http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

BayGame SF With Jackson Ratima

Now San Francisco has a BMX shop to call it's own

17 Oct 2016

Bay Game Sf Interview Store Front Bartlett

Intro, interview and photos by Bryce Bartlett / Additional riding photo by Devin Feil

When news broke that Jackson Ratima was planning to open a BMX shop in San Francisco, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm. It was truly a breath of fresh air for Bay Area BMX. The Bay Area has always been an awesome scene with its iconic spots and countless amazing riders. Although, as of late it almost seems as if the scene has slowed down a bit. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe I'm just comparing it to everyone pumping out a million web edits a week down in Southern California. Either way, its dudes like Jackson that remind you that everything up here  is alive and kickin'. Whether it be opening a new BMX shop, organizing a BayGame jam, or just getting out and working on the Percept Video with Bob Randel and friends, Jackson seems to always be working on something and getting the BMX community together. It looked like almost every rider in the Bay Area came out to support Jackson, BayGameSF, and the local scene as a whole during the inaugural shop event. I made it out to the opening shindig to hangout, snap a few photos, and ask Jackson some questions about the new shop.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Bay Game Sf Interview Jackson Ratima Bartlett

Jackson Ratima, the man behind BayGame SF and so much more in the Bay Area.

What made you want to open a BMX shop in San Francisco?

I was born here and grew up riding in the city and it was always something I wanted our scene to have. I hated the fact that the only shop around downtown only sold Fusion and Snafu stuff. I lived in LA for a couple years and before moving back I knew this is something I was planning on doing here. I grew up with 2hip and Solid being around and having a real presence around here, now theres not so much of that and I think its important to kind of keep that tradition of keeping it lit alive. Anytime I was at a 2 hip event or somewhere the Solid guys were it was always wild.  Kids in LA have so many local brands and pros to be around and learn from and hopefully this, although not a bike company, kinda fills that void around here. We've been filming for Percept lately and every time we go out we'd end up talking about getting something going in Northern California for Northern California. Real rider owned street shit.

Have you always wanted to open a shop? Or is this a bit of a newer idea that came about?

Yea, I always wanted to open a shop. At first the plan for this space was to just have a little clubhouse type of deal for the homies where we could hangout and sell BayGame stuff and other friends stuff too but I started getting hit up constantly about selling parts or getting people parts so I figured now is the right time. I've always made BayGame shirts and always kept the idea of opening a shop in the back of my mind.

Bay Game Sf Interview Store Interior Bartlett
Bay Game Sf Interview Cracking Beer Bartlett

Seems like the shop came together pretty quick since the initial announcement of you opening a shop. Did you have any key players in helping get the shop looking good so fast?
As soon as I got the keys I was in here trying to set up. It came pretty much ready to go but my buddies Tomy, Dan, Goose and Black Goose all helped me get it crackin. I already had displays and a few other pieces tucked in my storage ready for when I got the right place. I still got a bit to finish up and a lot more product to add.

The location of the shop is pretty prime considering its proximity to downtown. Was a good location something you were searching for? Or did it just kind of present itself at the right time?

At first the goal was to open in Oakland because I figured there was no way I would ever be able to afford anything in San Francisco. For about a year I would look online for spots and there were a few others that I had checked out but once I saw this one I knew I had to jump on it or I'd be kicking myself in the ass later. So many spots around its perfect. Still can't believe it

Jackson Ratima Over Smith Devin Feil

Jackson with over smith to pull back over on a day out in Oakland filming with Bob Randel for the Percept DVD.

"Talking about getting something going in Northern California for Northern California. Real rider owned street shit."

Do you think having a BMX shop in San Francisco will help the local scene grow as a whole and get more people stoked on BMX?
I'm hoping to really just bring all the different scenes around the Bay Area into one central place. I think it will just expand everyones network of friends or people to ride with. Just 2 days ago someone from Poland came in and while he was hanging out he met some local kids from the city. They live in a neighborhood that isn't too friendly so the chances of them riding with or meeting someone from Poland might not be too good but the shop made that happen. I've been fortunate enough to travel a little bit and the one thing thats the same everywhere I've been is the BMX connection. Automatic homies.

What brands will you be carrying at the shop?
At the moment we carry Stolen, Cult, S&M, Fiction, Further and a couple local brands like SJ Califas, Lil Mikeys Beeswax, Fourohate and First Rule. In a few weeks we will have stuff from Skapegoat, Animal, Lotek, Stranger and Primo with plans to get a few more.

