Our Story
How a skate crew from a small river town turned into two independently owned shops.
Born in Lawrenceburg
The story of Blacklist begins with a skateboard crew born in the small river town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Though the town sits just thirty minutes outside Cincinnati, Ohio, it was far removed from outside influence and culture — and it cultivated a different breed of skateboarder.
A ragtag crew of misfits and rogues with their own ideas, hard edges, colorful personalities, and creative distinction came together in 2004. This subcultural group of skateboarders, artists, and musicians needed a home. The first shop opened its doors at 148 Front Street, Lawrenceburg.
Two moves, a detour to Colorado, and a second home.
Blacklist's footprint grew and shifted over two decades before landing where it stands today.
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2004
Blacklist opens at 148 Front Street in Lawrenceburg, IN, founded by Joe Hughes with early support from brothers Nate and Ben Giska — a home base for the local skate, art, and music crew.
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Years following
The Lawrenceburg shop moves twice within the town as the crew and the brand keep growing, eventually settling at its current home on Walnut Street.
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Along the way
A brief expansion takes Blacklist out to Colorado before the brand returns its focus to the Ohio Valley.
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Cincinnati
Blacklist establishes a permanent second location on East McMillan Street in Cincinnati, OH — a shop of its own, thirty minutes from where it all started.
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Today
Blacklist's brand reach is nationwide, but both shops remain independently owned and operated by founder Joe Hughes — same crew, same mission.
Our Mission
Blacklist exists to provide a home for individuals, inject its own flavor into the industry, and tell the story of skateboarding from our perspective.
That's still what both shops are for — a curated, independently run space for skaters, artists, and anyone who found their people the way that first Front Street crew did in 2004.
A look around.
Real photography from inside Blacklist's shops over the years — from the original wood-shelved fit-outs to the current build.
