RollerCade opened on Jan. 9, 1955, in the midst of the Civil Rights era, managing to keep the lights on during decades of population loss and disinvestment in Detroit. The rink is one of the oldest continually open, black-owned rinks in the country. It has been a popular destination for nearby residents ever since it opened, fueling the city’s vibrant skating culture and operating as much like a community center as a business.