A Visit at Arrow & Beast Skateshop in Paris

We explore the latest trends in skate fashion

BTK | 15.03.24 13:43

Today, we're hyped to grant you an exclusive peek into the skate shop universe at Arrow and Beast, the renowned skate shop located at 17 Rue Réaumur in Paris. Originating from Stuttgart, Germany, Arrow, and Beast expanded its horizons to the vibrant streets of Paris three years back. Enter the luminous shiny shop interior on some beautiful fishbone floor and brace yourself for a space plastered top to bottom with the coolest brands and boards. In a nutshell, this shop is a haven for skaters of all levels to spend their hard-earned cash.

In this interview, we catch up with one of the friendly guys behind the counter for a quick chat to see what's up. We attempt to find out about Arrow and Beast's journey, talk about the COVID challenges, check out the latest skate fashion teasers, and get some localist opinions on Parisian skate spots.

Hey there! Tell me a bit about the shop!

Yeah, we opened up about three years back.

Ah, right around the start of COVID? Must've been tough.

Yeah, we were just getting started when COVID hit. Had to shut down for a couple of months, like everyone else. But we managed to reopen after the initial chaos settled.

Who's behind the shop?

The shop was started in Stuttgart (Germany) by Oli Merkelbach, Jascha Muller & Matt Irving before expanding to Paris.

What's hot in the skate shoe scene right now?

The game is definitely ruled by Nike and Adidas.

No love for DC?

Ah, we don't stock DC here, so I can't really say. But Nike and Adidas are definitely holding it down.

Any particular styles that are super popular?

Oh yeah, the Nike Dunks are selling like crazy, along with the SB Blazers and the Air Force 1s. For Adidas, the Superstars are always a hit.

New Balance too, the New Balance Tiago Lemos 1010.

Switching gears a bit, what's your take on skate pants? Polar Big Boys have been big, are they still in Paris, or are people getting a bit tired of them?

Well, they're still pretty popular.

Do you have any alternatives to recommend?

Sure, check out these from London. Yardsale. They've got a different vibe and might be a nice change from the usual.