Roller Rink Closes; Christmas Tree Retail

Last Skate for Kendall Park Rink

After 53 years, the Kendall Park Roller Skating Rink closed today, Sunday, Nov. 26. The owner plans to convert the building into retail space, says Connie, the woman who sells tickets for admission and roller-skate rentals at the door. "Last night was really hard." 

Final skate for the Kendall Park Roller Rink; closing after 53 years.

Rollerskaters will have an easier time finding skateparks in Central Jersey than roller rinks.  You'll have to go to Woodbridge, South Amboy, or Jackson for a roller rink.  Meanwhile,there are skateparks in  South Brunswick, New Brunswick, Somerset, and West Windsor.

The end of an era for the Kendall Park/Franklin Park area.
Roller rink doors closed for good at 5 pm today.

Tree Retailing on Route 27

Like everywhere else, Christmas tree lots have sprung up for the holiday season. On Route 27, two lots are in operation--one that's new and one that's been around for more than 30 years.

Top Tree Services, which operates about 20 sites in New Jersey and the Bronx has set up a lot in the Franklin Towne Center parking lot, its first year in this location. All trees are priced at $24.95. It's $9.99 more for a package that includes a fresh cut, netting, preservative and a disposal bag. The trees were shipped in from Canada and Michigan.

 Potting Shed Christmas Trees Are Back

The Potting Shed is selling Christmas trees, wreaths and grave blankets again this year.  Its owner, Steve Belly, plans to continue the Christmas-related business.  After 46 years in business, the The store closed in June and the property was sold a couple months ago. But the family still owns the house and property across the street from the store, where the Christmas tree lot operates. Steve is considering just opening the business during holiday periods, such as Valentine's Day and Easter. For example, he might sell palm crosses around Easter. 

Potting Shed's Steve Belly working on wreaths, grave covers.

Besides the Christmas trees, which retail starting at $20, the business also sells grave covers. His trees come from Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania. 
Besides trees, grave covers have been a big seller. He's sold over 3,000 of them. The Potting Shed also runs a Christmas tree lot on Easton Avenue by the Burger King in Rutgers Plaza in Somerset.

Denise has worked for the business for more than 30 years.

The tree lot opened on Nov. 20 this year, when it received its first shipment.

The Potting Shed sells more than 3,000 grave covers a year.

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.