Empire Rink To Close

via Curbed

I'm so sad. My aunt used to live nearby and I spent a fair amount of time running around there as a youngster.

When I was a little kid I'd go to the roller rink with my older sis. Then as a pre-teen, at my school, we had roller nights where the students would take over the rink after school and other local schools would be included. It was soooo much fun.
Years later I bought a pair of skates (NOT inline -blah) at a yard sale and for my 28th b-day all my friends had a huge bash at the local rink. Many bruises and injuries ensued. Damn, I Love the old school rinks. It makes me mad and sad to see such a cultural icon go away, just like drive-ins.

sigh.......

This is so sad . . . this place has a special place in my heart. I used to go there quite often as a teen. I remember blowing my whistle while skating around, being anxious for the couples dance (which was "Always and Forever" or "One in a Million You") and then going buck wild when they played Rock, Skate, Roll Bounce or White Lines. Every time I hear those songs I think of Empire.

I went recently with my son's school and I told my husband we should come back one night like we did when we were dating. Now I have to make sure to get in one last skate.

Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we should all head over there for one last hurrah.

I'm going next Tuesday. This is so depressing.

I spent a LOT of time at "Empire" (as we affectionately referred to it) back in the early '80s. Between that skating rink and Wollman in Prospect Park, I finally became a great rollerskater. I rember those disco hits..."I'd do a-ny-thing for you...I'd do anything...there's nothing in the world that I won't do-o-o-o...". Yes, those were fun days...but pretty dangerous, I must admit. My mother used to forbid us from going there, so we'd have to lie and say we were going to some other rink. But Empire was where all the cool kids went.

So when is this going down???
I'm feeling a field trip coming up soon....

Hi gingerolive,

I lived in Flatbush in the 60,'s, had friends from all back rounds all denominations, and since my wives passing a year ago I have been searching for old friends from my old neighborhood, I could really like seeing some old friends telling them the Stories of my Life with a wonderful women, you could never ever find nicer. She knew how to discipline the kids too Son was easy Daughter was hard. but she was beautiful.

Subject: Empire Skating Rink

When is it closing? Thats so sad, I live close and have been meaning to go for ages and never got round to it. Anyone interested in going? Haven't skated in ages but I used to be OK at it.

There is a group of us going this coming Saturday for my friend's birthday. I think the official closing is on the 23rd