Bazaar Skateshop works to grow Scranton's skateboarding scene in NEPA
Jun. 27—Caleb Hartnett and Tom Hopkins strive to strengthen the Electric City's skateboarding scene.
The Scranton natives opened Bazaar Skateshop on Adams Avenue in October 2021 to provide skating enthusiasts a resource they didn't have while growing up.
And they're improving the Jackson Street Skate Park in West Scranton, which they say continues to deteriorate.
"There needs to be a place for kids to skate," said Hopkins, 32. "I've been going there (Jackson Street Skate Park) since I was about 15 and it's been exactly the same since — just a lot worse. It's been falling apart every year. There are cracks forming and the obstacles are old and used. We took it upon ourselves and used our own money, and donations, and built some permanent obstacles. We gave it a new look and it brought a lot of people there."
Scott Gassenmeyer, Scranton's parks and recreation director, said city officials are exploring more skating opportunities as well as updates to the Jackson Street park. He also commended the business owners for their work enhancing the facility.
"I think it's amazing these guys are investing their time and effort into improving the neighborhood and skate park they spend a lot of their time in," he said. "We think it's a good spot for kids and young people to skate and we're doing our best to make sure the area is maintained and clean for them."
Bazaar held its annual skate day event June 17 and Hartnett estimates attendance was nearly double from last year and participants included women, men and kids.
"Skateboarding is an extremely diverse community," he said. "It's super inclusive ... all ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations are welcome."
Bazaar's owners said they are excited about an action park under construction at Hollenback Park in Wilkes-Barre and want to see a similar project launched in Scranton.
"The Wilkes-Barre park is definitely going to be great for the area," said Hopkins. "We need to keep it moving and continue getting skate parks all over the place. There should be a skate park in every town. It's a great outlet for kids and it's very good for the community."
Hartnett, 27, said he believes the new park will provide a boost to the local economy — including businesses like Bazaar.
"Anytime we've done a skate trip to a park outside the area, we ask the locals where the good food spots are and the cool bars," he said. Also, if there is a skate shop in the area, we go there to support them."
Bazaar, the only core skate shop within about 70 miles of Scranton, has become a popular gathering spot for skaters.
"Skateboarding has always been a thing in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and even in the Poconos with Hawley and Honesdale," said Hartnett of Kingston. "Now, all those seams that were kind of separated have one cohesive place to meet up."
Hopkins noted people travel to the shop from areas including Bloomsburg, Danville and upstate New York.
Liz Baldi, business development director for Scranton Tomorrow, praised the ingenuity of Hartnett and Hopkins throughout the last two years.
"They have a really unique perspective on a small business in the downtown," she said. "Bazaar has been wonderful with trying to host different events and getting people to the area."
The downtown shop continually updates its inventory to keep up with the latest trends, Hartnett said.
"We have a good finger on the pulse of what's going on in skateboarding," he said. "Anytime there is something new going on in the skate scene, we try to get the products in our shop and keep it relevant and fresh."
Baldi credits Bazaar's owners for putting Scranton on the map among skateboarders.
"There is a vast skateboarding community, and they travel," Baldi said. "They look for different skate parks and destinations for skating and we didn't really have a specific draw until Bazaar opened. It's a great opportunity to get a different crowd shopping and dining in the downtown."
Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @rtomkavage on Twitter.
