One of Citrus Heights’ oldest businesses listed for sale at nearly $5.4M

By Sara Beth Williams–
After recently celebrating 50 years in business, Sunrise Rollerland in Citrus Heights has been listed for sale.

The roller rink has been a staple family-friendly entertainment center long before Citrus Heights incorporated, hosting skating lessons, sessions for all ages, sock hops, birthday parties, skating competitions, and much more. Located just east of and directly behind Sunrise Mall on Sunrise Vista Drive, the roller rink has also stood witness to the rise and fall of the mall.

Commercial real estate site LoopNet lists the building and business for sale together at a total price of $5,375,000.

Tony Wood, Senior Vice President at eXp Commercial of California Inc., told Sacramento Business Journal that the property is “profitable enough to remain as is” but also has potential for other uses.

Current Sunrise Rollerland owner Ken Neutz said in a phone call with The Sentinel on Monday that they’re only looking for buyers who want to continue using the building as a roller rink.

“That’s a huge stipulation,” Neutz said, adding that he understands the public’s apprehension about changing it too much.

Sunrise Rollerland is among the oldest businesses in the city limits, while the rink itself is “among the oldest anywhere,” according to the broker. The rink is also the fourth largest in the world, according to the real estate listing.

Neutz noted that Roller King in Roseville and The Rink in Sacramento were built around the same time as Sunrise Rollerland, just before its construction.

Related: Popular roller rink in Citrus Heights marks 50 years in business – Citrus Heights Sentinel

Histroy of Sunrise Rollerland

Before the rink was constructed, the Neutz family grew up roller skating at an old skating rink in Carmichael the 1960s and ’70s, Neutz said, adding that the rink, which is “long gone,” wasn’t in the best condition.

His father, whom Neutz described as very religious, had “visions” about building a new roller rink and eventually invested $20,000 to have it constructed a couple of years after Sunrise Mall opened. Neutz’s father retired from the Air Force at a young age, and wanted something to do during his retirement.

“I have pictures of when the mall parking lot had cars in it,” Neutz said, recalling that the rink was built while parts of the Sunrise Mall were still under construction.

An online map showing all roller rinks in California indicates that only 34 remain. A search also shows that there are four roller rinks in Sacramento County, including Sunrise Rollerland, plus a roller derby sports club.

Additionally, Neutz noted that the downtown ice rink is converted into a temporary roller rink during the summer months. The ice rinks at Northstar Resort and Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley Ski Resort) in Lake Tahoe also offer roller skating in the summer.

Neutz worked at Sunrise Rollerland under his father’s leadership from 1975 onward and has held “pretty much every position” until eventually working up to general manager. In 2000, when his father floated the idea of selling the business, Neutz offered to buy it from him instead, and has been running the rink ever since. Currently, Neutz’s daughter serves as the assistant manager.

Now, Neutz said he and his wife are ready to retire. He said he doesn’t want to follow the old adage that “rink operators work until they die.”

In retirement, Neutz and his wife plan to visit friends, travel, and work on projects he has had to put aside while managing the rink.

“It’s time,” Neutz said, adding that if he felt younger, he’d continue running the business. He also noted that selling a business isn’t always a quick process and can take time.

The roller rink is still open for business and offers private parties, public skating sessions for all ages, including special themed sessions. Sunrise Rollerland is located at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive.