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This has certainly been a trying time for the skating world.  Most rinks are closed, and we realize that many of our customers are struggling right now.  We do want to try to keep everyone informed on what’s going on here, and what we can do to try to help.  Because things are so uncertain right now, any dates are even more subject to change than they typically would be.

We have been out of the basic shoe deodorizer for some time now.  Obviously, their factory has been slammed. We did get more of the Scenturion spray in and all three sizes of that are currently available.  The factory that makes our basic deodorizer has informed us that they have a small shipment coming to us soon.  This is a slightly different version than what we’ve had in the past.  The newer product will go down a little wetter than the older version due to environmental rule changes.  The good news is that this new version has been certified effective against the Corona Virus.  This is NOT on the packaging, they didn’t get certified in time, but it is on their website and they have the paperwork to back it up.  We will be getting a small shipment (supplies are still very limited) about April 10.  Because this is in high demand and we’re only getting a small portion of what we ordered, we are limiting customers to one case.  Hopefully we’ll get a full shipment soon, but for now we’re limiting orders to one case per customer.

A lot of rinks are using this time to work on their skate floors.  Roll-On had been out of stock on some of their coatings, but we talked to them and the Roll-On Clear and Blue are both back in stock.  Traction is out of stock now, but they should be back in stock on that in two weeks (approximately April 15).

The RSA Convention was pushed back to August due to the Corona situation.  This has traditionally been the season when we would start to see new products that are coming out soon.  The timing of everything is very much up in the air right now.  We will do our best to use the internet (email, facebook, twitter, etc.) to keep you informed of new info as it becomes available.  We know of a new budget rental skate that looks exciting as well as several resale skates that should become available in the fall.

We saw this idea from Bill Farley at Jellybeans in Cary NC and thought it was a winner.  A lot of rinks are looking for ways to stay busy during the Corona Virus and this seems like a good one.  Also, we saw it one day after our son’s tenth birthday, so maybe it hit close to home.  Anyway, Bill says we’re free to share it with others, so we thought we would.  We’ve copied his idea below, obviously you’d be free to adjust as necessary.

If your rink is doing something different during the quarantines, please feel free to post your ideas in the comment section to this post on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/southeasternskate/) and we’ll try to help each other with winning ideas during difficult times.

 

Birthday parties still happen even with the new normal of social distancing. Jellybeans is here to help you celebrate with this one stop solution and a great value. Call us at 919-467-5283 M-F from 10-1PM to purchase with a credit card over the phone and schedule pick-up same day from 1-3PM (no contact for payment or pick-up).

You’re rolling along, wind in your hair, not a care in the world. And then: OUCH! There’s something wrong with your foot. It’s time to take off your skate and see what’s causing that pain. Just like any other type of footwear, it’s possible to get blisters or other painful foot issues from roller skates, usually due to improper fit. If you notice any pain while roller skating, check out these tips to help you identify the problem. (And since we’re not doctors, please consult yours if you experience pain that can’t be solved with any of these quick fixes!) 

How to Prevent Pain or Blisters from Roller Skating

If you’ve ever broken in a new pair of shoes or gotten your feet wet while running, you’ve probably experienced the pain of a blister. While small and relatively harmless if treated properly, they can really hurt, taking a lot of the fun out of skating. 

Make sure you’re wearing well-fitted skates.

Wearing improperly sized skates is just begging for blisters. If your skates are too big, they’ll slide all around your foot, causing friction. If they’re too small, they’ll rub all of the areas where they’re too tight. The best way to find your perfectly sized skates is to visit your local skating rink’s pro shop for guidance. 

Step up your sock game.

One of the easiest ways to manage foot pain from roller skating is to wear good socks. You can either wear a thick pair of socks, or if needed, layer two pairs. This will add a layer of padding that should help to mitigate the friction causing your blisters. Be sure to choose moisture-wicking, breathable socks to keep your feet as dry as possible!

Develop a thick (mole)skin.

Moleskin is sold in sheets at pharmacies, and is invaluable when it comes to banishing blisters. You can cut a shape to fit over the part of your skate boot that is chafing, and the soft moleskin fabric will pad and protect the area. Plus, once you try it, you’ll want to use it on all of your less-than-comfortable shoes, from leather dress shoes to formal heels. 

