ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Penn Skate, a popular indoor skatepark in Allentown, is set to close early next year.
The announcement came in a lengthy Facebook post, possibly from owner Chris Budinetz, on the skatepark's page.
The business, located at 301 S. Carlisle St, had billed itself as Pa.'s largest and oldest indoor skatepark. It had been open for 24 years.
- Allentown's Penn Skate skatepark is set to close at the end of December
- A lengthy and emotional Facebook post on Monday announced the news
- The park's website will continue to sell merchandise and skateboard supplies until January
"As any self-employed or small business owner will tell you, it's hard work," the post reads. "Very few people get to say they love what they do for a living."
The post went on to thank members of the community and reflect on its years in business, which the poster described as a "rollercoaster of high and low emotions."
The statement cited business problems, bills, stress and other factors in the decision — but asked readers to respect their privacy and promised more details later.
The post also expressed the park's story as a "dream come true" serving the community and allowing a "safe place for kids to express themselves, grow, and enjoy our great sport."
The park, which allows bikes, inline skates, quad skates, scooters and skateboards, is set to remain open until the end of December, and Penn Skate's website will continue to sell merchandise and supplies until January.
According to the website, Penn Skate started in the old storage freezer behind the former Lehigh Valley Dairy building in Whitehall Township but moved to the Carlisle Street location — doubling its size — 14 years ago.
