Okay Stratford… we have Phil Morris and Elaine Beck to thank for bringing back all our sweet memories of weekends spent in roller rinks cruisin’ to Boogie Oogie Oogie under the disco balls with our besties! Let the fun begin again!
Five years ago Phil and Elaine booked roller skating in Mississauga for their son’s birthday. To say they have never looked back, is an understatement! They began regularly skating for fun in London but when the City posted they were looking for someone new to take on the the skate rental/programming of the rink, they decided to take their hobby to a whole new level.
Flash forward to today and the pair (and their two children!) are living, breathing and loving roller skates! Forced to shut down their 100 SF shop at the London rink due to covid, they have been operating – and growing – their online sales business out of their home, where products had taken over their garage, living room and basement! Phil and Elaine are thrilled be opening in downtown Stratford. They love small business and hope to be supporting other entrepreneurs as they draw folks far and wide who crave an in-person experience when buying skates.
Their new shop is five times the size it was in London and is chock full of roller skates – that range from $199 to over a thousand – laces, wheels, protective gear, and fun knee-high socks. Behind the shop is an enormous area for lessons, “quad fit” fitness classes (yes, on wheels!), and most likely in the future, birthday parties. Opposite the mirrored wall (and under the large disco ball!) is a large projector that will beam in teachers from as far away as Denmark who will offer live classes from time to time.
Retro Rollers Inc caters to skaters of all kinds: derby, dance, recreational, park and street skating. Classes will be taught by the owners and will include: Learn to Skate, Intro to Rhythm Skating, and then the fitness class. It is at the top of Phil and Elaine’s priority list that their space be a safe and inclusive environment, where only positive vibes are permitted!
The couple are also used to taking their show on the road and just purchased 300 pairs of funky zebra striped skates that they truck around to venues, for example an upcoming wedding in St Catherines.
If you want to relive your glory days, be sure to visit Retro Rollers – doors opening June 28th with the Grand Opening featuring skaters on Saturday, July 2nd!
Retro Rollers Inc | 65 Albert St
retrorollers.ca | @retrorollersinc
