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From local capacity restrictions to changing customer expectations, operating a family entertainment center during a global pandemic has been quite a challenge for many skating rink owners. 2020 has been a wild ride so far, and it can seem like the goal posts are moving every other day. As we all try to find our way forward in the “new normal” of COVID-19, these tips and ideas for skating rinks may be able to help. Keep reading to learn what’s important to customers these days and how to create memorable experiences at your skating rink. 

FEC/Skating Rink Tips to Keep Your Customers Coming Back

Safety & Cleanliness

Our customers have always relied on us to provide safe environments in which to celebrate, socialize, and have a blast. Skating rinks and family entertainment centers have a duty to uphold this expectation in our policies and operating procedures. These are just a start; what other safety and cleanliness tips do you have?

• Train staff on cleaning procedures, give them the supplies they need to do so properly, and let them know that you expect 100% cooperation. 
• Follow the guidance of the WHO, the CDC, and your local health department to stay up to date on the latest best practices for COVID-19 prevention. 
• Make it easy and intuitive for your customers to follow safety guidelines and requirements. Post signs at your entrance asking people to wear masks, wash their hands frequently, and maintain social distancing. Mark out social distancing spots in tape in areas where lines form, install plexiglass barricades between workers and guests, and make announcements reminding skaters to social distance and wear their masks properly.

Transparency 

While having a safety and cleanliness plan for COVID-19 is important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. In order to retain your customers’ trust, you must offer transparency and clear communication. The best ways to make your customers aware of the safety and cleanliness measures you have put in place are posting public signage and making the information readily accessible on your website. Consider putting a highly visible link on your home page or in your navigation menu directing visitors to a dedicated page outlining your safety protocols. You could even add a pop up modal to grab attention when they first visit your site. 

Professionalism

Professionalism is key when it comes to creating positive customer experiences, so teach your team what you expect and continue to mentor them in professional behavior. Remember that your new safety measures must be adhered to and enforced equally for all patrons and employees in order to be effective. Everyone on your team needs to be on board and committed even when you’re not there to keep an eye on them. 

With all of the tips above, you can make sure your customers and team are comfortable and able to do exactly what they’re meant to do at the skating rink: Have a blast!

INVENTORY NOTES

Supplies of many items remain pretty limited as we continue to deal with the Corona Virus.  Here are some updates on where we stand.

 

Fame – We did get in a shipment, but it was much smaller than what we really needed, so some sizes are out of stock again.  Here is a list of what is currently available:

Black – 10J, 11J, 12J, 13J, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

White – 12J, 13J, 1, 2, 3, 4

 

GTX500 – We are out of black size 7 and 10 and we are real low on black 6 and 8.  We do have the black with pink, black with green, or black with teal in each of those sizes, so those are good options to keep in mind.

Outdoor Wheels – We are out of most of the quad outdoor wheels.  We do have the Firefly wheels (they light up and include bearings) in stock.  We do have the Bones Bowl Bombers and the Sure-Grip Park wheels in stock.  Both of these are designed for ramp and park skating, but could be used for quad outdoor skating.

Sure-Grip is very close on a big shipment of quad outdoor wheels.  These were started once the Corona situation started impacting everything.  They did them in USA factories to speed up production, so it was a lot quicker than having them made in China.  Unfortunately, it also is a little more expensive, so this batch will have some price adjustments to them.  We’re not sure yet how many we’ll receive, but as soon as we have more details, we’ll let you know.

 

Deodorizer – We should be getting another batch of the shoe deodorizer in soon, possibly by July 24.  This disinfects as well as fights the odor.  The packaging doesn’t say this, but the company website confirms that it is effective against the Covid-19 germs.  We are also getting a new product from that same company that is designed to clean plastic surfaces and plexiglass.

Metal Skate Cases – We only have a few of these left in a few colors.  If your rink uses these, get them before they’re gone.  Green, olive, and yellow are still available.

We just received a good shipment of Fame skates from Sure-Grip.  We didn’t get as many as we were hoping for, but this did get us at least some of each size for the first time in several months.  We also have a small amount of outdoor Boardwalk wheels that we could put on some of these skates (for a slightly higher price).

