A new pop-up called Wheelz is bringing roller skating back to Bloomington-Normal for the first time since Skate N Place closed in 2023.
Bloomington-Normal native Mindy Crow has skated for over 50 years. She reunited with her love for skating last year and started putting together Wheelz as a skating pop-up at the Interstate Center launching May 31.
The inaugural roller skating event is set to be an all-day extravaganza. From 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Wheelz is hosting a five-session event ranging from a brunch skate, to a halftime show put on by Maestro Jones, to a three-hour adult night skate finale.
Crow wanted to ensure participants wouldn’t just be adults that wanted to skate; it would instead be an all-inclusive event to people of different ages.
“We really want something fun for the family to do — really family oriented,” Crow said in an interview on WGLT's Sound Ideas.
Prior to the halftime show there is a brunch jam skate from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and a family-friendly summer kickoff skate from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wheelz will also have two food trucks, Mama Bear's Brunchbox and Artesano’s Pizza, along with Twisted Sisters Sodas during the event.
“We want everybody to come and hang and get a taco, get a pizza, get whatever you want,” Crow said.
The latter half of the day includes Maestro Jones’ halftime show featuring experienced skaters at 5 p.m., and then the adult night skate from 7-10 p.m.
Crow credits much of the event's inspiration and construction to the Praireland Punishers, a roller derby squad who also skates at the Interstate Center, and to McLean County Fair and Events Manager Katie Rader.
"I noticed that roller derby had something going on out there in the main exhibition building and I thought, 'Well, if they can skate there, why can't we skate there?'" Crow said. "So I got in contact with Katie, who has been nothing but awesome, she's very good at this... And we met up, took a look at the space, found out what they have to offer and just went for it."
More than a pair of skates
Crow said Wheelz isn’t just about skating; it’s about what those four wheels represent. They provide a distraction from the hardships in life and a way to connect with the community.
“I've always been a skater, and in times where I've been down or out, I go back to skating,” Crow said. “I think a lot of people do that.”
And for Wheelz, Crow made the conscious decision to add food trucks and different forms of entertainment from raffles to live music to create a stronger community-focused event.
The raffles, featured in each session, will send the proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club, Western Avenue, Pet Central Helps and the Humane Society.
And Crow’s inclusion of food trucks, while charging Mama Bear’s Brunchbox and Artesano’s Pizza nothing, expands Wheelz’ reach to the public.
“I'm a community-based person. I've lived in the community, I try to assist in the community in different ways with service,” Crow said, “So, I know food trucks always need a spot to sit at.”
Crow’s inclusive identity began at an early age when she began skating at the Skate N Place.
“Tim Overholzer and his wife, Diane, owned Skate N Place. And we all skated together and grew up there together,” Crow said. “So, yep, I'm a Skate N Place girl.”
Crow’s involvement with the Skate N Place didn’t stop there. She sponsored a faith-based session for local churches' food pantries. The lifelong relationships and memories she curated at the Skate N Place throughout its 50 years represent the importance roller skating has on many individuals.
Following its closure, the closest rinks are at least 30-45 minutes away, in Morton, Savoy, Danville and Springfield, making skating much less desirable and accessible to her and fellow Bloomington-Normal skaters. Wheelz aims to bring the love for skating back to the community.
Although Crow’s startup is operating on its own wheels right now as a pop-up business, she sees it as a possible entry point to something bigger.
“I'm sure everybody would wish we had a permanent place where they could come when their schedule aligns, but hopefully we'll make this work and we'll be able to do it through the end of the year,” Crow said. “And then we'll either speak with the roller derby ladies and Katie about making something more permanent happen or we roll with the roller derby ladies and look for a more permanent spot.”
The future of Wheelz, completely self-funded by Crow, is still untapped. Although Crow is looking to the future, she is still completely focused on her first priority, Wheelz at the Interstate Center this Sunday. If it goes well, Crow has dates on the calendar through the end of the year.
“It's a great place to start, it's a good floor to roll on. I enjoyed myself when I did my little test run,” Crow said.
Wheelz at the Interstate Center takes place May 31 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at the Interstate Center , 1106 Interstate Dr., Bloomington. Tickets are $12 on Wheelz's website, with free entry to the halftime show and social hour upon purchase.
