Local Orillia Business Review: Pocket Skate & Vintage
The Ins and Outs of Starting a Business During a Pandemic
KEZIA MCCONNELL & ADAM RICHARDS
Quaint, community-focussed, and passionate, Pocket Skate & Vintage offers a unique opportunity to residents of Orillia. Located on the Mississauga Street strip, co-owners Mark and Grace are the new kids on the block. With their security dog Tuna standing guard, they are a force to be reckoned with in the urban community.
Pocket Skate & Vintage was first conceptualized in July, amidst the pandemic. Due to the economic recession, Grace Schofield, the co-owner, told the Argus, “the bank wasn’t giving out loans of credit cards as easily because no one has reliable income anymore”. Despite potential setbacks, the business opened on August 15th, only one month after the idea was born. They have been steadily gaining popularity in the community ever since.
In addition to what one might expect from a skate shop, Pocket has a charitable focus. Pocket Skate & Vintage has a considerable goal: erecting a one million dollar skatepark in Orillia to replace the current one- which was not designed by skateboarders and does not accurately reflect the needs of the skating community. The business sells shirts from non-for-profit “The Orillia Skateparkers” with 100% of proceeds going towards the new skate park. Thus far, the not-for-profit has raised $20,000.
One benefit of starting a business during a slight economic recession was the sense of “togetherness in suffering” in the pandemic-encased community. With all hands on deck, Pocket Skate & Vintage was ready for business. Grace also stated that many friends and members of the community were more than happy to come and help set up the business in the short two weeks they had to open.
Walking into the shop, you will be greeted by smiling faces and wagging tails. In the front, you will find skate merchandise from both local and widely known companies. Beyond this, you will find skateboards, skate accessories, and safety equipment. At the back, there is an array of vintage clothing curated by Grace to spice up your wardrobe. If you find yourself feeling lost, ask the experts! With a combined thirty years in the industry, Grace and Mark are seasoned skateboarders with only the best interests of others in mind. Proof of this can be seen on the walls of the shop- which is covered in the work of local artists. Overall, we had a blast talking with this new local business and could not recommend them more!
