What Happened to DC Shoes? The Skate Brand Ken Block Sold for $87 Million Before Its Stores Closed

#DCShoes #ShoeBrandHistory #SkateboardingHistory What happened to DC Shoes, the legendary skate brand Ken Block helped build and sell for $87 million? Once a powerhouse in skateboarding culture, DC Shoes went from dominating the skate shoe industry to surviving corporate bankruptcy, ownership changes, and the closure of major retail stores that carried its products. Founded in 1994 by Ken Block, Damon Way, and Clayton Blehm, DC Shoes became one of the most influential footwear brands in skateboarding history, known for its iconic skate shoes, legendary athletes, and groundbreaking marketing. In 2004, Quiksilver acquired DC Shoes in a deal valued at $87 million, beginning a new chapter that brought explosive growth but also a gradual loss of the brand's independence. Despite reaching hundreds of millions in annual sales, DC Shoes faced declining revenue, shifting youth fashion trends, and the financial collapse of its parent company, Quiksilver, which filed for bankruptcy in 2015. After further ownership changes, Authentic Brands Group acquired DC Shoes in 2023. Then, in 2025, Liberated Brands filed for bankruptcy, triggering the closure of 122 retail locations carrying brands such as DC, Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom. This documentary explores the rise and transformation of DC Shoes, Ken Block's extraordinary legacy, the corporate decisions that reshaped the brand, and how DC survived even as the stores that once sold its products disappeared. DC Shoes is still around today, but is it the same skateboarding brand that millions of fans once loved? Subscribe for more documentaries exploring the rise and fall of iconic American shoe brands, forgotten footwear companies, and the business stories behind legendary brands. #KenBlock #Quiksilver #SkateShoes #BrandHistory #RetailBankruptcy