Welcome, fabulous humans, and thank you for stopping by. This is the all-encompassing “About Us” section where we delve into the details of our shop. It all began in 2008 as a side project fueled by my passion for art and creativity. I launched this business from a small, 3×4-meter room in my apartment in Sulzbach-Rosenberg.
The journey from 2008 to now has been challenging, but the unwavering support of friends, family, and incredible customers has been invaluable. Their kindness and dedication to my ideas are irreplaceable and I am eternally grateful. I’ve finally found my happy place, like a baby panda nestled safely in its protective mother’s arms (lol).
Over the past 16 years, the business name may have evolved, but our goal remains unchanged: to cultivate honest and trustworthy relationships with passionate creative individuals. Our core belief is embodied in the phrase, “Lift others up around you so in turn, they lift you up.” We not only care about the products we sell but also use them ourselves.
Environmental responsibility is a cornerstone of our values. We have only one Earth, and it’s our duty to protect it. Skitch is committed to green renewable energy and comprehensive recycling. We encourage you to do the same.
Our team is composed of passionate individuals who love what they do. We create, work diligently, enjoy life, and prioritize the quality of our service and ourselves. We pour our hearts into everything we undertake.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our “Badass Little Shop.” Oh, and by the way, our nunchaku skills rival those of Napoleon Dynamite. Skitch is owned and operated by artists, skaters, athletes, and graphic designers united by a shared passion for our work. Today, our diverse clientele seeks us out for various reasons. Below are some pictures and some stories showcasing the shop’s evolution over the years. Be well, friends, and keep smiling!
Skitch Skate Shop wasn't always a skate shop. Back in 2007, I was creating custom artwork for people, drawing murals on walls and designing tattoos.
By 2008, I realized that I was investing my own money into materials, which could be considered a business expense. So, I decided to start a small side business called Cartoon Tank. This venture allowed me to continue my creative pursuits, including wall murals and other artistic projects.
By 2010 I had started to put my artwork on other products like cell phone cases, shower curtains, pillows, and large prints. People would reach out to me through friends And Instagram to commission these pieces. It was a really cool time seeing my artwork being sold to people I realized that I could probably make a business out of it if I kept working at it.
By 2011, I had signed up for a web service, and people started ordering my artwork on various products like hoodies, T-shirts, and more. I decided to rebrand my business as Cartoon Tank Studio, as it sounded more professional.
Things went well until around 2013 when I realized that the platform I was using, Society6, retained a significant portion of the profits. This motivated me to take control of my business and build my own websites and online stores.
By 2014, I knew it was time to take the leap and leave my job as a software engineer to pursue my passion for art full-time.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, skateboarding was a huge part of my life. I loved the thrill of bombing hills with friends and the creative outlet of customizing skateboards. The artwork on decks always fascinated me, and I aspired to create my own designs.
As I progressed through school, I started designing and customizing skateboards for myself and my friends. I enjoyed the process of sanding down boards and adding unique designs to the bottom. I was inspired by the creativity of the skateboarding community, where people used white-out to personalize their grip tape.
I knew I wanted to pursue a career related to art & skateboarding, perhaps starting a skateboard brand or a clothing line for skaters. I was drawn to the community, the culture, and the creative expression that skateboarding offered.
As my artwork gained recognition and started generating income, I realized it was time to combine my passions. In 2014, after a significant life work change, I partnered with a longtime friend to open Skate & Ink. This venture allowed me to share my love for art & skateboarding with others and contribute to the local community. Skate & Ink opened in 2015, in a little town called Grafenwöhr Germany, It was to be my first real brick and mortar shop.
Between 2015 and 2016, Skitch and Ink was a whirlwind of activity. We had a fully operational tattoo parlor offering custom designs, established our first skateboard team, and launched the Cartoon Tank skate company with multiple printed board designs and a variety of T-shirts.
We were even producing merchandise in-house, making T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs right at the shop in Grafenwöhr. While we partnered with another company for skateboard production, the rest of the goods were made locally.
By 2017, Skitch and Ink had grown significantly, and we were struggling to manage all aspects of the business. The tattoo parlor was thriving, the skateboard shop was gaining popularity, and our merchandise production was booming. However, the sheer volume of work became overwhelming.
To streamline operations and maintain quality, we made the difficult decision to scale back in 2018. We closed the tattoo parlor and discontinued in-house merchandise production.
To adapt to changing trends, we incorporated vape products into our offerings and rebranded the shop as Skate Ink Vape.
2019 marked a significant turning point for our business. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, we faced unexpected challenges. However, our vape, skate, and T-shirt businesses unexpectedly thrived. This unexpected success fueled our ambition to expand and rebrand.
After careful consideration and brainstorming, we chose "Skitch" as the new name for our business. This name encapsulates the essence of our brand and reflects our commitment to skateboarding, art, and community.
In 2020, we had an ambitious vision to transform our shop into a one-stop destination for vapers, skaters, and hot sauce enthusiasts. We envisioned a store that would offer a diverse range of products, from vape supplies to hot sauces and apparel. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, we had to temporarily put these plans on hold.
In late 2020, we forged strong connections with key industry players, including DC Shoes and the manufacturers of Grateful Dead and rock and roll T-shirts in Derry, New Hampshire. These partnerships, combined with our growing popularity, led to a significant surge in business. The increased demand necessitated a move to a larger location to accommodate our expanding operations.
So finally in October 2021 we closed our doors at the old location and opened our doors at the new location where we are today we renovated the entire building added new flooring new ceilings new walls graffiti walls we added so much to this store it is a awesome representation of the culture of skateboarding and also we have hot sauces and vape products. We had our friends at IOU ramps come in and install an indoor skate ramp we have 1/2 pipe that people can skate and thrash and check out their new decks on. We also added assorted types of spirits and moonshine.
In 2023, my vision for Skitch finally came to fruition. We introduced a diverse range of products, including hot sauces, moonshine, imported T-shirts, skateboards, art supplies like POSCA markers and MONTANA spray paint, and an art gallery to support local artists. By investing over €30,000 in the local community over the past ten years, we've been able to create a thriving hub for skaters, artists, and enthusiasts. It's all thanks to the incredible support of our customers and the dedicated team behind Skitch Skate Shop.
As we approach the end of 2024, we're celebrating a decade of serving our community. Over the past ten years, our little shop in Grafenwöhr has welcomed customers from all over the world, from Australia to Canada.
Now, with our online store, we're able to reach even more customers worldwide. It's incredibly humbling to see the support we've received from people across the globe.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to our amazing customers who have made this journey possible. Your continued support allows us to invest in our community and give back in meaningful ways.
Here's to the future, and to the wonderful people who make it all possible.
