Before 9 p.m. Saturday, crowds of people lined a parking lot across from a Sonic Drive-In, making their way to a large white building in the suburban Tottenville neighborhood of Staten Island. It was a cold May night, but emotions were running high as one rink, Roller Jam USA, hosted its final night of skating.
Patrons swapped shoes for skates as some found seats in the corners of the packed benches, while others leaned against lockers, lacing up carefully. Some skaters took short steps toward the rink, shaking their hands for balance, while others grabbed the bar.
“When I knew it was the last night, I had to come,” said Keishonda Crews of New Jersey, who grew up at the rink.
He recalled: “Someone pulled me down here a few years ago, and I twisted my tail. I’ve fallen a lot, but that’s part of it. Everyone falls.”
In its 17 years of operation, Roller Jam USA has had its pitfalls, but it has also shown resilience. In 2012, the rink was renovated after Hurricane Sandy, and the pandemic forced a temporary shutdown in 2020. After the rink reopened in 2021, it was at a reduced capacity.
But ultimately the reason for the closing would be more typical: a rent increase at a lease renewal. Joe Costa, the owner, shared the news in Instagram videos last month, surprising many of his longtime customers.
“The amount of rent I had to pay to renew the lease was just an amount that was financially impossible,” Mr. Costas said in an interview.
Roller Jam USA first opened in July 2007 after Mr. Costa and his brother Tommy had already seen some success operating tanning salons throughout Staten Island. The brothers wanted to start a business that could bring families and people of all ages together. Tommy would eventually continue working in real estate, leaving Mr. Costa, his wife and their three children to run the rink.
On its final night, three large disco balls floated above the rink, while the playlist offered funk, disco, new wave and R&B.
“There was this fun I had growing up and incredible memories of skating as a teenager,” Mr Costa, 60, said. “I wanted to do something for the kids on Staten Island and give them a place where they can actually communicate and not just on their phones.”
Roller Jam USA opened just as two longtime New York rinks closed for good: the Roxy in Manhattan and Empire Skates in Brooklyn. New York now has pop-up rinks like DiscOasis and Showfields, as well as overseas Pier 2 Roller Rink in Brooklyn.
But the Staten Island facility was the only skating rink in the city all year, and judging by the crowd the night it closed, a lot of people would feel the loss.
Mr. Costa made sure customers found their perfect skates. He’s only taken off 10 weekends in the 17 years he’s been in business, he said, and he lives less than a six-minute drive from the rink. He’s not sure what’s next, but he’s happy with what they’ve been able to create over the years.
“I appreciate every single person who has walked through our doors,” Mr. Costa said. “Every single one of them is like family and my job was to make sure they had an amazing time for the love of skating.”
For four young women who met through the New York roller-skating scene over the years, Roller Jam USA was more than just a fun night out, it was a place to build community.
“It’s going to be sad to leave this,” said Melody Olivera, 31, as she put her hands on her friends’ shoulders in the middle of the rink. “It’s places like these that help create lifelong friendships between different backgrounds, ages, religions and everything.”
David Hunter, 55
Employee at a pizzeria and party rental business
How would you describe your skating style?
I’m a free skater. I do some figure skating, jam skating, shuffle skating, and I mix it up.
What do you remember about roller-skating rink culture when you were younger?
Face-to-face socializing where you meet people. I can say hello to many people and they know me, or we don’t know our names. It’s just the style of this community.
Emmanuel Rollins, 32
Amazon distributor
Where are you from?
I actually lived here when I was younger. I moved about three years ago. Especially as a kid who would have a lot of problems, I would come here a lot and just feel the freedom. It’s a relief and a place to do something good.
Did you travel from Las Vegas just for tonight?
I bought a last minute ticket to be here for three days. It’s the last night I was supposed to be here.
What’s your favorite song to skate to?
Any James Brown song because he’s the father of soul and I feel like I have a lot of soul, especially when I’m skating.
Juliana Binner, 18, and Justin Ziegler, 21
He works in a car garage. he works for a piping company
Do you guys come here a lot?
JZ: No, this is actually our first and last night here.
JB: It’s the last night they’re open and we couldn’t miss it.
What does being the first and the last time mean to you?
JZ: It feels special, and I think it will make this date memorable. And we like to roller-skate as many opportunities as we can.
Is there a song you like to skate to?
JB: “Get Down” by DJ Quik.
JZ: Yeah, that’s the vibe.
Janet McGilligan 55
estate agent
Have you come to Roller Jam USA a lot?
Yes I started in 2007 when they opened but I moved to Florida in 2015 but I always come back and visit here. Skating here allowed me to be my authentic self.
What does this closure mean to you?
It’s heartbreaking. This is where people come and they can express themselves and enjoy an atmosphere that is not in the real world, which is so heavy. These places are needed because so many people are stuck indoors and on their phones and Covid has made people afraid to go out.
Evan Runfola, 25
Construction worker
How did you get into skating?
My dad and mom both did it when they were young, and then my dad used to work at a rink in Brick, NJ and he would take me.
Would you come here a lot?
Oh yes, every Saturday night. I actually used to work here too. I was working the floor and getting paid to skate. It’s home.