THE MANIFESTO
If you clicked this, you either genuinely care about our origins or you’re just lost on the internet. This isn't a corporate success story. This is a survival guide built on poor choices, street cred, and an unreasonable hatred for mainstream retail. Read it and weep.
In 2010, Bonkers came to life on a candlelit pentagram that we painted in the blood of aggressive inline kids we caught waxing copings. Back then, we wanted to establish a skate shop that would kick Germany’s skateboarding retail balls so massively that the longboards would fall off the discounter board wall.
Since the mainstream skate industry is about as cool right now as grown-ass men tail-whipping a toy store scooter, we’re not limiting ourselves to skateboarding. Adorno, Frankfurt’s OG skate rat, already knew that there could be no right life in the wrong world, and so we’re moving outside the confines of skateboarding to capture the many subcultures that skating takes influence from: hip hop, metal, techno, film, modern art, you name it.
In 2010, Bonkers came to life on a candlelit pentagram that we painted in the blood of aggressive inline kids we caught waxing copings. Back then, we wanted to establish a skate shop that would kick Germany’s skateboarding retail balls so massively that the longboards would fall off the discounter board wall.
Since the mainstream skate industry is about as cool right now as grown-ass men tail-whipping a toy store scooter, we’re not limiting ourselves to skateboarding. Adorno, Frankfurt’s OG skate rat, already knew that there could be no right life in the wrong world, and so we’re moving outside the confines of skateboarding to capture the many subcultures that skating takes influence from: hip hop, metal, techno, film, modern art, you name it.
we wanted to establish a skate shop that would kick Germany’s skateboarding retail balls
That’s why instead of following today’s algorithm-fueled, copy-and-paste mentality that results in the same mind-numbing and forgettable t-shirt brands produced by people unburdened by creativity, Bonkers is curating brands that have a personality and a story to tell. Skateboarding and subculture don’t have to appease everyone, but invite everyone to be inspired by it.
We run our operations from our headquarters in Frankfurt’s city center, financed by selling colorful sneakers to people who think pin rolling is morally acceptable. However, we’re not only a place for people who’d sell their grandma for new kicks. On the contrary: our service Bonkers Vintage curates classic apparel from skateboarding’s bronze age.
It’s for the young-at-heart and history-conscious, who still dream of that one US trip they did in ’98 when they got mugged at Love Park.
Much like the tobacco industry, we’re supporting the young: our “professional” team consists entirely of skaters who unsuccessfully practice kickflips. They also have to clean up the store every now and then. Also, we frequently collaborate with local artists, creating the most artistically sophisticated graphics and in-store exhibitions known to mankind. Every once in a while, we throw parties that abound with warm beer.
Drop by, say hi, and make our employees kill themselves over dopey questions.
That’s why instead of following today’s algorithm-fueled, copy-and-paste mentality that results in the same mind-numbing and forgettable t-shirt brands produced by people unburdened by creativity, Bonkers is curating brands that have a personality and a story to tell. Skateboarding and subculture don’t have to appease everyone, but invite everyone to be inspired by it.
We run our operations from our headquarters in Frankfurt’s city center, financed by selling colorful sneakers to people who think pin rolling is morally acceptable. However, we’re not only a place for people who’d sell their grandma for new kicks. On the contrary: our service Bonkers Vintage curates classic apparel from skateboarding’s bronze age.
It’s for the young-at-heart and history-conscious, who still dream of that one US trip they did in ’98 when they got mugged at Love Park.
Much like the tobacco industry, we’re supporting the young: our “professional” team consists entirely of skaters who unsuccessfully practice kickflips. They also have to clean up the store every now and then. Also, we frequently collaborate with local artists, creating the most artistically sophisticated graphics and in-store exhibitions known to mankind. Every once in a while, we throw parties that abound with warm beer.
Drop by, say hi, and make our employees kill themselves over dopey questions.
A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF BAD DECISIONS.
We didn't actually plan on surviving this long. What started in an attic out of pure spite to annoy mainstream retailers accidentally escalated into a full-blown retail empire. Below is the chronological evidence of our descent into madness, poor financial choices, and questionable behavior.
THE BLOOD PACT
Bonkers came to life on a candlelit pentagram painted in the blood of scooter kids. Our sole mission was to kick Germany’s skate retail balls so massively that longboards would fall off discounter walls. We hated the mainstream then, and we hate it even more now.
A REIGN OF TERROR
We moved to Frankfurt’s booze boulevard, Klappergasse, to start an almost ten-year reign of terror. Surrounded by cheap apple wine and constant skirmishes with haters, we established our dominance and started curating brands that actually had a soul.
SELLING OUT TO THE CITY CENTER
We finally outgrew the cobblestones of Alt-Sachs and dragged our operation to the foot of Frankfurt's glittering skyline. We swapped the street filth for smooth concrete, offering you the luxury of bailing a kickflip right in front of our shop window.
FUNDING THE CULT
Today, we finance our megalomanic project of subjugating the scene by selling colorful sneakers to people who think pin rolling is morally acceptable. Our team consists of skaters who unsuccessfully practice kickflips and sweep our floors. Welcome to the youth office.