 

To try to make sure everyone gets a chance at these, we are going to pull the skates in the following order. . .

 

First, we will pull the existing backorders.

 

Then we will pull new orders for existing customers with a limit of four pair per customer.  Hopefully this will let everyone have a chance to get at least a few.

 

Then, starting Monday July 6 we will release anything that is left over for larger orders.

There are many elements necessary to build a successful skating rink/family entertainment center, but one of the most crucial is the floor. That’s right, while it’s not the flashiest element of a skating rink (that would be the lighting system), the type of skating rink flooring you choose has a big impact on your customers. (Both figuratively and literally!)

To find out which one has our vote, keep reading as we delve into the differences between wood and concrete skating rinks. 

War of the Floors

While there are technically more than two types of skating rink flooring, most skaters agree that wood and concrete are far superior to the interlocking thermoplastic “court” style tiles that are sometimes used for skating. While those certainly have their place—for example, turning a gym or warehouse space into a roller derby track—they aren’t recommended for a permanent roller skating facility. Taking a tumble on a court type skating rink can be quite painful; sort of like going down a slide as a kid and getting a friction burn. Instead, you’re going to want to go with: 

Maple Hardwood

The gold standard in skating rink flooring is maple hardwood, which is what you’ll usually find at skating rinks that have been around a long time. While more expensive than concrete skating rinks, hardwood rinks offer many benefits, like: 

• Better grip/traction
• Durability (they can last as long as 50 years with proper maintenance!)
• Less painful when you wipe out
• Smoother surface finish
• Better humidity resistance
• Attractiveness

Concrete

While maple hardwood skating rinks take the cake, concrete rink floors are perfectly adequate and can offer a great skating experience with proper care. Concrete has its own pros and cons:

• It’s low cost
• Easy to install
• Slipperier, less grippy surface
• Some skaters enjoy the extra slipperiness as it makes spins and power skating easier than a wood rink

Concrete has to be poured very evenly to yield a proper skate surface, with no more than a quarter inch of variance. It requires specific cleaners in order to keep the finish in good condition, and obviously landing on concrete is going to hurt more than it would on wood because there’s no give whatsoever. 

Whatever type of skating rink flooring you choose, we’re here to help you bring your vision to life. Explore our wholesale skates and equipment, stock up on fun novelties for your redemption prize counter, and outfit your facility with everything it needs to stay safe and welcoming with rink equipment and signs. 

Good luck on your skating rink journey! For more information, contact us at info@seskate.com.

You’ve dusted the ceiling fan, washed the windows, cleaned the baseboards, and all of the other cleaning standbys … But have you given your roller skates any TLC? Don’t leave them out of the cleaning frenzy! Check out these tips to learn how (and why) to clean your roller skate wheels and bearings. 

Cleaning Skate Wheels and Bearings

First things first: Why?!

We get it, no one likes doing a chore if they don’t understand the point. However, the reason to routinely clean your skate bearings and wheels is pretty simple: It’ll keep you rolling! Regular cleaning is essential to getting the most life out of your bearings and wheels, which saves you money, not to mention allowing you to keep on doing what you love without the frustrations of blowouts, slow-spinning wheels, or ear-splitting grinding noises. Fortunately, cleaning skate bearings and wheels is super simple and won’t take you much time at all once you get in the habit. 

How to clean roller skate bearings and wheels, step-by-step

• First up, you’ll need to dismantle your skates, using a skate tool to remove the wheel and take the bearings out. Don’t use just any old piece of metal, because you could end up damaging the bearing casings. 
• Give your wheels a good scrub with warm water, mild dish soap or wheel cleaner, and a soft rag. Get in all the nooks and crannies to make sure there’s no dirt left behind to gunk up the works. (Warning: If your wheels have metal cores, don’t get them wet! You’ll want to just wipe them off so they don’t get rusty.)
• Remove the bearing covers and place your skate bearings into a small container (like a dedicated old tupperware bowl with a lid, or an empty prescription bottle) with a little bit of bearing cleaner solution. Now, to quote Andre 3000, “Shake ‘em like a Polaroid picture!”
• Once the bearings have had a nice, cleansing jostle, dry them on a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Ideally you should let them air dry for a while, but regardless, make sure they are 100% dry before you reassemble your wheels. 
• Once everything is clean and dry, drop a bit of lube onto each bearing and give them a spin. They should roll smoothly. 
• Replace the bearing covers and reassemble the wheels before putting them back on your skates. Ta da! You did it, and you’re ready to hit the skating rink again. 

