Rollicking rollers
Mention Pattison’s North Skating Rink to people who spent their Wonder Bread years in Spokane, and expect similar reactions.
First date. First kiss. Or as one baby boomer declared as his coming-of-age badge of honor: “My first car accident was in the Pattison’s parking lot.”
Things haven’t changed much at the indoor roller rink at 11309 N. Mayfair St. The stale smell of plastic still hits the skaters smack in the senses when entering the building, created by the layers and layers of chemicals coating the shiny hardwood floors.
“It’s a good smell,” said 39-year-old Tom Muxlow, a 20-year employee who has worked his way up to manager. “If you smell that smell, you know that the floor is tight.”
Added another longtime employee Rod Roberts: “The smell gets in your clothes, and you can’t get it out.”
The music remains as standard as AM radio. During one session, a few early bird skaters were spinning under the pink and green fluorescent lights to the ageless surfer song “Wipeout.” Next up was “American Idol” pioneer Kelly Clarkston singing “Behind These Hazel Eyes.”
“We have fog machines, and we can program different patterns on the lights,” said Jason Korbel, a self-described rink rat who also works at Pattison’s.
The snack bar and gift shop resemble the trinket booths found at carnivals. Fuzzy dice, stuffed animals and other dust collectors hang from the walls. Cloying candy lines the shelves in the glass cases.
“They like anything that lights up or anything that’s sour,” concessionaire Carla Flett said about the most popular party favors and candies.
Business is steady in Flett’s corner of the cavernous building. But then again, business also seems good ever since Bobbie Winkler’s family started the business in 1952. The building was constructed in 1940 and was originally used for dancing as well as skating, Muxlow said.
Time of day always has determined the crowd. Friday and Saturday nights bring the junior high kids. Families dominate on Sundays. Various times and days of the week are set aside for birthday parties. But no matter what the time or day of the week, Pattison’s remains connected with firsts.
“My parents met here. They made out here,” Korbel said. “I also had my birthday parties here.”