The four spinning disco balls and multicolored lights cast a kaleidoscope over the maple hardwood rink, and the smell of popcorn wafts through the lobby filled with skaters zipping across a fluorescent, neon zigzag-and-rollerskate-patterned carpet at Newark’s Roll-A-Way Skating Center.
The rink at 600 W. Church Street, adjacent to the Licking County Family YMCA, has been closed for a summer break and will reopen on Sept. 4.
A visit earlier this year filled the senses: The squeaks of wheels and thuds of falling bodies in the rink are covered by music transcending generations – from Dolly Parton’s 1980 hit “9 to 5” to Justin Bieber’s 2010 classic “Baby.” Roll-A-Way Skating Center is in constant motion.
In the back of the rink sit four old-school arcade machines: X-Men Children of the Atom, Buster Bros, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a Muticade with everything from Dig Dug, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Pac Man and Galaga.
Lori Richardson sits in the front office flipping through cash. With 34 years of experience working at the rink, she counts out bills as if she is dealing out a fast-paced game of cards.
“Here come some of my rowdies,” she says as a group of about a dozen middle-school girls enter the lobby, holding wads of crinkled up cash.
“Where’s sister? Grounded?” Richardson asks one of the girls.
Richardson greets each customer with a smile as she asks what kind of skates they want. Those who bring their own skates wave them like trophies.
Richardson knows most of the customers on a first name – and foot size – basis. She can recall with an uncanny precision the skate size of most of the regulars. Richardson hands back change – it’s a cash-only operation – to all the girls and ends with a thank you.
“I know her great-grandma, grandma, mom, and now her,” she says.
A complete time capsule, Roll-A-Way Skating Center has served as a staple location for all kinds of roller-skaters in the Newark area for decades – celebrating 70 years of business when it reopens next month.
The rink was built in 1954 by Virgil Griffith, alongside other roller rinks in Chillicothe, Portsmouth and Washington Court House. Today, Griffith’s son Elton owns and operates the rink.
At 87, Elton still works at the rink, and frequently repairs damaged pairs of skates – although he has handed over the reins to his own son Ren, and much of the business has become a family affair, spanning over three generations.
“It makes you feel good family’s involved,” Elton says.
Even individual skates have bloodlines.
“I have my mother’s skates. My skates are with me wherever I go,” said Kenna, a senior member of the staff, who wouldn’t provide her last name. She has worked off and on at Roll-A-Way for 41 years.
Others feel immense ownership of their own skates. Richardson, who has had her pair for 35 years, would “never” pass along her skates.
“I like my skates too much,” she says. “They’re my babies.”
Despite the loyal family lines, at Roll-A-Way, family is not always defined by blood.
“We always called the owners Grandma and Grandpa, and we always got called ‘Aunt and Uncle.’ We are like this big cliche,” says Richardson.
“We consider everyone to be family,” says Kenna.
Even some of the regular skaters receive the same treatment.
“The kids call me Grandma,” says Laura Freeze, a regular at Roll-A-Way. “They say I have a lot of spirit.”
Lifted by her 20-year-old, jet black Riedell roller-skates, which are decorated with large pom-poms on the front of each boot, Freeze began skating twice a week about 15 years ago when she turned 55, proclaiming herself as the “oldest skater in the rink” at 70.
“I skate so I don’t ache,” she says.
Freeze, who has been involved in a wide variety of youth organizations, from Girl Scouts to foster care and local youth groups, stressed the importance of the roller rink as a safe, fun space for children.
“This is a place where I can see all of them,” Freeze says.
Makaelah Bering, one of Elton Griffith’s great-granddaughters, said Roll-A-Way isn’t just a place to exercise, but a place where “kids come to be off the streets.”
And while there are plenty of smiles and hugs, the rink has rules that make clear the management won’t tolerate anything but good, clean fun. “NO vulgar or profane language, NO bandannas or hats, NO bare midriffs, tubes or tie-back shirts, NO sunglasses (prescription or otherwise), NO key or wallet chains exposed,” says a sign that greets guests at the front door.
“The troublemakers – grandma would help them,” Bering said. “They would always go to her.”
“Grandma” was Bering’s great-grandmother, Naomi Griffith, who was a prominent fixture at Roll-A-Way during her 61-year union in life and business with Elton Griffith.
Naomi Griffith died in September 2021, but much of her influence remains at Roll-A-Way. The office is still labeled with a small wooden roller-skate sign: “Naomi’s Office.” The front office is still filled with a mosaic of family photos, children’s drawings and knick knacks such as yarn roller-skates and a sign declaring “So I’m not Martha Stewart, Deal With It” – all celebrating Naomi.
“She was a humdinger,” Elton says, his eyes welling with tears.
Much of the staff follow Naomi’s example. Richardson says she finds herself saying the same phrases Naomi said. Bering models much of her life off Naomi’s ideals of being “kind, loving, forgiving.”
On a Saturday night earlier this year, skaters flew around the rink to the soundtrack of the Barbie movie. Calls from the DJ remind skaters that the night is coming to an end. Untying their skates, those ready to leave turn in their skates at the library of different sizes, colors and designs of skates.
Most people leave with hugs from the staff and regulars.
“I’ll see you next week! Did you have fun?” Kenna asks before pulling an entire family into a group hug.
“When you skate, you forget everything,” she says. “Just listen to the music and skate.”
Tyler Thompson writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.