EXTREME SPORTS

Skaters find Eden on Munjoy Hill

By Sonya Tomlinson

What used to be known as “Junk Shop Row” on Munjoy Hill is slowly taking new shape. Joining the Angela Adams Gallery and 249 Hair Salon on the 200 block of Congress Street is Eden Skate Shop, located at 247B, which opened its doors Monday, August 13.

Owner, 25-year-old, Dan Hatch dreamed of opening the only skater owned and operated business in Portland since Shane’s skate shop on India Street, closed its doors nearly two years ago. After working for Deluxe skateboarding company in San Francisco, Hatch, a Portland native, returned home to share his knowledge.

“I wanted to come back and teach kids what I have learned in the industry,” he says. He’s making his new business known by frequenting local skate parks, passing out flyers, and developing an exclusive Eden’s logo for t-shirt sale promotion.

Hatch hopes the store will become more than just a place to buy clothing, boards, and safety equipment with his plans to eventually offer his store’s wall space as a home for local artist’s work. “I want to set up the store so it gives a good feeling to those who don’t skate, too,” says Hatch. “I want people to look in the window and see something more intricate than the generalized perception of a skate shop. The block itself is really coming along. All of the shop owners get along and it’s becoming a nice community,” says Hatch.

Future plans also include providing an indoor area to skate during the long winter months, as well as the possibility of carrying snowboards and related products.

Stores such as this are becoming financially possible with the rise in popularity of skating in New England. In recent months there have been approvals for new skate parks in Wells and Kittery, and in Rye, New Hampshire plans are underway to create a huge, extreme sport complex including BMX, in-line skating, and skateboarding.

Eden Skate Shop is open Monday through Saturday 11am-7pm, Sundays 12-6 and is closed on Tuesdays.