A new outdoor skating rink and lounge called Rollin’ CLT recently opened in Charlotte, North Carolina, becoming the city’s first Black-owned skate park. Co-founded by three Black women entrepreneurs – Kendria Holmes, Brandi Fox, and Sh’niqua Ussery – Rollin’ CLT offers a one-of-a-kind skating and entertainment experience for Charlotte residents.
Bringing The Dream To Life
Opening a skating rink in Charlotte has been a dream of Holmes’ since 2016. At the time, the city had no operating skate parks and those nearby were located on the outskirts.
After meeting Fox in 2018 and Ussery in 2020, the three friends decided to make Holmes’ vision a reality. Together, they worked to open Rollin’ CLT over Labor Day weekend 2021, creating a space focused on more than just skating.
An Experience For All Ages
Rollin’ CLT operates outdoors on weekends for now, with Friday and Saturday nights reserved for adults and Sundays open for families.
The venue provides opportunities for entertainment and fun through live music, food trucks, games, vendor booths, and more. Tickets range from $11-$22, with skate rentals available for $3. Guests can also bring their own skates. Private parties can be booked as well.
Overcoming Obstacles
The three women faced challenges in opening Rollin’ CLT, including the high cost of real estate in Charlotte. After prices jumped over $2 million for the acreage they needed, they pivoted to first offering mobile skating pop-ups and lessons. Funding from Charlotte’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan assisted with their revised approach to launch a permanent skate park.
Fox shared that as African-American women entrepreneurs, they wanted to set an example and showcase Black ownership in the city. Despite obstacles faced, the partners persevered like family to make their business dreams reality.
Long-Term Plans
While introducing Rollin’ CLT to the city in 2021, the women entrepreneurs have ambitious plans for expansion in 2022. They aim to open an indoor brick-and-mortar skating rink and lounge in the fall, after debuting the outdoor space this spring. The permanent Rollin’ CLT location will be at North Tryon Street and Sugar Creek Road.
Holmes, Fox, and Ussery look forward to growing Rollin’ CLT into a staple entertainment venue for Charlotte in the coming years. Their unique vision and passion for bringing fun skating opportunities to the city are driving the success of the first Black-owned skate park in the area.
The opening of Rollin’ CLT by three Black women entrepreneurs provides a new skating and entertainment hub for Charlotte residents. More than just a skate park, the venue offers a place to gather, have fun, and make community memories for all ages.
Driven by years of dreams and dedication, Rollin’ CLT showcases Black excellence and ownership with Charlotte’s first Black-owned skate park.
