There’s been a lot of chatter on social media from skaters wanting to get their local parks and rec to build a community rink for their residents. While I certainly understand a need to skate, especially if your locality doesn’t have a roller rink, I have yet to see municipalities do a good job with […] The post Should Parks and Rec get into the rink business? appeared first on RollerSk8r ..read more

Why online reviews can hurt your business, if you don't realize what's causing them to begin with. The post Bad Reviews? Why your staff may be to blame. appeared first on RollerSk8r ..read more

If customers aren’t having fun, they won’t be back. With roller skating, the experience will always be challenging for first-timers. Therefore, it’s up to rink operators to make every experience fun and entertaining, whether it’s the first time, or 101st time. Here are some tips to help make skaters want to come back again and again, along with some hints on why they don’t. Don’t Make Them Wait Especially when there is no line at the front door. Many times, I arrive ready to skate, and the box office window is unmanned. And that means the clock is ticking because the session is in progress wit ..read more

If you’ve been to several roller rinks, you probably noticed that many have a bunch of stripes, circles, and lanes painted on the floor. They serve a particular function, and it’s just one way skaters can tell which rinks are serious about roller skating. Yet few sessions skaters understand why they exist. New rink operators should always include these markings on the skate floor, in order to build skating skills among their regulars that will keep them coming back. In no particular order, here is a list on what to include on your rink floor. Figure Circles If you look around the surface of th ..read more

Every snack bar will get a visit from the Health Inspector. Instead of dreading it, be ready for it. They can show up at any time — even on a busy Saturday night. While visiting a rink down South during a midday skating session, I was chatting with the owner when an official looking person wandered into the rink with a tablet in hand. She was from the Board of Health and was there for a spot inspection of the kitchen and snack bar area. I was excited to sit in on the process, and fully understand what they’re looking for, what sparks an infraction, and how we can do better. This County Inspect ..read more

Resolve to Roller Skate in 2024 It won’t be long before we will be in the thick of the holidays, culminating with New Year’s Resolutions on the minds of many, so let’s remind those resolving to knock off holiday pounds, that roller skating is the perfect activity. There’s a reason we see so many ads for weight loss and fitness centers in late December. There’s nothing like a New Year to start a fitness journey, and the old adage is true: choose an activity you love, and it will be very easy to stick with. For some people, that’s bicycling, or rowing, or running. But for a lot of us, roller ska ..read more

Holiday parades are a great way to showcase your rollerskating rink to the local community, and it’s a great value, when you consider the entry fee and the targeted audience. Seasonal events like these are family-friendly, and chances are good, you’ll meet people who need a reminder on why skating is so much fun, and a healthy activity. Plus, there are awards bestowed for Best Entry! National vs. Local Coverage National Parades Every year, right after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which airs on live television to an audience of millions, I start to hear kvetching about how the bowling ind ..read more

“Where are you located?” is a common question that skate tourists have when it comes to visiting new rinks. With the advent of smartphones, and mapping software, it seems anyone can find their way, anywhere. And that includes roller skating rinks. Many years ago, before digital mapping, roller skating rinks were commonly situated on a main thoroughfare, and daily drivers were aware of their existence. Then when real estate started filling in with buildings, and land became more expensive, new rinks were built behind other businesses, like a supermarket, or a McDonalds. In some cases, the rink ..read more

October is National Roller Skating Month That means rinks across the country will once again be offering a Learn to Skate class sometime during the month of October. I recommend that rinks also include a “skate maintenance” seminar that demonstrates how to carefully maintain their equipment for years to come. These classes will reward repeat customers who have been clamoring for this information. Many times, I see people with their own gear at the rink, and their skates are in obvious need of a tune-up. Yet, when I mention it, the common response I get is, “I had no idea I was supposed to clea ..read more

Skating in a roller rink should be fun and exciting, and not annoying. While the lighting system is an important facet of the rink atmosphere, if not done correctly, it can chase off customers. That’s why it’s imperative to find a skilled lighting designer to oversee this project. There are many options in rink lighting these days, and at a much lower price than it cost decades ago. With LED bulbs throwing off less heat, the power bill is also less expensive. That means a plethora of lighting systems to choose from. But before you do, take note. Buying and installing the wrong system can be co ..read more