My partners and I saw roller skating as something that was going extinct, and we wanted to bring it back. Many of the existing rinks are old and outdated, and we wanted to create something new and fresh, where kids could come for movement and fun,” says Kendrick Bracey, co-owner of Rollerland in Stamford.
The best part about this location? Because it’s indoors, skaters can glide year-round—snow, heat or rain never touch the surface. And more time on skates means more chances to make memories.
“We have parents bringing their kids here and recreating memories that are similar to those from their own childhoods,” says Bracey.
Designed in the 1700s by Belgian inventor John Joseph Merlin, roller skates—and the culture around them—have rolled through centuries of reinvention. There were roller derbies in the 1930s, roller discos in the 1970s and the inline skating boom of the 1990s. During the pandemic, roller skating surged again as a safe way to socialize and workout at the same time. Through it all, skaters of every generation have found joy in moving and grooving on wheels.
Rollerland, which opened last fall, is housed in a 6,000-square-foot space on the fifth floor of Town Center. Bracey says it’s an ideal location. “Malls have become places that people go to for more than shoping. They go for entertainment too.”
Regular visitors say the rink’s retro glow-in-the-dark theme, strobe lights and always-pumping music keep the energy high. Another plus: Walk-ins are welcome, since reservations aren’t required. Rentals are available too, with traditional quad and inline skates. Lounge areas and private rooms make the venue ideal for birthday parties and corporate gatherings, which can be served by the on-site snackbar or catered with custom menus.
Then there are the theme nights that draw crowds, including TikTok Tuesdays, College Thursdays and Cheap Skate nights.
Don’t know how to skate? Don’t sweat it. Lessons are available for beginners who want to learn how to roll. More experienced skaters can sign up for sessions designed to help them refine their form.
Rollerland is open seven days a week, but Saturday draws the biggest crowds.
“We have hundreds of people coming and going,” says Bracey. “And with each passing month we see that customer base grow. This is our first location, and we’re planning to expand in the near future. We chose Stamford because it’s a diverse, supportive and growing community that we want to grow along with.”
For more information visit, rollerlandct.com.