Zoo York is a skateboarding company that manufactures skateboards and women's and men's apparel. Originally known as Soul Artists of Zoo York, Zoo York started in the 1970s with a group of graffiti artists in New York from Riverside Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Rodney Smith began Shut Skateboards with Bruno Musso in 1986 for a stronger organization.
In 1993 he ended Shut and created Zoo York.
From the official website:
"Rodney partnered with designer Eli Morgan Gessner and was soon joined by Adam Schatz to help finance and oversee Zoo York’s growing business needs. In 1993 the three partners launched Zoo York and the business officially began".
Recently the company was sold to Mark Ecko. Rodney has left to restart Shut Skateboards.
Zoo York also makes clothing for all generations, mainly targeted for the upper youth. The designs on most of their Shirts and Hoodies reflect the old Zoo York Tunnel graffiti and style. Since 2005 they have seen a significant rise in their sales because of the new graffiti-like style. Most of their clothing is sold in stores such as Pac-Sun but they also sell clothing online on their website.