People whizz past on roller skates under disco balls, strobe lights and past a neon Tetris block stage. The lights sweep off the white floors like a neon mirage.
This is not a scene from a classic retro film, but from Woodbine Mall’s Fantasy Fair which hosts SUSO Skate, (short for Summer Solstice Skate Co.), a series of pop-up roller rinks in the GTA that opened on September 25 and will run until Summer 2027.
SUSO Skate’s customer service associate, Anna Baczek, has seen the company host events in Brampton, Oshawa and Burlington, Ont., over the last three years.
She says the goal is simply a good time. “We want people to get off their phones and just roller skate, that’s what our whole theme is, just old-school roller skating vibes,” Baczek says.
The Woodbine mall rink has weekly themed nights attuned to the retro aesthetic, showcased on their Instagram, @susoskateco. On Fridays and Saturdays a DJ comes in and takes song requests.
“That’s when the more professional skaters come out and show off their stuff,” SUSO employee and Humber graduate Khalesha Ali says.
The roller rink, decorated with Pac-Man and Galaga arcade games attracts a lot of Humber students, but it’s also a draw for middle-aged adults and seniors.
SUSO Skate Co. employee Anna Baczek says the roller rink’s vintage appeal is reminiscent of a simpler time.
“They want that whole retro, like, ‘pinball machine’ vibe, back in the day, you know?” Baczek says. “It’s actually shocking sometimes when I see more of the New Age kids talking about it and saying that they like it.
“The music that we choose to play here is a lot different than the music that comes out these days.” Baczek says her favourite song to roller skate to is Diana Ross’ “Upside Down.”
SUSO Skate Co. will host a Halloween skate night on Saturday, October 31.
The rink is also available for private rentals during SUSO’s non-working hours, weekdays before 4 p.m., with guests allowed to bring their own food and drinks.
For Baczek the nostalgia still hits. “Imagine it’s Walkman Wednesday and everyone’s just dressed up to the nines, the 70s and the 80s music playing…it’s a good time, you know?”
