What roller rink trends generate the most business? How do centers pick the right kind of music for their skaters? And what does the food and arcade picture look like for rinks around the nation? At Star Skate in Ada, Okla., Manager Jacob Faulkenberry said that besides skating itself, “We have arcade games and a […]
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America’s foodie trend has transformed menus with locally sourced, high-quality fare — not only at restaurants, but also at theme parks, museum cafés and other attractions. One arena where this transformation has yet to take hold is the roller skating center. At rinks around the country, owners and managers said their patrons still want the […]
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By Hilary Danailova Roller skating is a retro activity, but it’s still a popular pastime for skaters old and young. That’s partly because rink owners and managers make an effort to keep their facilities fresh and modern to appeal to a new generation of families. “The two most important things are the floor and the […]
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Pizza is a popular grab-and-go food option at roller skating centers, and there are many pizza options available to choose from. Some roller skating centers opt for buying pre-made pizza, like Rola-Rena Roller Skating Center in Green Bay, Wis. “We have a local pizza place, Hansen’s Pizza, make our pizzas for us,” said Owner Mary […]
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There’s nothing quite like the scent of freshly popping popcorn to set people’s mouths to watering. They may go to a roller skating facility first and foremost to skate, yet when the right incentives are present skaters soon have more on their minds than simply spinning around the rink. Facility owners and managers know this […]
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By Amy Freeman It’s a common question: Is it better to have a lot of people working a shift or to operate with a lean crew? Both options have benefits and drawbacks. Overstaffing means you’re prepared if you get a sudden rush of people. Working with a small team can help save money. Managers and […]
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By Jen Heller Meservey Keeping skating center floors looking like new involves lots of routine cleaning and maintenance, according to Kevin Sahly, co-owner of Wooddale Funzone in Woodbury, Minn. “Overall building cleanliness is critical in that it is the first and last impression our guests will have of our facility,” he explained. “We implemented a […]
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By Sara Hodon Despite competition from games and technology, after-school sports, and other extracurricular activities, roller skating rink operators interviewed for this article said that they still have a loyal customer base. Like most pastimes, roller skating has gone in and out of fashion, but operators said that it is enjoying a comeback. Besides being […]
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By Genie Davis With so many wheels rolling across the carpet at roller skating centers, choosing the correct kind and color of carpet for floors and walls, as well as establishing sound maintenance techniques, are both important to keep skaters and operators happy. At Roller King Skating & Blading in Roseville, Calif., Manager and Owner […]
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While many skating centers feature new lighting technology like lasers and black lights, VanHouten said that the disco ball is still king of the rink. “The old standard is still the disco ball,” she said. “Everybody always wants to make sure the disco ball’s going.” Moonlight Rollerway has made some advancements in lighting, according to […]
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