The Independent Voice of the Roller Skating Industry for over 50 Years!

From the JAN-FEB 2010 ISSUE of The RINKSIDER Magazine:

Washington rink celebrates 40 years in supporting community

By Jan Mowle

Tiffany’s Skate Inn in Puyallup, Wash., celebrated its 40^th anniversary in November, 2009 in what its owners and operators say is a supporting, loyal community. The skating rink opened on November 12^th, 1969 after Dennis King Sr. bought it from the venture capitalists who built it. He said the rink was built architecturally so that it would never become outdated in looks.

King had operated another rink in Wenachie in central Washington at 27 years old and has been in the business now for 55 years. The attraction of being involved in the industry for King was that he could keep his family together while he made a living – they could all grow up in the rink.

He has two sons, two daughters and eight grandkids and has passed the helm to his son Dennis Jr. and his wife Carole. Dennis King Jr., age 29, is just as happy to raise his family in the business.

Both said that the rink is an icon in the city of Puyallup. Dennis Sr. said there are now grandparents who skated there who are bringing in their grandkids to skate.

“We have third and fourth generations of skaters,” he said. “We run the business to be an asset to the community and people have supported us generation after generation. This community feels as though it’s their facility.

“People treasure our business, so therefore it is very rewarding for us,” he continued. “When you plant the seeds and treat people right, they in turn treat you right. We offer fun entertainment at a reasonable cost for a family. It has been a great journey and I have learned a lot.”

Major remodeling has taken place over the past few years, including ceiling replacement and redesign of the girl’s bathroom, the snack bar, the skate room, a new private party room and redesigned lobby. Dennis King Jr. also painted the outside a tasteful yellow and added that every square inch of the center has been repainted.

“We’ve given the fun shop and the pro shop an updated look,” he said. “We had family, friends and volunteers help us so it was low budget yet high impact. We wanted to create a ‘wow’ effect when customers came in.”

The entire remodel took three years to complete.

Dennis Jr. has also explored many different ways of generating publicity for the skating center. He markets to both the younger and older generation. He uses MySpace and Facebook to communicate with the younger skaters and said he has a few hundred people who signed up for and comment on the pages. Mass e-mails are another form of communication King uses to promote events.

About eight months ago, Dennis Jr. came up with the idea of putting a vehicle wrap on his van.

“I had owned a sign and graphics company, so I had all of the equipment to produce it,” he said. “It took me two years to design it though. I get very high visibility with the van. It is my number one form of advertising.”

Dennis Jr. said it can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $4,500 to have it done, but he believes it is well worth the money for the exposure.

The elder King said there have been challenges along the 40 years, but he takes his cues from the community.

“My biggest challenge has been doubt,” he said. “I wondered if I was always doing things right. You can have all the visions in the world, but you have to rely on and satisfy customers. Every time they purchase a ticket, it’s a vote for us to stay in business one more day. We have always tweaked things in concert with our community.”

He added that it is important for all entertainment facilities to pay attention to the culture and makeup of their communities. He said today’s market presents rapid changes.

“It’s to your benefit as time marches on,” he said. “Everything is better, faster and quicker. Being a part of change is all part of the exciting adventure!”

He is now ready, he said, “to go into the sunset with my wife.” It is time, he added, for his son and his wife to take the skating center on for the 21^st Century.

An anniversary celebration at the rink in November included a customer appreciation night with a huge cake and rollback prices.

Dennis King Jr. said, “My wife and I are looking forward to the next 40 years here. She has really taken to the business and it is rewarding to be able to work side by side.”