Break your skates in slowly. 

Another common malady for skaters is tongue bite or lace bite. There are a couple of main causes of lace bite, and one is skating for a long time after a period of not skating, or skating in new skates for a long time without working up to it and breaking them in. To avoid it, wear your skates around your house for a little while each day, working up from a few minutes to half an hour or more. When you skate, warm up with your new skates, then switch back to your older pair for the rest of the session. 

Lace your skates differently.

The other cause of lace bite is tight or improper lacing of the skate boot, which puts excessive pressure on the top of the foot and can cause pain and soreness. This is an easy fix, as all you need to do is re-lace your skates! There are several lacing techniques to prevent lace bite, so see which one works for you. 

Hopefully one or more of these tricks can help you solve your skating problem and get back on a roll. Happy skating!

Obviously, these are trying times for our industry.  As I write this, many rinks are shut down.  Some have had to lay off employees.  Some are still open, but uncertain for how much longer.  I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that our industry has not seen anything like this since at least the World War II era.

 

We want to be as transparent as possible so that we can help keep you as informed as possible.  Hopefully you understand that all of this can change very quickly, all dates are to the best of our knowledge.  But here is where we stand right now on a few different items that have been impacted.

 

SHOE DEODORIZER – We are out of stock on the basic shoe deodorizer.  The factory is estimating that they can get us more in May.  This next shipment will be a little wetter than the previous versions due to changing environmental rules.

 

We do have the Scenturion deodorizer.  This comes in three sizes:  four ounce, pints, or gallons.  Each size is in stock now, and more should be arriving any day now.

 

ROLL-ON – With many rinks closed, a lot of them are taking this time to recoat their floors.  So we’ve had a rush on orders.  Right now, the factory is out of the traditional clear and blue Roll On.  They do have the clear Traction Coating product in stock.  They’re expecting another shipment of the traditional Roll On by March 25.  But after that, there might be delays.  The factory that makes Roll On also makes hand sanitizer lotion and that part of their business is extremely swamped right now.

 

VANILLA JUNIOR – The new Silver Junior is in stock now and doing great.  We are out of stock of many sizes of the other versions of the Junior.  Shipments from China have definitely been impacted.  They’re currently expecting more of the Junior skates by May 1, but that is certainly not guaranteed at this point.

 

PRODUCT LAUNCHES – We are starting to see previews of some upcoming new products.  Many vendors will show new skates at the annual RSA show, it is hard to say at this point if the current events will mess with those schedules or not, or even if the dates for the convention might need to be adjusted.  We’ve seen early pictures of a new budget rental skate that looked great, as well as several other new models that are being considered.  As soon as we know more about these, we’ll let everyone know.

Normally this would be the season for spring cleaning, but with the global COVID-19 pandemic, nothing is normal. More and more communities throughout the U.S. are being forced to undergo lockdowns, quarantines, shelter-in-place, or social distancing, and it’s taking a toll not only on individuals, but also on small businesses like those in the Family Entertainment Industry. Many skating rinks and other FECs are closed until further notice, and our hearts go out to them and their employees.
While we all hope for swift reopenings, there are some things you can do to make use of the hiatus and ensure that you are 100% prepared to welcome guests back when the time comes. If you’re able, consider working on these spring cleaning ideas for skating rinks. 

Skating Rink Refresh Ideas

Clean, evaluate, and if needed, update equipment. 

Take advantage of the isolation to deep clean your facility. As you go, evaluate your equipment and fixtures, from rental skates to party tables, arcade games to indoor playground equipment. Write down any items that need repairs or replacement so you can add them to your to-do list or long term planning. 

Discover new music to add to your playlists.

Good music can get you through almost anything in life, so head to YouTube, Bandcamp, or Spotify and look for some great new (or new to you) music to add to your playlists. Consider making some special themed mixes for different holidays or seasons. 

Evaluate your pro shop sales.

Do you need to re-stock anything in your pro shop? Which skates are your top sellers? Consider which types of roller skates you need to order and any accessories you can stock as an upsell item. 

Give your redemption counter a makeover.

How long has it been since you’ve cleaned and organized your prize counter? With so many small odds and ends, it’s a good idea to give your redemption counter a deep cleaning, followed by inventorying the contents. Make note of anything that you need to order from our sister site, Super Cool Stuff.   

