Skateboarding
© Marv Watson/Red Bull Content Pool
Skateboarding
Top 4 skate shops in Boston
In these shops and at their events, you can connect with fellow skaters and find a wide selection of equipment to match your style and skills.
By Shayna Waltower
4 min readPublished on
Boston’s streets and parks have become a vibrant hub for skateboarders, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the Massachusetts capital’s skating community. If anything, skating has evolved into a lifestyle and form of self-expression for many Beantown skaters. The same can be said for skaters well outside the Bay State.
Red Bull Mind The Gap in Izmir, Turkey on June 21, 2021.
Red Bull Mind The Gap in Izmir, Turkey on June 21, 2021.© Mahmut Cinci / Red Bull Content Pool
Skate shops in Boston are especially prominent hubs for the local skateboarding community. In these shops and at their events, you can connect with fellow skaters and find a wide selection of equipment to match your style and skills. Check out this list of the top skate shops in Boston so you can stock up on gear and level up your skating experience.
01

Orchard Skateshop

Located right in the North End, Orchard Skateshop has become a staple in the city’s skateboarding community. In 2022, the shop moved to its current location and revamped its vintage setup, exchanging it for a smaller, more city-like feel. Despite the tinier space, though, the store owner and manager, both avid skaters, have filled it with tons of boarding gear and equipment.
Boards, wheels, shoes, hats, sweatshirts – they’re all on display at the shop. If there’s anything you can’t find in the shop, check out the online store. You can order what you need and receive your items without paying a shipping fee if you live in the New England area.
If you ever need help with your skateboard, whether you’re building a custom board or changing your bearings, the Orchard team is ready to assist. The shop also hosts many events throughout the year to encourage skaters to hang out and skate together. There’s always something exciting going on at Orchard, from brand-sponsored meetups and coffee chats to contests with free prizes and charity events.
02

Thuro Skate Shop

About a 15-minute drive southwest of Boston, Thuro Skate Shop deals in all things skating, surf, and snow. However, as its name suggests, it’s a skate shop first and foremost.
Here, you’ll find a wide selection of skateboards, wheels, and helmets so you can ride safely and in style. The shop also offers skateboard lessons so you can pick up some gear and some new tricks all in one place. And on days when you don’t want to take the trip to a skate park, you’re in luck with Thuro. Through the shop’s online store, you can buy flat, street, grind, and double rails, among others, to set up wherever you want.
Thuro’s team and ownership are full of experienced skaters who are truly there for you. They’re more than willing to offer advice on skating techniques and guide you to the perfect gear for your skating style and preferences. Experienced technicians are also on-site to help you keep your board in good shape. Rotating your wheels and cleaning skateboard bearings are just two of the many maintenance services that the shop provides.
03

Beacon Hill Skate Shop

Beacon Hill Skate Shop, founded in 1980, is located near Bay Village, one of Boston’s smallest neighborhoods. The shop sells skateboards and all the parts you’ll need for your board, whether you’re building your own or looking for repairs. You can choose from several skateboard brands including Penny, Carver, and Loaded.
Online reviews speak highly of the shop’s owner, Chris, whose knowledgeable and friendly attitude is welcoming to skaters at all experience levels. Chris is known to offer helpful tips and advice about getting started with skating, the best gear for your setup, and caring for your board.
04

Technical Skate Shop

Opened in 2000, Technical Skate Shop is located in the city of Norwell, about a 30-minute drive south of Boston. Technical is one of the only shops in Massachusetts that caters just to skateboarders. It’s one of the top Boston skate shops to visit if you want to build a custom board.
Technical sells some of the best-quality trucks and wheels available, and the store’s walls are lined with decks painted with unique and trendy designs. For your first time putting together your own board and parts, a staff member can help you or even handle the process for you. Technical also sells its own brand of clothes, so you can rep this local shop as you ride across the city.

Gearing up to skate in Boston

Boston skate shops are stocked full of all the gear, apparel, and expert advice you need to feel confident and safe on your board. Maybe you want to try out a new brand or upgrade your setup, or maybe you’re looking to meet fellow skaters. Either way, you’re bound to find what you need at one of the skate shops on this list. Take some advice from the veteran skaters at these shops, grab your board, and put your skills to work.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding