GREEN TWP — A local staple for birthday parties, school celebrations and family outings is closing its doors.
The mechanical horse is still, the wooden skating space doesn't echo with the sound of roller skate wheels, and the parking lot is mostly deserted. Western Rollarama, in business for 4 decades, has closed unexpectedly today.
As a result, the business was forced to cancel and refund any upcoming birthday parties and events booked with them.
The original owner, Larry Roell, passed away in January, and family says the heirs are not interested in keeping the business. Lisa Anderson, Roell's niece, told WCPO the family is looking for a potential buyer, and has already seen some encouraging interest. Until a sale can be finalized, however, the facility will remain closed.
"It's a shame that this place is going to close down," said Sean Wheatley, a resident in Delhi. "I'm really hoping that somebody can step up and help out and get some money and maybe open it back up as soon as possible."
Wheatley added that entire generations have been visiting the Western Rollarama for decades. "I mean, there are kids from babies all the way up to teenagers and older," he said. "Adults who have been coming here for 40 years...there's just not many places to go now."
