This Ain’t a new skate shop: The Local moves into legendary James Street North club

Moving onto James Street North was a big deal for The Local skate shop.

Firstly, the new location is about four times the size of their previous John Street South shop, owner Jay Dworsky estimates.

Also, the spot has some cultural value.

Until July 26, 2020, 341 James St. N. was the green room" of iconic Hamilton music venue This Ain't Hollywood.

Dworsky is aware of the significance of the location, having been to shows at This Ain't. And The Local, in its eighth year, has hosted events, like the annual Beasley Skateboard Jamboree (Sk8 Jam) at Beasley Skatepark.

The big consensus," he said, is trying to keep things going," with live events inside the skate shop after the pandemic clears, starting with a grand opening.

But before that can happen, they need to finish work on the building.

The Local moved into the new spot - in between Castelli Cucina restaurant and the bar portion of TAH, on the corner of James North and Murray Street West - a month ago.

Next Wednesday the owners plan to demolish the front facade, and install large glass windows.

As far as he knows, Dworsky says, nothing is planned for the other half of the former venue, but the owners are keen to keep it local, something that will benefit the community.

Not a Starbucks."

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com