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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When explaining the popularity of the “glow phenomenon” at roller skating rinks, Nick Champa said it’s not exactly rocket science. “Have you ever seen what it looks like when someone waves a glow stick around in the dark?” asked Champa, owner of Champ’s Entertainment Complex in Lexington, Ky. “A glow stick will put a kid […]
Read more...Dominic Cangelosi, owner of Moonlight Rollerway Skating Rink in Glendale, Calif., recently donated his vintage Hammond B3 organ to the National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln, Neb. Museum Director James Vannurden explained, “Rinks have always had music. This is Dominic’s personal organ that he would bring to wherever the National Indoor Championships were being […]
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When you run a roller skating facility, your goal is to keep the families coming and ensure that a new generation grows up loving to skate. The roots of Skate Daze in Omaha, Neb., go back to the 1940s when the father of current owner Scott Cernik, traveled the Midwest with a portable rink. Now […]
Read more...The family entertainment center industry is growing at an ever-increasing pace. In fact, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions estimates the FEC industry has growth of approximately 25 new facilities each and every year – and the roller skating industry is no exception. In interviews with several roller skating rink owners, we found […]
Read more...Be flexible. The more you’re willing to work with a client, the more likely they are to come back – and to refer a friend. Use social media. More people go online to plan events. That’s why getting the word out on sites like Facebook and Twitter can help link your facility with potential customers […]
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