DETROIT – For nearly 70 years, a roller rink in southwest Detroit has attracted new generations of skaters.
Rollercade Detroit on Schaefer highway opened in 1955. At the time, there were very few places for Black children to roller skate.
So a Detroit couple decided to take matters into their own hands, and it’s still going strong six decades later.
“There’s no place I’d rather be than at the RollerCade tonight,” said Tyrone Carter. “It’s just a vibe that you can’t put into words.”
In 1955, Leroy and Johnnie Mae Folks opened RollerCade on Schaefer Highway.
“It was during a time of segregation, so the Black children didn’t have many options, but this was a place they could go to,” said Folks’ grandchild Janine.
The founders of Rollercade Detroit have eight children and 25 grandchildren -- who they hope will carry the torch.
“I learned more here than I did in school. My mother actually ran the rink from 55 to 1989 when she passed away,” said grandson Earl.
The rink is just 60 feet wide by 90 feet long. Currently, Rollercade is open four days a week.
“It means a lot to be in this space, have the ability to be creative in something that was rooted in my grandparents they started,” said grandson Kyle.