GREEN TOWNSHIP, OH. (THECOUNT) — Devastated Cincinnati roller rink fans are taking to Facebook to talk about the sudden closing of popular Ohio rink, Western Rollarama, and to mourn the death of its founder, Larry Roell.
Ever since Roell opened the Cincinnati “western-themed” roller skating rink back in 1971, it was a hot spot for birthday parties, private events, and of course, those corny but loveable weekend “themed skate nights.”
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Western Rollarama closed its doors on Saturday, according to a Facebook post that has since been deleted, reports Fox19.
“Effective today, Western Rollarama is CLOSED. All afternoon skates, all evening skates and school parties are cancelled,” the Western Rollarama said in the deleted Facebook post. “Sad that a place that was built over 40 years ago, and ran by people who loved it was shut down. Any updates that come in will be posted. Thank you so much to everyone who supported the rink and loved it. We appreciate all of you and we are truly sorry this is the outcome. Again, please be aware this was not what ANYONE who worked at the rink wanted.”
Roell passed away in January and the fate of the rink remains in limbo.
On Facebook, fans of the rink shared memories and proposed ways to reopen the business:
To which the business replied, “Keep the love coming.”
Roell, “would have wanted this to stay open forever, but the problem is … it’s kind of up to the people who own it after you’re gone,” said Lisa Anderson, niece of founder Larry Roell, in an local interview.
“If the community is interested in this rink, hopefully they can find us a new owner,” Anderson told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “That would be the best thing.”
Developing.