Is the store going to be strictly BMX? Or will you be carrying other brands as well?

BMX only. Fuck everyone else.

Any big plans in the near future for the shop, other than the recent opening party?
LMB street swarm October 23 and the First Rule Halloween ride the week after I believe. A lot of people asked if we are going to do any kind of weekly rides so we will have to figure that one out soon.

Any shout outs?
Thanks to anyone reading this and everyone who picked up a tool or hooked me up with product to get the shop going. I owe you one.

BayGame SF
665 Eddy St. Suite A 
San Francisco, CA 94109

@baygamesf | @baygameonline@jratima

Related Video

BayGame X DIG - Pack Flips Not Backflips

Over 8 minutes of superb San Francisco street - More Info

"...one thing thats the same everywhere I've been is the BMX connection. Automatic homies."

Previous

Setups - Cody Anderson

And one Hoffman Lucky Lady

Next

Knowing Johnny

Age is a state of mind

Related Content

SHAD JOHNSON GOODS PORTLAND 8REASONS BMX RD

8 Reasons Why You Should Never Open a BMX Shop... And 8 Reasons Why You Probably Should.

And no, we're not seriously trying to discourage anyone from opening up a shop...

14 Jul 2015
BayGame-Weather-Report
Play Button

BayGame - Weather Report

Bob Randel, Tomy Prince, Jackson Ratima, Kurt Russell, and more

8 Jul 2015
Bay Game Pack Flips Not Backflips
Play Button

BayGame X DIG - Pack Flips Not Backflips

Over 8 minutes of superb San Francisco street

11 Aug 2016
Thee-Block-DIG-BMX-23-Grand-Opening

Welcome To Thee Block

"We both feel strongly about supporting the younger generations of BMX"

20 May 2015
Nick-Vern-Black-2015
Play Button

Nick "Vern" Black 2015

No rail is safe in NorCal

30 Jun 2015
Navi-Arm-BMX-The-Streets-of-Medellin-Colombia
Play Button

The Navi Arm Colombia Video

Santiago Munoz, Tom White, Mark Gralla, Jackson Ratima, Garret Hoogerhyde, and Zac Costa...

6 Feb 2015
Los  Angeles  Barcelona  Street  Sessions
Play Button

Los Angeles to Barcelona Street Sessions

Jackson Ratima, Bruno Hoffmann, Mark Martinez, ​Emile Bouwman, and more

31 Dec 2015
http://colonybmx.com.au/products/

Latest Content

Uq3c Rb T6 G Jghqdefault
Play Button

SEAN GARDNER - SHF

A LOVELY BLEND OF TECH & STYLE

15 Oct 2025
Iycmp Z9z Wchqdefault
Play Button

CLUUT JAM 2025 / 'CASH UP'

Brussels, Belgium

14 Oct 2025
1g VAC Jov5 O Mhqdefault
Play Button
Z M33usz7 D Rghqdefault
Play Button

Snakebite BMX - Jared Souney Podcast

Integral BMX media manisfestation

13 Oct 2025
Me VA43 E Ye T Ahqdefault
Play Button

Vans BMX & Odyssey - PROOF OF BIKING

Enarson, Benegas, Hilder, Loubser, Young, Raekes, Laverde, Grabner and more

10 Oct 2025
6lsi PNAX Kjwhqdefault
Play Button

MURKY - 'Funny How Time Slips Away' DVD

8 Years In The Making

10 Oct 2025
SQJC2u LN8p Uhqdefault
Play Button

DISC 2

MELBOURNE SCENE VIDEO

10 Oct 2025
V76 KAYB Sc M Ihqdefault
Play Button

SAM GRACE - STILL HAVING FUN

FULL THROTTLE BMX!

8 Oct 2025
O87c ja sn Ihqdefault
Play Button

ALEX KENNEDY - PROJECT Xtras

"That pop!"

8 Oct 2025
P Ugc5d Ew U3 Ehqdefault
Play Button

MOTO-TOUR ISSUE 02

UNDER 13 TAIWAN TOUR

8 Oct 2025
WSXC1 AE Nbkhqdefault
Play Button

WAR PARTY - WE OUTSIDE BABY

Renato Rancso, Boyd Hilder, and Raph Jeroma-Williams

8 Oct 2025
0ls M Aewc Qghqdefault
Play Button

Junior Cunha - Brazilian Frequency

His third Subrosa / Shadow video

8 Oct 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025