Le Dep Montreal

In a time where skateboarding and just about everything else in retail seems to be moving toward big box chains and mall shops, its always refreshing when a small skater owned store pops up. The problems with letting the wallmarts and zellers of skateboarding run the industry are not few and far between. Shops like West 49, Groms, Zumies, Sport Check, and S3 in Quebec don't support the small details that cultivate and nurture local skate scenes. Homie brands, skater run events, local videos, zines, and homie contests are all swept under the carpet at corporate shops. In most cases one crappy corporate sponsored contest a year and a few loosely established shop riders getting 25 percent off is all mall shops have time for. They're too busy advertising on MTV selling your little sister ROXY "boarding gear". The scenes created by core shops create lasting bonds and relationships that stand the test of time, where as the little groms crawling out of mall shops rarely keep skating past high school. Another upside to keeping shops small and skater operated is the quality of the goods and service. Owner Kris Rose and manager Adam Green know the importance of keeping stock fresh, unique and limited; even if it requires going direct to stores in New York. Le Dep is your montreal spot for brands like Black Scale, Vans Syndicate, DIME, SUPREME and Diamond. It's also your spot for grip, PLEASE don't make the same mistake I did and spend twelve bucks on grip at underworld, when this place has it for three bucks just down the street. So far the team consists of Charles Rivard and photographer Nathan Éthier Myette, but I would expect it to blow up with other big names by the end of the year. Le Dep is located right at peace park on Saint Laurent just north of Rene Levesque at the old location of Temple skate supply. So if you find you self in montreal be sure to stop by and support real skating. Ri and D