Jelly Beans skating rink officially closes doors, skaters enjoy the final night

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s the end of a skating era in Wilmington.

Jelly Beans announced it was sold earlier this month and Monday night was the last night locals could lace up and hit the rink.

For nearly ten years, Jelly Beans Family Skate Center has played host to parties, after school programs and more. For the first time in more than 30 years, the Oleander Drive space will not be home to a skating rink.

For those skaters young and old, it was more than a skating rink, and they made sure to enjoy the most of its final night.

“It’s all happened here in this one big special place,” said skater Madiyn Craft.

It’s where many of them honed their skills.

“I was pretty embarrassed because I didn’t know how to skate I was on the wall the whole time,” said Jayce Ritter skating with his young sister Madiyn. “I was busting my butt a lot, but as long as you know you’re having fun that’s all that matters.”

Monday night was a night dozens were fretting. None more than Jelly Beans general manager Ava Bromeier. She was one of the first people who got a job there 9 and a half years ago working the concessions.

“I love everything about this place. I actually learned how to skate before I learned how to walk,” said Bromeier.

It’s safe to say she has spent more hours at Jelly Beans not only working but off the clock, for her it was a calming place.

“You see a lot of emotions with people that come in here. Everybody is going through something and when they come in here and when they walk out of the door you don’t see that anymore,” said Bromeier. “It’s kind of like relief.”

Skating on a Monday night came as a sweet relief for many both young and old.

“Normally I don’t get to come on Monday nights so I was really glad that I got to come,” said Katelyn Brosser.

It’s not the fun night skates that Wilmington will lose after Jelly Beans goes, the rink played a setting for so many events.

“It’s after school, it’s summer camp, it’s birthday parties, it’s fundraisers,” said Bromeier.

Now those groups and organizations will have to look towards places like Scooters skating center or the maybe the Wilmington Ice House. For several skaters, there is no replacement.

“I was crying when I found out that it was closing because I had been going here for so long,” said Ashlyn Johnson.

Monday night does not mark the complete end to Jelly Beans. The staff is working out sales of equipment to places like Scooters, however, whatever is left over will be sold to the public.

Bromeier tells us that items like skates and more will be open for public sale Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday afternoon around similar times.