Instead of waiting around to possibly get booted from its original shop location on Potomac, Sunday Skate Shop opted to be proactive and relocate to 212 Grant Street. Since taking over the new location, Sunday Skate owner JP Gillespie has done a bang up job of building out the space into a streamlined professional business. From the vaulting tin ceilings to the all-glass vestibule, JP has incorporated some dramatic new changes into a spot that was formerly an IT store.
In a setting like this, the merchandise speaks for itself. The wall of decks looks especially eye-catching, the way it mimics the colorful wood patterns that have been playfully constructed on opposing walls.
According to a young guy working the counter, the move has brought about much more of a neighborhood vibe. There’s a lot more action on the street, compared to Potomac. I also spoke with a business owner across the street who told me that it was refreshing to see all of the young skaters cruising up and down Grant Street. As I was taking pictures of all of the professional shop details, a skater/customer standing at the counter commented on how much he loved the new space. Compared to the old digs (which were also nice), there’s an unmistakable upbeat and refreshing vibe about this new place.
As for the shop’s merchandise, Sunday still accommodates all of the needs of the East Coast skater community. There are decks, trucks, wheels, helmets, sneakers (Adidas, Nike, Converse and Vans), t-shirts, bearings, waxes, etc. The Grant Street location offers plenty of room for skaters to gather inside, to watch skate videos and shoot the sh*t about the industry. More than anything else, the shop fills a gap on the street by offering an impressive retail component unlike anything else in the city. Seeing Sunday open in this particular location is a natural piece of the ever-evolving Grant Street puzzle. JP and his skate buddies will surely be rewarded with this strategic West Side move.
Sunday Skate Shop | 212 Grant Street | Buffalo, NY 14213 | (716) 362-1523