If your bearings are worn out and don’t spin well, it may be time to replace them. Your local skating pro shop is always a great place to get advice on skating equipment and purchase whatever you need. We are proud to supply local skating rinks all over the country with high quality roller skates, skating equipment, and skating rink supplies!

Some areas have begun rolling back coronavirus restrictions and allowing businesses to re-open. While this is an exciting time for all of the family entertainment centers that are eagerly anticipating getting back to business, it can also be quite stressful to figure out the logistics of doing so. If you’re worried about how to re-open safely, you’re not alone! 

As a business owner, you should have a well-thought-out plan for when you do re-open your family entertainment center or roller skating rink. Fortunately, there are ways you can help protect the health of your employees and customers. Take a look at these things to consider before you re-open, and use them to create a detailed safety plan tailored for your unique FEC.

Tips for Safely Re-Opening FECs

• Keep the safety of your customers and staff a TOP PRIORITY in every decision. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.
• How are you going to sanitize your facility? Take into consideration all areas and surfaces that customers come into contact with—indoor playgrounds, ball pits, arcade games, lockers, rental skates, etc. Create a detailed plan of how often to sanitize, who will do it, and exactly which products and processes will be used. Make sure your staff is well-trained on these new procedures and that they have what they need to comply. 
• Implement social distancing and enforce it as much as possible. For instance, tape out 6-foot markers for areas that tend to draw lines or crowds, like the ticket booth, concessions stand, and skate rental counter. 
• Make social distancing possible by limiting crowds. Too many people in any confined space equals a recipe for infection, so keep the maximum capacity lower than you usually would.
• Provide face masks to employees and encourage customers to wear masks for entry.
• Try to limit contact as much as possible: Opt for pre-purchases for admission online, switch to touchless payment methods, and install plexiglass partitions between customers and employees where possible. (Again, think ticket window, concessions, skate rental, prize counter, etc.)
• Make hand sanitizing stations readily available.
• Communicate to your customers exactly how you plan to keep them safe! Use your social media channels, email newsletter, and other digital means to let customers know what you’re doing. Videos are great, but even just a simple Facebook post can give customers the confidence to trust that they can visit safely. Don’t forget to also utilize in-house signs to display cleanliness and safety policies. 
• Consider breaking up your day into capped skate sessions with a certain number of people allowed in each session, followed by 30 minutes in between sessions to allow for cleaning and sanitization. 

What are your main concerns as you prepare to re-open your business during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic? We’d love to hear from you about how you’re tackling these new challenges at your skating rink or FEC.

With several weeks of closures underway and, at least in some areas, no end in sight, it’s a stressful time to be a business owner… Especially in the family entertainment industry. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just know that you’re not alone. 

We always strive to be a resource for skating rink owners, so today, instead of telling you about the latest skate releases or skating rink marketing ideas, we’d like to share some ways to de-stress at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully these ideas can help you find some calm during this stressful time. 

Tips for Business Owners: How to De-Stress During the Pandemic

If you’ve been watching the news or browsing social media (and what else is there to do right now?) you’ve probably seen stories of all the people who are baking bread, making fancy coffee, and going viral with TikTok dances. It can seem as though everyone is posting videos of themselves working out, finishing projects, learning new skills, or having picture-perfect quarantine fun with their kids. But for everyone who is publically thriving, just know that there are many others who are struggling. 

