Located in the Chatham neighborhood the Rink has been home to “JB” or the James Brown style of skating on Chicago’s South Side since it was opened in 1974. Its original owners, Carmen Clark and her business partner Nate Simpson, opened the Rink after the two were tired of traveling to the suburbs to skate.
Roller skaters glide across the floor at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Roller skates sit on racks in the rental area at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Rental lockers sit near the skating floor at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Victor Arnette, 59, ties up his laces before skating at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Roller skaters glide across the floor at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A sign hangs above a separate skating area at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A roller skater glides across the floor at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Elizabeth Wise, 28, wears illuminated roller skates before taking the floor at the Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
From left, Nene Madison, 42, talks with Bobby, 54, and Hollywood, 53, (last names withheld upon request) while taking a break from roller skating at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Eddie Powell, 66, plays pool in roller skates at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
51-year-old Dominique Robinson, right, teaches a class at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A skater walks through the main entrance at The Rink Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)