After nearly 41 years of business, Skate King will close its doors indefinitely. Until June 30, the public skating rink will remain open during regular business hours, with free entry for visitors and a $5 admission and quad rental fee for those who want to skate.
Skate King General Manager Michael Louis has worked there for 30 years. He said popularity isn’t the issue, as Skate King has continued to bring in upward of 800 people each Saturday. The reason for closing is that the money the company brings in can’t keep up with the increasing property value of its location off of 140 Ave. NE and NE 24 St.
“Someone else can afford that value, but skating can’t,” Louis said in an interview with King 5.
DJ Apollo, a former employee and emcee for the Skate King farewell parties described the most difficult part of the closing, “A whole generation of kids and adults that will really miss this place.”
An Eastside Harley Davidson motorcycle shop is expected to replace the current skating facility.
Louis, however, won’t give up without a fight, and is looking for investors and potential places to open another skating rink.
“I wouldn’t try to pursue something if there wasn’t demand for it,” Louis said in an interview with MyNorthwest.com.