Civilist

Civilist in Mitte: Skateshop and Sneaker Destination in a Former Gallery

Civilist opened in Brunnenstraße in 2009, specifically in the premises of a former art gallery. The interior was largely retained, the concrete floor remained, and to this day, the store feels more like an exhibition space than a shoe shop. It is operated by Alex Flach and Andreas Hesse, independently and without a corporate chain behind them. From the beginning, skateboarding and sneakers belonged together here, and the store quickly became one of the addresses through which international brands found their way to Berlin. In 2010, Vans Syndicate set up a pop-up, and in 2012, Stüssy opened its Berlin Chapter here. Both were formats rarely seen in Germany otherwise, and both ran through this relatively small store in Mitte. Brunnenstraße has changed significantly since then, but Civilist has remained one of the constants. Rosenthaler Platz is only a few minutes’ walk away. The store is therefore one of the city’s oldest continuously run skate addresses.

In-house Dunks with Nike SB and a Label that Sells Worldwide

The closest connection is to Nike SB. From 2013, Civilist operated its own Nike SB shop right next door for five years, and several in-house collaborations emerged from this partnership, including Dunk models that were highly sought after far beyond Berlin. Additionally, it has its own label, which is now carried worldwide by selected retailers and differentiates the store from a mere reseller. The assortment remains deliberately narrow: skateboarding and selected sneakers instead of a wall full of boxes, plus apparel and accessories. Anyone looking for a specific limited model often finds it here rather than in a large department store, but must be open to a curated selection backed by a deliberate decision. This is precisely the difference between a store like this and a chain branch: someone here has chosen what’s on the shelf and can explain why. Events and releases have been part of the experience since its opening.