Skater Owned Shops Spotlight | Altar Skate Shop
At the heart of all skate communities are the skater owned shops that keep the scene alive. Supporting local skaters, brands, and events, these shops aren’t just businesses; they’re meeting points, creative hubs, and essential spaces that shape UK skateboarding.
That’s why we launched a new blog series shining a light on the independent skate shops that keep the UK rolling. We’ll be visiting some of the best skater owned shops, looking into their stories, and finding out what makes each of them unique. From their beginnings to the challenges they face today, we’ll celebrate the people keeping the UK skate scene strong.
Whether you’re a local looking for a new spot to support or just want to hear some real skate shop stories, this series is for you.
Next in the SOS Spotlight Series is Altar Skate Shop in Kent. We spoke to Chris Chambers to get the lowdown on this legendary establishment.
This series will be a deep dive into the real people behind the counters, the local scenes they help grow, and the future of skater owned retail.
"A Skate Shop Day participating store is defined as a skater owned and operated retailer whose main primary business focuses on full time, physical store locations, with an always on deep rooted commitment to skateboarding, and whose company is independently owned, and not publicly traded. (In other words, we’re dealing with real, live, physical, indie skate shops – not online retailers or corporate behemoths)."
Altar Skate Shop: The Story Behind the Shop
Paul Vale: When and why did you start the shop?
Chris: im not actually 100% on the correct start time but I say may 4th 2010 (was actually about april but i go of the first invoice i kept)i started it cos me an my pals where over getting the train to london or when we orderd stuff from places i wont name the shops but they somehow still exist i assume they solved the sizing and getting graphics correct issues finally haha
now older an wiser i know of all the good skate shops like you guys and Tuesdays 3amigos legacy etc etc who actually have an idea of what they are doing!
But back then internet wasn't as accessible and we all got the catalogs
remember HLC+ haha classic loved them catalogs
Paul Vale: What was the skate scene like in your area when you opened?
Chris: it was pretty small but tight! was an older gen too so we had skaters to look up to an learn from. and being the middle gen was nice to see the younger lot start too!
its mad to see people like Craig Questions Scott be a little grom to now a pro skater!
Paul Vale: What’s been the biggest challenge in running a skater owned business?
Chris: all of it if I'm honest! I couldn't pin point one thing but I guess maybe just knowing what to stock and what to avoid is the main constant
when I had the physical shop paying rent that is so tough! anyone who owns a shop i proper feel your pain on that side of it! big respect to those who keep it going
Paul Vale: How has the shop changed over the years?
Chris Chambers: well from the start i sold out the back of my car for 5 years then had a shop for 6 years now I'm back to out the back of my car/house and pop ups
plus the team has changed and I never wanted to run a skateboard brand but since august last year thanks to Jeff at clown I now have a little brand and that my main focus atm turning mates promie (pro homies)
when i had the physical shop i missed out on lots of what was happening in the scene as i had to work more than i wanted to but i don't regret a thing I've done so far
The Local Scene & Community in Dartford and Kent
Paul Vale: How would you describe the skate scene in your town/city?
Chris Chambers (Altar Skate Shop): small but tight we all know each other. most peeps get on and when the jams an sessions happen its always a nice show of people and support for each other
it's got smaller but it goes in waves. maybe this year it'll boom again! be nice to see more out at the locals and more people in the streets!
more girls too! that hypes me up cos when i started there was only 3 and i am someone who believes skating is for everyone and gate keepers can leave off haha
Paul Vale: What role does your shop play in supporting local skaters?
Chris: so i try to put on events as much as i can in the summers i have 43 people who ride for the shop. had 60 at one point but you cant hook everyone up even if you want to!and as i said before want to put more names on boards to show the love for those who are really part of the scene and have talent also some amazing art from skaters that i put on decks an tees etc like charlie(@chuckdaddy_) ant dickinson (@northernbuilt) and Craig Questions Etc.
Paul Vale: Have you seen any standout local skaters come up through the shop?
Chris: yes! Craig Scott for one kents number one pro! Max roton the ramp destroyerHayden Bloomfield street rail destroyer, Nathan kemp tech head, ahh so many to name
danny abel, alex malcom, Rhiannon Thomas who pushing it for the girls and is a great coach for scorcha skate school
lewis gerry tech wizzard george simmons too both tech lads and smash it at park an street
i honestly can say all the team really put in work and i feel bad i cant shout em all out cos there's 43 atm haha
they all bring there own flavour and postive energy to the scene no doubt!
What’s your favourite local skate spot, and why?
