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SISTER LAKES — A 95-year-old business seeks to rise from the ashes after it was destroyed in a May 7 fire.

The owners of the Ramona Roller Rink recently started a GiveSendGo fundraiser titled “Help rebuild a 96 year old Roller Rink” in hopes of rebuilding the storied venue. Donations will go towards covering the remaining costs not covered by the insurance. As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, $971 was raised toward the $25,000 fundraising goal.

“We’re still working on it,” said owner Harold Schaus. “We met with the township and they’re supportive. Everyone wants it back; We’re waiting for the architect to draw plans.”

Despite the damage sustained in the fire, the rink floor was in surprisingly good condition. While Schaus tried to save the floor to keep Ramona’s status as Michigan’s oldest roller rink, it will have to be demolished because the business is unable to protect it during the time it would take to build another building around the floor and it can not be removed for a new building to be built.

The roller rink also set up an account with Honor Credit Union so community members can contact any Honor Credit Union branch to contribute to the rebuild. In the days since the fire, several area businesses, organizations and community members have begun raising funds for the roller rink. 

“I never thought we were so well-liked in the community,” Schaus said. “The community has gone above and beyond for us. We can’t even keep up with the people wanting to reach out and help; People are volunteering to help us clean up. We’ve been working hard on that.”

The former big band dance hall and longtime roller rink has operated under the same name since its opening, despite being passed down through four different owners. Ramona was the oldest operating business in Sister Lakes, according to Schaus. Like the name and longevity of the business, the building itself had lasted surprisingly well through the years and is set to turn 96 years old on July 2.

Despite the damage sustained in the fire, the rink floor was in surprisingly good condition. While Schaus tried to save the floor to keep Ramona’s status as Michigan’s oldest roller rink, it will have to be demolished because the business is unable to protect it during the time it would take to build another building around the floor and it can not be removed for a new building to be built.

For Schaus, the roller rink is a family affair. He started working there at the age of 14 in 1976 and would often take his siblings with him to work. In 2004, Schaus achieved his dream of purchasing the roller rink and has worked there with friends and family ever since.

“That’s a lifetime,” he said. This place means a lot.”

In the meantime, Schaus and the roller rink team plan to keep business as close to usual as they can. Ramona Mini Golf is scheduled to open Memorial Day Weekend and the roller rink plans to make its annual appearance in the Dowagiac Memorial Day Parade.

Schaus has big plans for Ramona’s 96th in the form of a birthday party fundraiser set to take place at approximately 11 a.m. Saturday, July 6 in the parking lot. The event will feature a silent auction with items donated by local businesses and community members, arts and crafts, baked goods and more.

In the days since the fire, Schaus has been able to learn just how much the roller rink meant to the community. According to Schaus, the parking lot has been full almost every night since the fire with community members swapping stories of treasured memories at the roller rink.

“I was surprised how many kids were crying because it’s gone,” he said. “For as many years as this has been up, how many people have met here and ended up getting married? I don’t know if that’s a number you can even imagine.”