After 31 years of operating Heartland Skateway, owners Gary and Tammy Bowen say it is bittersweet but an opportunity that they just couldn’t pass up. The Bowens announced that they are selling their skating rink property which will become the Brown County Multi-Modal Facility (click here for more info).
They opened the skating rink on September 23, 1980, just a day after they were married. In fact, they laced hundreds of skates the night of the wedding. The Bowens came up with the idea to open a skating rink and partnered with Gary’s uncle, the late James Bowen. The older Bowen was an attorney who had offices in Brownwood, Coleman, Comanche and Benbrook. He helped secure the starting loan for the operation and then left the business two years later. Gary and Tammy spoke of the difficulties opening the business, including an 18% interest loan, but that they knew would be an instant success due to the popularity of roller skating in the 70s and 80s…and it was, according to Tammy.
“Skating in the 70s and 80s was really popular so just we decided to open one here,” said Gary. “It was unbelievable when we opened, the sessions were packed out.”
Tammy explained that the age groups have changed over the years.
“It was fun, in those days we skated so many high school kids because it was so different,” said Tammy. “These days we don’t skate so many high school kids that don’t just love to skate. It was a good time.”
The owners said that the range of ages has changed from high school to middle school and now the age group is primarily elementary through middle school.
“Our daytime sessions for little kids were unbelievable,” said Gary. “We had 150 on Saturdays in two sessions, that was before little league, softball, and all the other leagues stuff started.”
“Kids had more time, parents had more time. We used to run a Monday night session, Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday night session, Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions, which dwindled away slowly through the years because we didn’t have people coming, they were too busy and it wasn’t feasible to be open,” said Tammy.
Gary explained that the entertainment industry has changed over the years. In the beginning years, business really boomed; however as time has gone by, they added the daycare and the birthday party service to subsidize the businesses according to the Bowens.
“The daycare began in 1986 and that had been a blessing to us too. We had this big building here with no income being produced during the day. It helped the rink successfully to stay in business,” Gary said. “Entertainment has changed a lot in 31 years.”
“Times have changed,” added Tammy. “They’re entertained at home with Wii, DSi and other electronic things.”
Tammy noted that they plan to continue the daycare business at the First Methodist Church in Early and that this part of the business will continue unchanged other than location. The activity center at the church will provide a similar space for the daycare service, and playground equipment from Heartland Skateway will be moved to the grassy area at the church. The last day of daycare at the skating rink will be January 3rd and then it will move to the church. Pick up service will continue at all area schools as usual, according to the Bowens.
“It’s such a cool daycare because we have had this huge indoor playground and we don’t skate with them all the time. There are lots of other things that we do with them that we will continue down there,” Tammy said.
Tammy spoke of the school events and organizations that hold annual parties at Christmastime.
“We skated the first graders from Woodland Heights last week and we have been doing this for eight years. All of the first graders from Woodland come. It’s like they are out there skating and I think, this is the last time I’m going to get to help them skate. It is hard,” said an emotional Tammy. “We do this party for our church each year and this will be the last one. Everything is the last time.”
The Bowen’s children are both supportive although the oldest one had hoped to run the business; however they knew it was a great opportunity for their parents. Their older son Rabon is enrolled at Texas A&M and the younger, Banton, is a senior at Early High School and has been accepted to Texas A&M as well.
Heartland Skateway will close after one last blow-out party which will be the annual “All Night Skate” New Year’s Eve party on December 31st according to the Bowens. Tickets are on sale now; in advance for $25, and $30 at the door, plus the cost of skate rental. Each year the Bowens entertain about 425 kids at the party which lasts from 7pm on December 31st to 7am on January 1st.
When asked if in the beginning they thought they would ever be in business for 31 years, Gary stated, “It’s a milestone to make it that many years.”
The Bowens believe that their success over the years happened with support of their family, loyal staff and the community.
“We want to thank the community for all the years of support and patronage, through generations. Schools and daycares; well everyone has been good to us,” said Tammy. “The business has been good to us. We’ve had a good go. We’re going to miss these kids.”
Pictured above (left to right) are: Gary Bowen, Tammy Bowen, Mae Culver, and Susan Keller.