Audit your concessions program.

This is also a good time to evaluate your concession sales and see where you need to make changes. Remember, customers love novelty, so consider adding a new menu item. You can even update existing menu items, like offering new pizza toppings or offering more dipping sauces to go with the fries and chicken tenders. 

Brainstorm new events and promotion ideas. 

When it’s safe to reopen and people are able to leave their homes, there are going to be a lot of people who can’t WAIT to go out and reunite with their friends. Make sure you’re ready to come back with a bang by brainstorming new events and promotions to catch their attention and encourage them to make up for lost time by hanging out with friends or hosting a party. 

How are you using this unexpected downtime? We wish you all the best of luck in getting through this period and hope to see the fun times rolling again soon.

As you’re all aware, this has been an unprecedented time for anyone trying to keep up with the news about COVID-19 aka The Corona Virus.  We want to be as upfront as possible as where we stand on cleaning supplies and how we can help.

We are running very low on our standard shoe deodorizer product.  As we write this, we have a few cases left, but those will probably be gone by Monday morning.  If you need any, get your orders in as quickly as possible.  To try to be fair to everyone, we are limiting the quantity available to two cases per rink.  Even with this limit, these won’t last long.

We also have some of the newer Scenturion deodorizer in stock.  These come in three different sizes (4 ounce, pint, and gallon) and all three sizes are still available at the moment, but that will probably change very quickly.

We are trying to get more.  The basic shoe deodorizer is going to be hard, as that exact same product is no longer available due to changing EPA rules.  We are working on a replacement product, but they’re warning us that this doesn’t come out quite as dry as the one we’ve been selling.  Dry is better for inside a skate, but right now we’re not in a position to be too picky.  We are going to try to get what we can as quickly as possible, but obviously the factories are behind.  As soon as we know more, we will let you know.

Birthday parties are a major source of income for most Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), but creating a successful party program is easier said than done. How can you throw the best birthday parties in town, help families make special memories, and keep it all profitable? Well, you might be surprised at just how easy it can be to upgrade your parties from so-so to sold out. Keep reading for some FEC birthday party tips that both you and your customers can appreciate. 

How to Host Better Birthday Parties at Your FEC

Optimize events.

The best birthday parties are not too short and not too long. You don’t want parents to feel that the event is rushed and they’re just being churned through an assembly line, but you also want to keep it down to an amount of time that allows the party to end on a high note, before the sugar high wears off and kids (or parents) start getting cranky.  

Two hours is a good standard timeframe for most birthday parties. Ensure that the event stays on track the whole time by creating an agenda your birthday hosts can stick to for every moment from start to finish. Empty time with no structure is often when things get chaotic, kids get bored, and parents become dissatisfied with the party experience. 

Create connections. 

As you’ll see with many of these tips, creating connections is something that can improve your birthday parties without adding cost. Think about the best parties you’ve attended; it probably isn’t themed paper goods or elaborate decorations that make it stand out in your memory, but rather the energy of the group of people you were celebrating with. 

One of the best ways to do this is to incorporate ice breaker games into the agenda of party activities. Birthday parties often bring together family members, neighbors, and friends from school, sports, clubs, or church. Get everyone comfortable together by tossing a ball or plush toy from person to person. Have them say their name and something about themselves when it’s their turn to catch. You can make it easier and more fun by tailoring this to the theme of the party; for instance, have the kids say their favorite superhero, princess, animal, etc.  

Train your team.

Party hosts are a standard part of the birthday party experience at most FECs, so it’s crucial to have your hosts on their A game at all times. Ensure they’re prepared for success by giving them plenty of training, guidance, and support. You can do this in several ways: 

• Make sure they understand the importance and responsibility of being the guide for their party groups—they have the power to make memories that will last a lifetime!
• Don’t expect them to reinvent the wheel. You should have a standard party agenda with times and processes that they know by heart. 
• Consider scheduling an assistant or runner who checks in on each in-progress party to deliver food, bring in props, etc. so the host can stay in the room and keep things on track.
• Hire hosts that are friendly, outgoing, and personable, while remaining focused and in-control of the room.  

