Retro roller skating enthusiasts wondering if it was all just a dream back in March take heart: Lola Staar’s Dreamland Roller Rink is returning very soon.
Coney Island entrepreneur Diana Carlin told the Bay News this week that after many trials and travails the roller rink housed inside the historic Child’s building at West 21st Street and the boardwalk will be reopening on July 19 sometime around noon.
But that’s only the “soft” opening. According to Carlin — the multi-talented proprietor of the Lola Staar Souvenir Boutique on the boardwalk — the real grand opening will take place the following weekend with a blowout bash filled with music and Coney Island-themed photography and films projected onto the walls.
“I’ve had unbelievable adventures trying to open this rink,” Carlin laughed.
A few details still need to be worked out with the Department of Buildings, but when Lola Staar’s Dreamland Roller Rink is running at full tilt patrons will be able to skate the weekend away for the price of a $10 entrance fee.
Sessions will be held on Fridays seven to midnight, Saturdays noon to midnight and Sundays noon to seven.
Dreamland will stock retro-style quads for rental (bring your own skate key) but inline skaters are also encouraged to skate to the music.
DJ Julio will be spinning tons of house music and old-time disco for Dreamland’s return.
Carlin promises to keep the party going straight through to September with an “eclectic mix” of music and live bands.
The space inside the historic Child’s building has a capacity for 300 skaters.
Dreamland opened briefly back in March, but had to shut down again while Carlin took care of more red tape.
Brooklyn has been without a roller rink ever since the venerable Empire Roller Rink in Crown Heights closed its doors last year after well over a half-century in operation.
