by Jaymi Goetze
As many know, Forks lost its only surf and skate shop about a year ago. As of May 1, Wilderness Creative opened its doors, located in the heart of Forks at 51 N. Forks Ave. This is a new surf and skate shop with new people. The space is small, but the environment is huge! Inside is starting to fill with skate decks, surf boards, shoes and clothing.
On the walls hang local artwork, pictures and mountains made from silver duct tape. It’s actually very cool!The man behind the venture is David Herberg, 33, from Seattle, with an educational background in film. Believe it or not, he was the key grip for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ hit music videos, “Thrift Shop” and “Same Love!”
So why would he come to Forks if he personally knows superstars? Herberg has been surfing First Beach in LaPush for years and fell in love with the area. He was working at Forks Elementary School as a preschool teacher through AmeriCorps until funding stopped. The talk of opening up a skate shop with friends went from small talk to Herberg having just one day to decide if he wanted the store front or not. He took it with high hopes! Now he and his group of great friends are making dreams a reality.
The mission at Wilderness Creative is to distribute used skateboards, shoes, clothing and rent out surf boards in exchange for a donation, large or small, that gives back to the 501(c)(3). For those who don’t know what a 501(c)(3) is, it’s a code that allows federal tax exemption for nonprofit organizations such as charities and private foundations. Wilderness Creative will specialize in having items such as used skateboards, shoes, back packs and clothes for people in the community who can’t afford new things. “Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s dead,” he said.Herberg’s intention, personally, is to act as a mentor for members of the community’s younger generation, whether that be preparing them for a GED test, a ride to Port Angeles so they can get their driver’s license, and/or teaching them to be self-sustainable.
The shop also will act as an art studio as well as a place to hold events for locals. Sell your art; let people hear your band. Hopefully some donations can be made during this time. No events have been held so far, but the community, especially youth, should act on this opportunity. Contact Herberg if you need to know any information about hosting an event!Not only is there the skate shop, but a friend of Herberg’s has started a garden that will be full of healthy options/snacks for her own family and for children at the skate park so they can stop eating crushed up Top Ramen packages and chips! She plans on filling baskets and having them ready during tourist season as well. You will be able to find these in the skate shop.
The Forks community always has been generous. Simple ways to help out Wilderness Creative can be as easy as a donation, in store or online at http://wildernesscreative.org. All cash donations will go toward shop rent and supplies.
If you don’t have the money to donate, consider giving healthy snacks for the youths at the skate park or for an afternoon barbecue skate session, art supplies, shoes, plain T-shirts, anything can be donated and put to good use.Herberg and the other amazing people at Wilderness Creative are so excited for the future of the shop and mentoring local youngsters. They can’t wait to see it unfold and grow. These people are incredibly inviting and have so much to give. Stop in and see them.Contact Herberg at the shop, at 360-640-0571 or the Wilderness Creative website.