Chris: ohh tought one atm we got a spot we call the stage in rochesterits a manny pad and ledges
its good cos you can get a crew there people leave you to it and i like to skate the stuff there.
park wise tho is swanley skatepark proper fun little park great for chill sessions after work!
"About Altar Skate Shop"
Hi, it's Chris here.
I started Altar in 2010. Running the shop out of the back of a car, followed by a physical shop in Dartford in 2015.
I then made the decision in 2021 to close the shop and do pop ups and events instead of being in one location
This leaves more time to interact with the team, friends and the skateboarding community as a whole.
Altar will be running online and with a few pop ups here an there, Keep updated on the site or instagram to see when things are happening.
I am passionate about Skateboarding and will answer questions and advise to my best ability - to customers, new an old.
After all, we all started out with no idea!
Please keep an eye on our website/instagram for all the jams, pop ups and events. Alongside footage and photos of the Altar family, from local skateboarding heroes to pro!
100% SKATEBOARDER OWNED & OPERATED
The Business & The Culture
Paul Vale: What brands do you stock at Skate Pharm, and why?
Chris: mainly british stuff atm
like death, heroin, sabbath, deez nuts, archives, VXSE, clown, salads an more and also stuff from all over the world USA Europe etc likeQuasi, girl, chocolate, zero, thunder, Sml wheels, royal trucks, spitfire etc
the brands i stock i love and they show me support back. i have a rule if they dont interact with me i don't interact with them. its personal doing what we do so if they dont want to interact with me then its cool i don't get upset i just accept they don't need me to stock them and support those that do!
some stuff atm i cant afford to stock but i always happy to get stuff in when people ask
some brands over £80 a deck its to risky to hold stock while its not peak season. Hurry up summer!
Paul Vale: How do you decide what products to bring in?
Chris: i try to keep up with whats happening so if a vids coming out ill get what ever brand it is in a little more than usual, or when mates/customers ask for stuff more than usual
some stuff is just standard to always have like heroin death spitfire thunder as they just classic
Paul Vale: What’s the best thing about running a skater owned shop?
Chris: just being involved with a scene i love and care aboutseeing parks and helping parks happen, seeing mates stoked on being apart of something that they love as much as me and just having the opportunity to stay connected to something I've done since i can remember!
Paul Vale: What’s one misconception people have about running a skate shop?
Chris: that its easy and I'm rich
its mad how many people think that i just have money to burn
its actually very funny how many kids assume i get stock or free an sell it
i really wish it was easy but close to 15 years im still working other jobs and i still havent made my millions ahhaa
Paul Vale: How important is it for skaters to support independent skate shops?
Chris Chambers (Altar Skate Shop): personally i think its important if i was supporting i know that my money would go back into the scene and that it helps get jams going, helps parks get built and helps locals get hooked up and supported
without the indys i think the soul of skating would die dramatic maybe but ive seen shops come an go an what happens if they aint owned by those who love it
Paul Vale: What 3 things would you say you've done well to keep the business going over the years?
Chris: Gone with the flow
made sure jams happen
worked other jobs to help pay the bills
Paul Vale: What’s next for Altar Skate Shop? Any upcoming events or plans?
Chris Chambers: next event is April 5th at kent cocktail bar, gonna be a few of us there and really lucky they let us use the space, will be some artists, tattoo artists, woodworker, questions and french too!
then after that its he 15th anniversary jam at Gravesend prom 4th may and that is going to be well fun! i cant belive my little baby is all grown up haha
Paul Vale: Where do you see the UK skate scene heading in the next 5-10 years?
Chris: as it always does grown shrink and repeat, all i know is ill be there to see it happen and hopefully support some of the new kids and old heads while it does!
Paul Vale: What advice would you give to someone thinking about opening a skater owned shop?
Chris: haha dont fucking bother! unless you want to be poor and really do love being apart of it, cos it will test your love for your hobby and make your hobby a chore! its consumes you and will take your soul! but if you Truley love it and hate money then do it. sound like im gatekeeping but honestly its real hard 15 years in an honestly 2020 is the only year i ever had money in my pocket haha
Paul Vale: If you could collaborate with any brand or skater, who would it be?
Chris: i want to do another collab with spitfire
and if i could work with any skater it would be Anthony Van Englen as there is no one greater to watch skate
thanks for letting me be part of this little series and big up all the skater owned shops who really do make scenes better! that an everyone who's supported Altar in anyway
nothing but Love
SOS Spotlight Series
Safe Chris, we appreciate you partner 👊
