In a city racked by youth violence, Roll 'R' Way reinvents and remains safe haven in York
While violence is causing concern and unease in York City, Roll 'R' Way continues to be a safe haven for city teens and families.
Frank Quintin Jr., the owner of Roll 'R' Way, was born into a family of skaters with his family owning skating rinks across central Pennsylvania since 1969 including locations in East York, Chambersburg, and West York.
"My Uncle Lou started the business," said Quintin, "Then my dad took over."
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Roll 'R' Way
Quintin has lived in the city since he was 3 years old and has helped his father at Roll 'R' Way since he was 10.
His father owned the skating rink up until 2018 when Quintin returned after working in construction for 10 years.
"I remodeled everything," said Quintin, "Everything is new."
Some of the new changes include graffiti art on the walls, a stage, and new skates.
Quintin's father originally tended to kids and family, but Quintin wanted to make changes to modernize the rink and make it appeal to Generation Z kids and teenagers.
He incorporated a teen night playing all genres of music from pop to trap. There's an adult skate and concerts but the rink still hosts events for family fun.
The rink hosts concerts with rap artists like Polo G and NLE Choppa.
"I’ve been going to the rink since 2014 and was able to see the transition of the owners. Frank Jr. has really done a great job updating the rink and also continuing to provide a safe space for fun entertainment," said Cherontae Vasquez, a resident.
The city's youth endures pressure to find something to do as they don't have many places they can go to have safe fun. Often the activities the youth take part in aren't accepted positively by adults.
Issues in the past
"Everyone complains that the (city) kids have no place to go but everyone complains when you give the kids a place to go," said Quintin, "They'll go 'Don't do it in my neighborhood.' It's a two-edge sword."
In 2015, there were issues regarding teens walking through the neighborhoods surrounding the roller rink and vandalizing property on Sunday nights.
To work with residents, Quintin would sometimes watch the teens as they walked home.
"I wouldn't want someone coming in my neighborhood and destroying my things either," Quintin said.
After showing support to the community and building relationships with the kids and parents, there has not been much disturbance.
The rink is a teen favorite with over 100 teenagers waiting to get inside on Friday nights.
"We have to give them something positive," Quintin said.
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Giving back to the city
Quintin makes sure to give back to the community by hosting community fun days. All kids are granted free admission, food, and beverages.
Vendors are allowed to attend for free and sell merchandise while promoting their business.
Quintin insists on making prices very affordable so that individuals can afford to skate more than once a month.
Every first Thursday is $1 to skate. Every last Thursday, the date will be however many cents you pay.
"My main goal is to have everyone come out," Quintin said.
He enforces parents to interact with their kids by letting families of six and under skate for $12 as long as parents skate with their kids on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
A happy community
Quintin's family's efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Some remember Quintin as a kid himself and bond over hanging out at the rink while his father was still the owner.
"It really is awesome to see our young teen children hanging out at the same establishment we all share so many fond memories of," said Bri Lynne Stevenson, a resident. "If you are looking to hang out, get your skate on, and have some classic rink nachos all while jamming to some good tunes, this is definitely the place to be."
Customers are happy with Quintin's service and appreciate that he goes the extra mile.
One parent visiting for the first time recounted a time where he helped the parents who planned the party out of a jam by printing extra waivers to be signed on the spot.
"This was only last month and the first time I had ever been there or met him, but I was very impressed at his kindness and passion for what he does."
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Roll 'R' Way York offers safe haven amid shootings, guns, violence
