. Word on the street is that Exit isn't doing so hot either, turning down multiple offers of tournament and event sponsorship. East Coast Skate Shops have it rough is difficult as there is a boom in the summer and a recession in the winter months. Al things considered, skaters, support your local shops. Otherwise Zumies and other big brand extream sports retailers will rob us of the culture we have created.
- The Philly Skater Over n' Out
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