When DQM opened for business on November 1st, 2003, on a nondescript street in Manhattan’s Bowery district, a site of counterculture since the 1950s, home to CBGBs, the beatniks and punk rock, it had just twenty styles of sneakers, a few skateboards and five styles of house brand t-shirts on the shelves. Founded by professional skateboarder Chris Keeffe, born and raised in the heart and streets of New York City, DQM was built on a culture and relationships that began long before the store was conceived, and it quickly found the support of the neighborhood and the downtown scene. Remaining true to this history and its roots in skateboarding, DQM has grown to become not only New York’s premiere location for sneakers, streetwear and skate goods, but also a fully-fledged brand in its own right, with a complete seasonal collection of clothing and accessories sold in select locations around the world. DQM has been proud to work regularly with New York City’s up and coming designers and photographers as well as with companies as well-known as Vans, Girl Skateboards, Nike, Adidas, Crescent Down Works, HUF, Mark McNairy, Stormy Kromer, G-Shock, Oakley and Incase. In September of 2011, DQM opened its second store, in partnership with Vans, the original action sports brand and creator of the first shoe specifically designed for skateboarding. A two story space set within a landmark building in New York City’s historic SoHo district, The General brings the very best of Vans to the East Coast, and continues the progression of DQM. In July 2013, DQM opened its third store, again in partnership with Vans, expanding The General concept to Boston, Massachusetts, opening on iconic Newbury St. Celebrating it’s tenth anniversary this November 2013, DQM continues to push the envelope for a new board and bike generation, at the same time never forgetting where we came from: thanks to friends and family, here and gone. We endure because you do.
