Skater shop opens along Ballard Ave.

A new skater boutique called Trickwood will throw its grand opening celebration tonight. It’s upstairs from King’s Hardware next door to Triple.

Trickwood has been open for a few weeks, and the shop features hard-to-find skater shoes, skateboards, t-shirts and vintage magazines.

Now, before you wonder why Ballard is getting another shoe store, owner Steven Baldwin explains that his limited-edition Nike and Vans shoes are really hard to find. Baldwin’s other shop, over in Kirkland, has seen long lines out the door as skaters try to get their hands on new arrivals. Sound familiar?

Yep, just like that Entourage episode when Turtle tried to cut in that long line outside a LA shoe store for a pair of limited edition Nike Fukijamas.

Baldwin says he also sells Manik and Krooked skateboards, T-shirts and vintage Thrasher skateboard mags from the late 80s and 90s. “The whole store is sort of a continuation of 1994, when I was 14,” he says with a big smile on his face. “I don’t have to fully grow up.” We’re jealous. Tonight’s grand opening begins at 6 p.m. and will feature custom Vans shoes painted by local artist Actual Pain.