Top two Google Map. 2009 followed by 2013. They had a new sign as you can see. And the colors were popular in 200s and early 2010s. Blue and White were the colors of those years for anywhere. well, the building looks more professionally designed for a rink. My question though is what is that on the right side with 5 narrow windows with pairs of doors that side for? What was it? Looks like it was not part of the rink because I never seen a sign on those two photos.
A fan took that picture. This is present day look for now called Bristol Skateway, which is, clearly named after Bristol Speedway, a NASCAR race track. This appearance is the Graying of America Era colors. Again, trendy colors that it will be gone by 2030.
Courtesy of Bristol Skate Inn Facebook fan group. This is what the old Skate Inn looked like with Concrete floor, Oddly un-matching colors.
Three above courtesy of Bristol Skate Inn Fan Group. Um.. the eating area colors reminded me of.. two colleges having those colors. Of course, one of from Syracuse, NY and the other from Illinois. And this is in TN? Did we miss another college with the same colors?
From Bristol Skateway website. Now, real gorgeous floor and look. The Central American Royal Blue base with Snow White top part. The back wall where the rink is, they have the same colors as many other rinks colors I have profiled that they are closed. All exactly the same colors. Are they pipes I see on the colorful walls back there? It looks pretty odd for that. Next photo showed in night club feel. Wow! Big improvement over the old! Hey Ladies, wanna skate with me there?
Skate Fun of Bristol 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN
The Skate Inn 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN aka
Bristol Skate Inn 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN aka
Skate Inn of Bristol 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN
Bristol Skateway 210 Skateway Drive, Bristol, TN (Current)
The Skate Inn 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN aka
Bristol Skate Inn 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN aka
Skate Inn of Bristol 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, TN
Bristol Skateway 210 Skateway Drive, Bristol, TN (Current)
The Skate Inn or known as Bristol Skate Inn was on 210 K Mart Drive, Bristol, Tennessee. This rink had really interesting story to tell. Really something to say. A former skating magazine editor who helped me with many rinks she has been to or know of... told me today about this rink that really will interest you that if you are presently a true crime story fan on TV or streaming. This is more of your liking.
Sure we heard about some rinks had some crimes connected like violence/fighting, predators, and even a rink operator's twin brother scamming money out to go to a casino to spend it all. This one deals different crime.
This is what a person told me about this rink today --
In Bristol, TN, the Skate Inn shut down about a decade ago when the owner skipped town and abandoned the place. It was ready for demolition when a Florida couple with major rink experience bought it on the courthouse steps (likely the rink was seized by either the town, county, or state for failure of collection on taxes-either sales or property which is common with businesses failing to pay or seizure by bank and sold for bankruptcy auction ordered by the court), totally renovated the place, installing a beautiful maple floor, and rebranded it the Bristol Skateway (a play on the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway) [I figured that out since I know NASCAR races there]. They've been opened for 2.5 years to much fanfare and in my opinion, one of the Top 5 rinks in the country for how it's run, it's cleanliness, how they entertain skaters, and the fact that they cater to skaters. They have no mini-golf, laser tag, climbing walls, or any of that other crap you find in today's "family entertainment centers." They have lots of before and after photos of the work. They are located at 210 Skateway Drive in Bristol, on the Tennessee side.
-- (Emailed me on January 8, 2021.)
Well, quite interesting story about the guy who run off. Must be he was already in legal trouble which caused the shut down. Seen this happened even to a bar in my hometown. Same situation, shut down and seized and sold. It is now another restaurant or a bar now. This means around 2010ish.
But listening to the video and watching on WJHI 11, there is a conflict.
Both WJHI and WCYB said both of their rinks closed in January 2017 and new owners took over and started to renovate in 2018. Took them a while to get it up and running again. So, around late 2018, it was reopened as Bristol Skateway.
The Skate Inn was operational for 41 years. Opened in 1975 as Skate Fun of Bristol. The name changed along the way likely in 1990s.
The new group of owners that bought the rink was a team of 5 investors lead by this couple and the sister. Gary Easmunt, and his wife Deborah bought it and rest were family co-owns it including Gary's sister, Patti Enstrom.
The building was built in 1974-75. It has 27,600 Square Feet which is on the bigger facility side. From what I see, it is excellent size for this size rink. Well balanced even with the renovation which made it much more comfortable and with ease. The layout is this, when you come in, the door on the left side corner of the building then as you go in, you turn and face toward rink, you see on the right side is snack bar, eating area, bathrooms, lockers, etc. But in the middle row is rest areas then on the left or the rear of the building, that is the rink floor. It is kind of like rows in that place. I never seen a rink that has rows like that. Usually sections. But this is row "sections" you can choose to do. I like that. Very original by the original owner(s) of Skate Inn to come up with that lasted this long right up to the Bristol Skateway today. Skating experts seemly to certified Bristol Skateway one of the cleanest, best, newest, nicest, there is. From my view in the photos, I give those experts approval to agree that it is the one of the best. Top 5.
No wonder it is on the top 5! They are award winning rink after all according to them on Facebook.
The Interior.
At the time of closing it was very basic 1980s-90s look with 2000s carpet. It was Concrete when it was The Skate Inn. The carpet at the time of closing was carpetiles. However, of course, before that, carpet. I do not have much older appearance.
The walls at the closing time in 2017, it was mainly four colors. Blue at the base of the wall followed by Red, then Yellow, and Light Violet. They had wide flattened diamonds on the wall with both colors of Red and Yellow. and stripes a little bit.
The lockers I see in video really divided between the rink and side wall It did appear pretty big rink floor. And the colors really made it appeared spacious but a mix mood I felt when seeing those interior at the time.
It was abandoned for a while because of the owner skipped town and selling and taking time to purchase it and renovate, it did have tiles fallen, water puddles on the rink, spray paints here or there by trespassers and swatters.
The renovation into Bristol Speedway brought really neat look. They installed beautiful maple floor, excellent appearance and they were ranked top 5 in nation according to S. G. The reason is that they keep good care of it, clean, and really focus on roller skating rather than add all other recreation or amusements that you would find in "family entertainment center" out there. This is core that you would find as a rink. With their so much experience in roller skating, they were able to make this rink come back very successful in just 2.5 years. Good job owners!
The sections I spoke of is before the Interior section above.
The interior walls now are very Central American look that was popular in this country in 1990s. Royal Blue base with White top half on walls. The carpetiles are very professional looking Conservative floor look. Pretty much Dark Gray with lighter gray streaks on the carpetiles. The place looks very Conservative.
Also to note they replaced the concrete floor in 2011 with the Concrete floor.
The Exterior.
The Skate Inn had basically White trim on canopy and upper part of exterior wall and Medium Blue exterior with a simple sign saying, SKATE INN above the main doors which is right at the corner. They painted the exterior into Purple where the White part was from Skate Inn and White and Chalkboard Black replaced Medium Blue. Just in time for replacing the Graying of America Era.
The Stats:
Skate Inn --
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Light Blue painted Concrete. Floor Layout: Standard
Bristol Skateway --
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Beautiful Maple, Clear coated. Floor Layout: LOG
Building Size: 27,600 SF. Built: 1974. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1975 to 2017, 2018 to present
Skate Fun of Bristol: 1975 to 2010.
Skate Inn of Bristol: 2010 to January 2017. (But email said 2010). (Mike Wilson owned from 1997 to 2017
Bristol Skateway: 2017 to present
Reason for Closure:
Bristol Skate Inn: According to S. G. the owner disappeared and the rink was shut down and sold in auction on courtsteps.
Bristol Skateway: Still operational.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Bristol Skateway; WJHL 11 - rink shutting down/to be auction off; WCYB 5 - New revival for the rink;
Facebook - Bristol Skate Inn; Loop Net; Google Images; Herald Courier - Rink to be opened again as Bristol Skateway;
Date of issue: 09 January 2021. Updated: 02 April 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
Sure we heard about some rinks had some crimes connected like violence/fighting, predators, and even a rink operator's twin brother scamming money out to go to a casino to spend it all. This one deals different crime.
This is what a person told me about this rink today --
In Bristol, TN, the Skate Inn shut down about a decade ago when the owner skipped town and abandoned the place. It was ready for demolition when a Florida couple with major rink experience bought it on the courthouse steps (likely the rink was seized by either the town, county, or state for failure of collection on taxes-either sales or property which is common with businesses failing to pay or seizure by bank and sold for bankruptcy auction ordered by the court), totally renovated the place, installing a beautiful maple floor, and rebranded it the Bristol Skateway (a play on the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway) [I figured that out since I know NASCAR races there]. They've been opened for 2.5 years to much fanfare and in my opinion, one of the Top 5 rinks in the country for how it's run, it's cleanliness, how they entertain skaters, and the fact that they cater to skaters. They have no mini-golf, laser tag, climbing walls, or any of that other crap you find in today's "family entertainment centers." They have lots of before and after photos of the work. They are located at 210 Skateway Drive in Bristol, on the Tennessee side.
-- (Emailed me on January 8, 2021.)
Well, quite interesting story about the guy who run off. Must be he was already in legal trouble which caused the shut down. Seen this happened even to a bar in my hometown. Same situation, shut down and seized and sold. It is now another restaurant or a bar now. This means around 2010ish.
But listening to the video and watching on WJHI 11, there is a conflict.
Both WJHI and WCYB said both of their rinks closed in January 2017 and new owners took over and started to renovate in 2018. Took them a while to get it up and running again. So, around late 2018, it was reopened as Bristol Skateway.
The Skate Inn was operational for 41 years. Opened in 1975 as Skate Fun of Bristol. The name changed along the way likely in 1990s.
The new group of owners that bought the rink was a team of 5 investors lead by this couple and the sister. Gary Easmunt, and his wife Deborah bought it and rest were family co-owns it including Gary's sister, Patti Enstrom.
The building was built in 1974-75. It has 27,600 Square Feet which is on the bigger facility side. From what I see, it is excellent size for this size rink. Well balanced even with the renovation which made it much more comfortable and with ease. The layout is this, when you come in, the door on the left side corner of the building then as you go in, you turn and face toward rink, you see on the right side is snack bar, eating area, bathrooms, lockers, etc. But in the middle row is rest areas then on the left or the rear of the building, that is the rink floor. It is kind of like rows in that place. I never seen a rink that has rows like that. Usually sections. But this is row "sections" you can choose to do. I like that. Very original by the original owner(s) of Skate Inn to come up with that lasted this long right up to the Bristol Skateway today. Skating experts seemly to certified Bristol Skateway one of the cleanest, best, newest, nicest, there is. From my view in the photos, I give those experts approval to agree that it is the one of the best. Top 5.
No wonder it is on the top 5! They are award winning rink after all according to them on Facebook.
The Interior.
At the time of closing it was very basic 1980s-90s look with 2000s carpet. It was Concrete when it was The Skate Inn. The carpet at the time of closing was carpetiles. However, of course, before that, carpet. I do not have much older appearance.
The walls at the closing time in 2017, it was mainly four colors. Blue at the base of the wall followed by Red, then Yellow, and Light Violet. They had wide flattened diamonds on the wall with both colors of Red and Yellow. and stripes a little bit.
The lockers I see in video really divided between the rink and side wall It did appear pretty big rink floor. And the colors really made it appeared spacious but a mix mood I felt when seeing those interior at the time.
It was abandoned for a while because of the owner skipped town and selling and taking time to purchase it and renovate, it did have tiles fallen, water puddles on the rink, spray paints here or there by trespassers and swatters.
The renovation into Bristol Speedway brought really neat look. They installed beautiful maple floor, excellent appearance and they were ranked top 5 in nation according to S. G. The reason is that they keep good care of it, clean, and really focus on roller skating rather than add all other recreation or amusements that you would find in "family entertainment center" out there. This is core that you would find as a rink. With their so much experience in roller skating, they were able to make this rink come back very successful in just 2.5 years. Good job owners!
The sections I spoke of is before the Interior section above.
The interior walls now are very Central American look that was popular in this country in 1990s. Royal Blue base with White top half on walls. The carpetiles are very professional looking Conservative floor look. Pretty much Dark Gray with lighter gray streaks on the carpetiles. The place looks very Conservative.
Also to note they replaced the concrete floor in 2011 with the Concrete floor.
The Exterior.
The Skate Inn had basically White trim on canopy and upper part of exterior wall and Medium Blue exterior with a simple sign saying, SKATE INN above the main doors which is right at the corner. They painted the exterior into Purple where the White part was from Skate Inn and White and Chalkboard Black replaced Medium Blue. Just in time for replacing the Graying of America Era.
The Stats:
Skate Inn --
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Light Blue painted Concrete. Floor Layout: Standard
Bristol Skateway --
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Beautiful Maple, Clear coated. Floor Layout: LOG
Building Size: 27,600 SF. Built: 1974. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1975 to 2017, 2018 to present
Skate Fun of Bristol: 1975 to 2010.
Skate Inn of Bristol: 2010 to January 2017. (But email said 2010). (Mike Wilson owned from 1997 to 2017
Bristol Skateway: 2017 to present
Reason for Closure:
Bristol Skate Inn: According to S. G. the owner disappeared and the rink was shut down and sold in auction on courtsteps.
Bristol Skateway: Still operational.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Bristol Skateway; WJHL 11 - rink shutting down/to be auction off; WCYB 5 - New revival for the rink;
Facebook - Bristol Skate Inn; Loop Net; Google Images; Herald Courier - Rink to be opened again as Bristol Skateway;
Date of issue: 09 January 2021. Updated: 02 April 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.