Use “Imagi-theming.”

Speaking of training your team, teaching them this strategy is one of the most powerful things you can do to create memorable birthday parties at your FEC. According to party expert Frank Price speaking to Funovation, 

Tangible themes – plates, napkins, wall decorations – “those are for the parents.” … The most effective theming with kids, he argues, is imagination-based theming, something he dubs imagi-theming; “When a party host lines a princess-themed party group, they ask each person to get up and do their princess twirl and curtsey as they get in line.” Or a teenage mutant ninja turtle-themed party uses the theme song in musical chairs, and losers are sent back to Splinter to train their Ninjutsu skills on the sidelines. “This imagination-based theming offers higher memorable value than the tangible themes will,” Frank emphasizes. The best part? It doesn’t cost your venue anything extra!

If you’re trying to build a successful birthday party program at your skating rink or FEC, we’re here to help! Check out our

Vanilla Updates

 

The Vanilla V-Line and Godfather boots are both in stock now.  They’re shown in our catalog with several different packages.

 

The newest version of the Junior skates just arrived.  These are silver with red.  The silver side panels are easily scratchable, under the silver is a red base, so once the silver scratches you can see the red underneath.  Skaters can use this to create their own designs on the side panels.

 

We are currently out of stock on several colors and sizes of their existing Junior models.  More are coming, hopefully in late March or early April.  It is hard to know a definite date at this point as the Chinese New Year and the Coronavirus have slowed things down a bit, but as soon as we know more we’ll let everyone know.

 

Wheel Washers

The wheel washer machines are temporarily sold out, but more should be in stock soon.  They had a small price increase.  These machines are a great way to keep your rental fleet clean, and some rinks use them to clean customer skates for a small fee.

Looking for ways to increase revenue at your family entertainment center (FEC), excite existing customers, get new people through the door, and optimize the use of your facility? Adding a small attraction to your skating rink might be just what you need to take your business to the next level. The right small attraction can produce $400,000 or more annually, allowing you to convert unused square footage into revenue-earning space. Sound good? Check out these tips to help you decide which small attractions are right for your FEC. 

Adding Excitement to FECs with Small Attractions

Your first step should be evaluating where to add your attraction and how much space you have to work with. Are there any “dead” areas around your facility that don’t have any way to engage customers? Look for places where people wait for their kids/dates/etc.—outside your laser tag arena, near the lockers, or by the redemption counter. By placing  a small attraction in one of these locations, you’re making full use of the square footage you’re paying rent on, and you can keep people waiting for other attractions happy by giving them something to do. Happier customers will stay longer and spend more money. Mission accomplished! 

How to Choose an Attraction for Your Skating Rink

• Make sure you have room. Choose an attraction that requires under 1200 square feet. Between 600 and 1200 square feet is ideal. The attraction should be located in what is currently “
• Do your homework. Ask the attraction vendor for proof of ROI (return on investment). They should be able to show that the attraction provides a return in under 18 months. 
• Know your competition. What attractions are offered by other FECs in your area? How do they make use of their space? Which attractions are drawing the biggest crowds? 
• Choose an attraction that provides an experience customers can only get at your FEC. Don’t try to compete with in-home entertainment options—your attraction should be bold, enticing, and novel. VR (virtual reality) experiences like “roller coasters” and cooperative arena games are hot right now and can fit in surprisingly small areas. 
• Ask your customers what they want to see! Your customers are a great source of information, and who doesn’t love sharing their opinion? Get them to help you decide via a poll on social media, a voting box at your cashier desk, or a contest . For instance, you could post a photo of each attraction and whichever one gets shared the most is the winner. 

Whatever you choose to do, remember that Southeastern Skate Supply is here to help with the Roller Skating Business Resource Manual, rink equipment, and novelties you need to succeed.

Roll-On has new prices for most of their product line.  These will replace the prices in our current price list.

Kemistry is a new line of inline wheels from Roller Derby.  They’re starting to come in, here is what we have so far:

Grippium – 72mm, 76mm, or 80mm.  Yellow (extra soft) or orange (soft).  Hockey.

Cyclonium – 76mm or 80mm.  Yellow (78A soft).  Hockey.

Momentum – 110mm (125mm coming soon).  Ourdoor race.