Division East
Division East
A look inside Division East Photography: Nick Ceglia
Words by Nick Ceglia
Being from New York, I've always mocked New Jersey. Not because I necessarily get pleasure out of it or hate it, it's just so easy. It smells, houses some of the worst drivers in the nation, has nearly indecipherable street signs, expensive tolls; it goes on and on.
After living here for 2 years though, it has grown on me. It's become tolerable here because of the spots, the skaters and because of Division East.
Division East is located on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ - where ironically it is illegal to skateboard - and there couldn't be a better place for it. Just outside NYC and about 10 minutes from the Meadowlands, DE houses some of the best skateboarders on the East Coast. With a roster including, but not limited to, Andy Bautista, Joe Tookmanian, Brandon Westgate and German Nieves, it's easy to see why DE is one of the top skateshops in New Jersey.
On top of being involved in the skate scene, DE is also involved in the hip-hop scene, showcasing shirts by some of New Jersey's best graffiti and street artists and selling paint and markers. DE also sponsors rapper Tame-One, who designed one of the aforementioned shirts. Other contributing artists include Rime, Jerry Gant, Chip 7 and Kemos.
Division East also carries a unique variety of shoes and apparel, far wider a selection than any other skateshop I've seen. With and extensive collection of Nikes and clothing by Lrg and Ernest Sewn, it attracts not only skaters, but anyone passing by.
To have a great shop you need a good owner and a competent staff; Division East has both. Owner, Dave Dowd takes pride in his shop and it shows. Dave is always down to skate, hooks kids up with gear and gives back to the community.
The people there are even down to show you some spots, but not the secret ones. Not like you'd be able to find them anyway. They are all behind some factory somewhere where all the buildings look the same and there are no street signs. Since moving here I don't know how many gallons of gas and hours of my life I've spent looking for spots. It's usually like this: driving around the same complex looking for a spot only to find out the one you're looking for is another complex down the street. You can always call up shop rider Jersey Dave though, because he's too nice a guy to tell you to go the wrong direction.
Like any other shop, DE has its fair share of crazy moments. One of my fondest memories at the shop was when a middle-aged, muscle-bound jerk was threatening a young employee. Dave Dowd started to stick up for him and the roidhead had the nerve to take his shirt off and try to fight him. To make a long story short, everyone in the shop started making fun of his shaved chest and Dave proceeded to kick him out.
Division East is growing fast. They just launched a new website and the are currently filming a new video, which is looking pretty sick. The video should be out sometime in 2006 and from what I hear the premiere will be off the hook.
Although I never hear the end of it about which state I'm "repping" (with the nickname NJ Photog it's hard to tell people I'm from New York), as long as Division East is around I won't be ashamed to tell people I live in New Jersey, no matter how smelly it is. Just don't forget to hold your breath when you pass the Meadowlands.
Being from New York, I've always mocked New Jersey. Not because I necessarily get pleasure out of it or hate it, it's just so easy. It smells, houses some of the worst drivers in the nation, has nearly indecipherable street signs, expensive tolls; it goes on and on.
After living here for 2 years though, it has grown on me. It's become tolerable here because of the spots, the skaters and because of Division East.
Division East is located on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ - where ironically it is illegal to skateboard - and there couldn't be a better place for it. Just outside NYC and about 10 minutes from the Meadowlands, DE houses some of the best skateboarders on the East Coast. With a roster including, but not limited to, Andy Bautista, Joe Tookmanian, Brandon Westgate and German Nieves, it's easy to see why DE is one of the top skateshops in New Jersey.
On top of being involved in the skate scene, DE is also involved in the hip-hop scene, showcasing shirts by some of New Jersey's best graffiti and street artists and selling paint and markers. DE also sponsors rapper Tame-One, who designed one of the aforementioned shirts. Other contributing artists include Rime, Jerry Gant, Chip 7 and Kemos.
Division East also carries a unique variety of shoes and apparel, far wider a selection than any other skateshop I've seen. With and extensive collection of Nikes and clothing by Lrg and Ernest Sewn, it attracts not only skaters, but anyone passing by.
To have a great shop you need a good owner and a competent staff; Division East has both. Owner, Dave Dowd takes pride in his shop and it shows. Dave is always down to skate, hooks kids up with gear and gives back to the community.
The people there are even down to show you some spots, but not the secret ones. Not like you'd be able to find them anyway. They are all behind some factory somewhere where all the buildings look the same and there are no street signs. Since moving here I don't know how many gallons of gas and hours of my life I've spent looking for spots. It's usually like this: driving around the same complex looking for a spot only to find out the one you're looking for is another complex down the street. You can always call up shop rider Jersey Dave though, because he's too nice a guy to tell you to go the wrong direction.
Like any other shop, DE has its fair share of crazy moments. One of my fondest memories at the shop was when a middle-aged, muscle-bound jerk was threatening a young employee. Dave Dowd started to stick up for him and the roidhead had the nerve to take his shirt off and try to fight him. To make a long story short, everyone in the shop started making fun of his shaved chest and Dave proceeded to kick him out.
Division East is growing fast. They just launched a new website and the are currently filming a new video, which is looking pretty sick. The video should be out sometime in 2006 and from what I hear the premiere will be off the hook.
Although I never hear the end of it about which state I'm "repping" (with the nickname NJ Photog it's hard to tell people I'm from New York), as long as Division East is around I won't be ashamed to tell people I live in New Jersey, no matter how smelly it is. Just don't forget to hold your breath when you pass the Meadowlands.
A look inside Division East and some of their hardgoods Photography: Nick Ceglia
A look inside Division East Photography: Nick Ceglia
Division East shop owner Dave Dowd, getting down with some pole jam action Photography: Nick Ceglia
Reader Poll
Video Camera For Skateboarding
Hey filmer geeks, what do you think is the best all around camera to use to film skateboarding and for production?
Categories
- Contributors
- Filmers
- Photographers
- Skate Spots
- Skateparks
- Street
