Five years after it closed its Allston location, Orchard Skateshop, a beloved staple of Boston’s skateboarding community, is returning to the neighborhood.

The shop will reopen in the Allston Hall building at the corner of Franklin Street and Braintree Street (4-8 Franklin St). Orchard had announced its comeback on Instagram this past February. Although an exact date has not been set, the shop told us in a statement that the opening date, which will include a new storefront and an event space, will take place in mid-to-late August. As its reopening inches closer, long-time skater Anthony Rodriguez calls their return “bittersweet.” 

“I met those guys a few years back when I was about in high school. They were just super welcoming, especially a kid from out of town and coming in. Gave me boards, gave me everything and took care of me,” says Rodriguez.

Founded in 2006 in Mission Hill, Orchard later relocated to Allston, where it operated at 156 Harvard Avenue for ten years. The shop quickly grew into one of New England’s most prominent skate shops as a purveyor of skateboards, apparel and equipment galore. It also expanded its role — organizing clinics, contests, and community events that bring together skaters from across the city and beyond.

“If you think of New England skate shops, the first thing that comes to mind is Orchard because there’s not many other big brands that come out here, they do so much for the community. I mean, it’s unprecedented,” says Rodriguez.

In 2020, the shop was forced to leave when the landlord decided not to renew its lease, according to the Boston Globe. Two years later, Orchard opened a new physical location in the North End.

For Rodriguez, who calls skateboarding “his life,” the return of Orchard is more than a new storefront on Franklin Street. Shops like Orchard, he says, are gathering places for communities and friendships. He hopes that it will stay that way.

“I want them to stay how they are. They’re a local skate shop. We like them to take care of our people, our community, and do stuff for our people,” he says. “Orchard fucking rules.” ■