31 Aug Dreamland Boardwalk Daydream

Who remembers my original Dreamland Roller Rink on the Coney Island boardwalk?

I opened my first Dreamland Roller Rink in 2008 inside the historical landmark Childs building, a terracotta nautical castle-like building just down the boardwalk from the Amusement Area. It was close enough to see the amusement park rides glittering in the distance but far enough away to truly feel like we were in a world of our own!

t was pure magic. A true miracle!
The Child’s building (built in 1923) had been abandoned and boarded up for decades until my dream breathed life into it again. As you skate around the rink you would skate past antique mosaics of King Neptune, terracotta sea creatures and then past the open arches with saltwater air and the sound of crashing waves drifting onto the dance floor. I opened it without any money at all…. It was all pure love, creativity, extremely hard work, passion and a few maxed out credit cards!

I still can’t believe I pulled it off. It was the miracle of this rink that launched my dream which has evolved over the past 13 years.