Former Roller Dome South finds new life as The Rink Vintage Goods and More

The Rink Vintage Goods and More has opened its doors in the building that was once Roller Dome South. Home to 118 vendors, selling everything from home goods and clothing to knick-knacks and comic books, The Rink has built its appeal on keeping details from the former roller skating rink. Inside you’ll find flooring, lockers and benches that were once part of Roller Dome South.

Co-Owner Jonele BilbyThe Rink is run by Jonele and Doug Bilby, who also own Vintage Treasures Antique Mall on Coliseum. 

“I have 140 booth spaces,” says Jonele. “We’re 100 percent full. I have at least 10 showcases as well. A lot of Fort Wayne local people are in here selling. We are the epitome of shop small.”

When it comes to those preserved details from the roller skating rink, Jonele says it’s what makes the Rink special.

“This is a historical place for Fort Wayne,” she says. “We grew up in here. I grew up in here and my husband grew up in here. It was important to us to keep the integrity of the history of it. That’s what people want to see. If I tore everything out, it would just be another building. I like that Fort Wayne is resuing their buildings and changing up things. I love that.” 

Jonele says all but 20 vendors are new, meaning you’ll find an almost completely different lineup of vendors than their vintage mall on Coliseum.

The Rink Vintage Goods and More
“I’m excited to have 100 new people in here selling that aren’t at Vintage Treasures,” she explains. “I have 118 vendors. Eighteen of them are my original vendors from Vintage Treasures. The rest of them are all brand new. It’s a good opportunity for local vendors to sell. Fort Wayne doesn’t have very many.

One of the variations Jonele says is most exciting– clothing.

“We’re really thrilled to have a lot of clothing vendors,” she says. “There are some really neat vendors that are carrying some really neat clothing. I know that that’s been kind of hard to find in Fort Wayne. They kind of open and close, so this will be a better place to come in and find several of those cute shops all in one spot.

She says aside from different vendors and a historical building, the new location provides new opportunities for them too.

“We have some property around here that we could expand to some outdoor sales and something– a little more than we can do out North,” she says. “We’re excited about the opportunities we have here in Waynedale. I am very thrilled to be out here.”

The Rink is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Some of The Rink's unique details, like the roller rink floor and benches, are preserved from the buildings' days as Roller Dome South.Some merchandise at The Rink features photos of the Roller Dome sign.A booth run by The 6040s, a small mid-century shop in Fort Wayne.A clothing vendor at The Rink.Refinished lockers that were originally in Roller Dome South.