You talking about the one next to the co-op right off of Penn ave?

Edit: OP, are you thing of Shady Skates?

Do you mean The Factory? I vaguely remember, amongst other things in that building in the 90s: Batting cages, gymnastics, and roller skating. I have no idea what’s in there now though.

Yes! It was called Shady Skates. It probably hasn't been there for at least 15 years though.

I don't think it was in a complex with other sports things... In a way, it was like a business mall kinda?

What area was it in?

I really don't recall, I was probably 13 when I was there. I'll add more details in a thread.

I remember there was a small half pipe to learn on, some rails and Ramos you could switch on.

I think the person you paid was in an office with a cage... It was a long time ago, 30 years, so memory isn't to crisp

Shady Skates is sounding familiar... Lemme Google and see if I can find pics

Can't remember, we drove from Youngstown Ohio to go to it. I think it was Shady Skates based on someone's comment!

It almost has to be Shady Skates. We read about it as teens in a rollerblading magazine and asked our moms to drive us there from Youngstown!

All the videos look like what I remember, I just don't see the mini half pipe, which looks like it may have been pulled out for vending or standing areas.

Regardless, thanks for helping me remember!!

Oh it was you who said Shady Skates 😁

It is now the East End co-op grocery store in the bottom and the top has a bunch of stuff for kids like gymnastics place, fencing school and for awhile there was a rock climbing wall but I’m not sure if that has reopened open since 2020.

Ah that’s right! I remember going to the rock climbing wall once or twice circa-2008. I thought it was a cool place even if rock climbing isn’t for me. Hopefully it reopened.

Also don’t forget B-cubed in the attic of Airport Ice Arena

Never heard of it, but that must've been a cool venue in the attic

J.G., Jerry Cooper, Greg… Mark the Shark, Chris Barnett… so many faces clear, names in a fog.

Good times! 😎

885 Skatepark (West Mifflin) was also a thing. Opened in 2002 and was the sequel to Shady Skates.

I still see a few of these guys around town every once in awhile.

That place was the shit

Nice… saw JG at the Tav back in ‘18? Last I heard Jerry was in NC & Greg started OneUp on Carson. As for Shark, last I knew he was still slinging pies at the Village (RIP).

Those Deli Co. nights are all a blur now!

🤘🏼😆🤘🏼

Yeah JG is still around for sure. Shark is doing well. I think he opened a restaurant or two outside of Pittsburgh, but in the region somewhere. Name escapes me. RIP Deli Co. Best/worst pool table in the East End.

Good to hear they are both doing well…

The Bosstones : Toxic Toast lyrics come to mind when I think back to those times.

“Looking back now, not sure how… we made it through, not all of us, but most.”

Good times for sure, but I couldn’t roll like that now.

The Deli… man, I remember the night some chick threw the cue ball @ Jerry, he ducked and JG caught it in the side of the head at the top of those steep ass stairs and almost sent it.

That kid Matt was dangerous on the table, Fulton too. Pretty sure Pompa was there before the Tav as well.

Like I said, I can still see the faces, the names… long gone.

Be Easy Friend. 😎

Jesus the memories there. Who remembers the graffiti in the bowl of the guy with his dong out and it said "hang out with your wang out" Skated that wang many times. 10/10 would do again