Dallas

43 Years and Millions of Memories; White Rock Skate Says Goodbye

It's the end of an era.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, White Rock Skate will open its doors for the final time after 43 years in business.

The beloved roller rink's owner Chuck Connor has decided to hang up his skates and retire.

"I think that's going to sink in [Sunday], that a lot of these people -- you won't see these same faces again," said Robert Goewey, who has worked at White Rock Skate for the past 12 years. "That's going to be really hard. But it's gonna be bittersweet because the boss man gets to retire and take a vacation for longer than three days for the first time in forever."

Connor's father opened White Rock Skate in January of 1973. He almost built a car wash instead of a roller rink -- but let his kids decide what kind of business they were going to run. Generations of customers are grateful Connor and his siblings opted for roller skating.

"This is a gem of Lake Highlands," said Steven Staton, who has been skating at White Rock Skate since it opened. "This is a safe place to bring your kids, where you can literally roll the clock back to 1973."

While the technology inside the rink and skating floor have been updated through the years, the rink itself has the same feel and look that it did 43 years ago, which is part of its appeal to many customers.

Parents remember skating there as kids and now bring their kids to skate there. Connor's daughter Leslie says it's those traditions and relationships that will be hardest to leave behind.

"I think I'm still kind of numb to it," said Leslie Connor, who grew up skating and working at the rink. "I haven't really gotten emotional yet. When people come up to me crying or they come up to me with a good story it's like save it -- save it for Sunday."

White Rock Skate will be open Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. The rink is located at 10055 Shoreview Road in Dallas.

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