It’s normal for your feelings about the situation to change minute to minute, and you don’t have to always be “OK.” In fact, according to licensed mental health counselor Aleya Littleton, it’s not just OK, it’s actually downright necessary to allow yourself to feel your feelings during this time.  Says Littleton, “Don’t judge yourself for wanting to burn it all and run away. Just feel it. The emotions will all peak and subside.” Practicing mindfulness can make a big difference at times like this, so check out these mindfulness and stress relief tips and see what works for you.

Experience nature.

Whether you’re able to go to a local park for a walk or just get out into your backyard, take some time (ideally each day) to get outside in nature. Don’t distract yourself with music or your phone; just be present. Notice details like the shapes of the clouds, the smell of the air, the buzz of bees around flowers, the feel of the sun and breeze on your skin. According to a recent study published in Science Daily, just 20 minutes spent in contact with nature can lower your stress hormone levels.

Do a body scan.

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting a costly visit to your doctor. This type of body scan is simply a mindfulness meditation technique to help you feel more grounded and present in your body. If you have 8 minutes, try this body scan meditation and see how you feel.  

Breathe. 

Another important mindfulness practice that can help you decrease stress is deep breathing. There are lots of resources available online to help you learn breathing exercises for focus and stress relief. This WebMD article is a good place to start, or if you prefer visualization, check out these calming breathing gifs. 

We hope these tips help while we wait for the world to return to normal. Hang in there and remember to breathe!

We realize that this is a difficult time for most of our customers, but we do want to let everyone know where we stand in case you have questions.

Some of you are working on maintenance or repair projects in your rink:

Roll-On – Right now they have a good supply of all of their floor coatings and are shipping fairly quickly.

Shoe Deodorizer – We received a new shipment of the shoe deodorizer that many rinks use.  This
product has been certified to kill the Corona Virus.  This isn’t on the packaging, they didn’t get
certification early enough, but it is on their website.  We have some in stock, but not a lot, so we
are currently limiting rinks to one case per order, to help make sure everyone gets a shot.

Scenturion Deodorizer – All three sizes are now in stock.

Some customers are doing curbside skate sales.  We have outdoor inline skates in stock (although the selection is getting pretty limited) and we have quad outdoor wheels in stock.  We can ship these to your rink or we could ship straight to your customer’s house.

This is the time of the year when traditionally the skate manufacturers would start to release info on new products that are coming out.  The Corona situation and the rescheduling of the RSA Convention has put a delay on that, at least for now.  As soon as we do have more product information we’ll share it with everyone.

The annual tradeshow that we host has a tentative date of October 5 and 6.  Obviously things are very tentative at this stage.  But if the Corona Virus situation improves, if it is safe and practical to host an event at that point, then October 5 and 6 are what we’re hoping for.  So mark your calendars, but don’t buy a plane ticket yet.

Skating rinks across the country are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and skaters are missing their usual outlet for the community, socializing, exercise, and stress-relief that roller skating provides. While we all hope that rinks will be able to safely reopen soon, you don’t have to wait to skate! With a few tweaks to your gear and some tips from your friends at Southeastern Skate Supply, you’ll be ready to add outdoor skating to your list of quaran-tivities. 

Outdoor Skating 101: What to Know

Change your wheels.

Got a pair of roller skates? If so, you’re already on your way! You can use the same skates to skate indoors and outdoors, but you’ll need to change your skate wheels before you can hit the streets (or driveway, path, etc.). 

Outdoor skate wheels are typically wider and softer than indoor skate wheels, allowing your wheels to absorb shock from uneven surfaces like sidewalks. While that shock absorption is not important (and can even be detrimental) on a smooth, well-maintained indoor skating rink, it’s extremely important when you’re skating “out in the wild” and might encounter cracks, bumps, plant debris, or pebbles. 

If you own a skating rink and are looking for ways to continue generating revenue during the pandemic shutdown, let your customers know that you can still sell them outdoor skate wheels and other equipment to help them get started skating outside. We have a great selection of skate wheels available for wholesale purchase by FECs. 

Protect yourself with safety gear.

