Empire Roller Rink in Brooklyn also closing

chunchmeow · February 28th, 2007, 03:34 PM

This will be the last rink to close in the 5 boroughs, not including the Long Island ones that aren't easily accessible by train/bus/foot.

The Empire Rink is looking to sell the space to Costco because they can't afford to fix the violations they have with the building (probably structural). They are located on a long block with many empty warehouses, of which Costco is looking to buy and turn into one big warehouse and parking lot.

The problems with this are obvious including the slow death of a culture, the moving-in of a conglomerate, pollution, and car traffic.

The only good I can see in this is the availability of jobs for the area and the possibility that it will bring some positive gentrification.

Its so sad. With all three rinks closing in the span of 2 years I'm losing hope.

hikkergurl · February 28th, 2007, 03:39 PM

Hang in there,Chunch.

Bill · February 28th, 2007, 04:08 PM

wow... sorry to hear that. We've lost a few rinks in my area, but so far there are still a few to skate at.

Bill

chunchmeow · March 7th, 2007, 01:53 PM

update: Heard the story on the news this morning. Its definitely turning into a Costco. They're buying up the whole block and making a mega store. There's a lot of construction going on in that area now. The NETS are building a pukingly-huge stadium and using eminent domain to kick down the tenants and tear down the apartment buildings.

Sometimes I hate the reality of this city. The one constant thing we have here is a housing crisis, not a basketball-housing crisis.

chunchmeow · March 9th, 2007, 05:30 PM

update:

Roxy: Tonight will be the last skate there, from 9pm to 4am.

Empire: They will stay open til April 23rd, to which they'll have a last skate and close their doors. Its definitely turning into a Costco. There's a protest coming up on March 24th starting at 11am in front of the building. I doubt it would actually do anything, but its worth a shot.

rachelannfournier · March 12th, 2007, 08:58 PM

Sorry to hear that. If my rink were to close, I would be totally lost

What are you going to do now?

chunchmeow · March 13th, 2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelannfournier

Sorry to hear that. If my rink were to close, I would be totally lost

What are you going to do now?

I don't know actually. I've tried replacing it with ice skating but it kills my shins. I've also just skated outside on concrete which isn't too bad, but isnt anything like a wood floor. The closest one to me is in long island so I'll have to check that out.

SeJoWa · April 25th, 2007, 04:00 PM

Here's a short video prepared by the New York Times that is certainly worth your time! The good news is, skating lives on in various guises, and as the city grows and changes, I hope we may look forward to a roller skating renaissance...

No doubt this will be a sad day for many of the "habitués".

http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_stor...aed32794d00dcf

SkateSkateSkate · April 25th, 2007, 10:38 PM

I loved the video and hearing peoples views on skating and how much inpact its had on their lives. It sure looked like a jam packed rink and a good time for all. So sad that all these rinks are closing. Another one closed by me a couple weeks ago. The 4th one in my skating history so far

chunchmeow · April 26th, 2007, 04:09 PM

that vid makes me so sad

goodbye empire, we'll miss you!

February 28th, 2007, 03:34 PM	#1
chunchmeow nyc quad addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: center of the universe Posts: 198	Empire Roller Rink in Brooklyn also closing This will be the last rink to close in the 5 boroughs, not including the Long Island ones that aren't easily accessible by train/bus/foot. The Empire Rink is looking to sell the space to Costco because they can't afford to fix the violations they have with the building (probably structural). They are located on a long block with many empty warehouses, of which Costco is looking to buy and turn into one big warehouse and parking lot. The problems with this are obvious including the slow death of a culture, the moving-in of a conglomerate, pollution, and car traffic. The only good I can see in this is the availability of jobs for the area and the possibility that it will bring some positive gentrification. Its so sad. With all three rinks closing in the span of 2 years I'm losing hope.

February 28th, 2007, 03:39 PM	#2
hikkergurl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake Oswego,OR Posts: 232	Hang in there,Chunch. __________________ Live Life Eclectic

March 12th, 2007, 08:58 PM	#6
rachelannfournier Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 47	Sorry to hear that. If my rink were to close, I would be totally lost What are you going to do now? __________________ [FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][/FONT] Rachel

April 25th, 2007, 10:38 PM	#9
SkateSkateSkate Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 136	I loved the video and hearing peoples views on skating and how much inpact its had on their lives. It sure looked like a jam packed rink and a good time for all. So sad that all these rinks are closing. Another one closed by me a couple weeks ago. The 4th one in my skating history so far __________________ ~Anne~

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February 28th, 2007, 04:08 PM	#3
Bill Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,694	wow... sorry to hear that. We've lost a few rinks in my area, but so far there are still a few to skate at. Bill

March 7th, 2007, 01:53 PM	#4
chunchmeow nyc quad addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: center of the universe Posts: 198	update: Heard the story on the news this morning. Its definitely turning into a Costco. They're buying up the whole block and making a mega store. There's a lot of construction going on in that area now. The NETS are building a pukingly-huge stadium and using eminent domain to kick down the tenants and tear down the apartment buildings. Sometimes I hate the reality of this city. The one constant thing we have here is a housing crisis, not a basketball-housing crisis.

March 9th, 2007, 05:30 PM	#5
chunchmeow nyc quad addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: center of the universe Posts: 198	update: Roxy: Tonight will be the last skate there, from 9pm to 4am. Empire: They will stay open til April 23rd, to which they'll have a last skate and close their doors. Its definitely turning into a Costco. There's a protest coming up on March 24th starting at 11am in front of the building. I doubt it would actually do anything, but its worth a shot.

April 25th, 2007, 04:00 PM	#8
SeJoWa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Basel, Switzerland Posts: 182	Here's a short video prepared by the New York Times that is certainly worth your time! The good news is, skating lives on in various guises, and as the city grows and changes, I hope we may look forward to a roller skating renaissance... No doubt this will be a sad day for many of the "habitués". http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_stor...aed32794d00dcf

April 26th, 2007, 04:09 PM	#10
chunchmeow nyc quad addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: center of the universe Posts: 198	that vid makes me so sad goodbye empire, we'll miss you!