Skating outside is a little more hazardous than skating at an indoor skating rink, and the surfaces you’ll encounter if you fall down will probably hurt more than the smooth rink floor, too. Protect yourself from rough concrete and pavement, not to mention possible accidents, by wearing a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. 

Remember the rules. 

While the prospect of getting out of the house probably fills you with joy (we’re with you), don’t forget the usual safety rules for outdoor activities, as well as the current guidelines for social distancing and any other directives from the CDC, WHO, or local health department.

As a skating rink or FEC owner, this is an incredibly challenging time, but it is heartening to see the ways communities are coming together to support local businesses. It’s important to let your community know that you’re still here, you have services to offer, and you need their support. 

Use your social media, local news sites or publications, and any other marketing avenue at your disposal to let customers know that you can help them get the outdoor skating equipment they need to stay active! Facilitate online and/or over the phone ordering, and offer curbside pickup or shipping. And don’t forget to look around at what your fellow FECs are doing for inspiration, like these awesome “to-go” birthday party packages. 

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, businesses all over the country are closed and small business owners are wondering how to keep the lights on during these uncertain times. If you own an FEC (family entertainment center), you are likely in this position as well. Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected by COVID-19, from the patients and medical professionals to small businesses and employees who are being furloughed. 

While this pandemic poses a major challenge to the family entertainment industry, it is also providing an opportunity for FECs to get creative and diversify their revenue streams. If your customers have the means right now, many are willing to help out the local businesses that they know and love. Keep reading to learn how to generate revenue without foot traffic. 

Ways to Generate Revenue During COVID-19 Pandemic Closures

Offer Takeout or Delivery Food Service

If you have a kitchen that can produce pizza, sandwiches, and other entrees, put it to use for food delivery or curbside pickup. This is a great way to not only generate some revenue while you’re closed, but also to provide your employees with some working hours, no matter how limited they may be.

Encourage Online Sales

If you’re not already on the e-commerce train, it’s time to catch up! While you’re closed for the pandemic, get your online pro shop up and running so you can sell skates, equipment, and accessories to your customers. 

You should also be encouraging your supporters to purchase gift cards, deals, or promotions for future use once you’re able to re-open. Many folks are looking for ways to support local businesses, but they are being bombarded by a huge number of appeals. In order to get their attention and their dollars, make sure that you’re delivering your very best when it comes to social media content. Use your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, (and maybe even TikTok) accounts to engage with them and foster a sense of community. 

Sell Birthday Party Fun Packs

Social distancing is hard for all of us, but it’s a real bummer for kids who don’t understand why their birthday parties are cancelled! Fortunately the birthday fun doesn’t have to stop just because of social distancing. Bill Farley, of Cary, North Carolina skating rink Jellybeans has done a fantastic job of this, basically condensing a party package into a “to-go” format. 

These Party Packs include frozen pizzas, place settings, party decorations, and everything you need for a celebration at home with your quarantine crew. Plus, they even throw in a roll of toilet paper! 

Not only are these party packs a fun idea for families dealing with isolation, but they also give you an opportunity to keep your brand top-of-mind among your customers. Now is not the time to slack on your digital marketing efforts—you want people ready and excited to visit your FEC as soon as it’s safe (and legal) to open your doors again.  

Rethink How You Sell Skate Passes

Put your downtime to good use by creating (or refining) a plan for your skate sessions. Online sales aren’t just great for revenue right now, they’re also a clever way to limit person-to-person contact when you reopen. Work on setting up an e-comm option for skate passes and plan to keep using it once doors reopen. Market your new, contact-free way to purchase passes now, so your customers feel confident choosing you when they begin revisiting facilities. To maximize profits now and later, take some time to plan how you’ll run skating sessions–from guest caps to weekly specials to keep things fun–when the world goes back offline.

If there are tasks you’ve been putting off, like cleaning up your email database, compiling lists of local organizations to reach out to, or submitting your business to local directories, blogs, and listings, this is your chance to check off all of those “to-do’s.”

We hope some of these ideas for ways to generate revenue without foot traffic were helpful! Be safe, and good luck!