JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The polished floor gleams under the freshly installed lights, waiting for the first wheels to trace their paths across its surface. On Friday, the silence at 9441 Lem Turner Road will give way to the familiar sounds of roller skates and music when Planet Skate opens its doors for the first time.
“This is actually the first family entertainment center on this side of town in over 40 years,” said Terry Harris, the retired veteran behind Planet Skate. “Every day we’re here, people are just knocking on the door, congratulating us for bringing this investment into the community.”
The facility features two roller skating floors and will soon house a full arcade lineup. But for Harris, who grew up just miles away, this opening represents more than just a new business — it’s a deeply personal homecoming.
“I taught my daughter how to drive her first car right here in this parking lot when it used to be K-Mart,” Harris said. “She’s 28 now, so that tells my age. This is where I grew up, where I did everything in my adolescent years. It’s just home.”
The new venture aims to fill what Harris said was a critical void in the area.
“Just like there’s a food desert; there’s a family entertainment desert on this side of town,” Harris said. “We just had to do something.”
As opening day approaches, royal blue skates line the walls, glow in the dark carpet sets the mood, and lights and lasers bring colors to the space, ready to greet visitors. The transformation from empty shell to a vibrant space took late nights of painting and construction.
“There’s so much that goes into being an entrepreneur that people don’t understand,” Harris said. “But when you see those little kids jumping up and down, and they’re starting to book their parties – I don’t even have a birthday table yet, but I have three parties booked – that’s what makes it worth it.”
The location carries special significance as it brings skating back to the Northside.
“The whole city knows that Sk8 City was there back in the 70s,” Harris said. “Now we’re just rebranding and bringing that nostalgia back.”
Harris brought the Sk8 City name back to Jacksonville in an Arlington location. News4JAX shared that story during our 4 Your Neighborhood special in August. At the time, a Northside return was just a dream. Now, it’s a reality. It’s a part of a mission to keep kids out of trouble.
Harris said he plans to implement after-school programs and STEM initiatives, creating a comprehensive community resource.
“We’re going to help get them off the street, get them out of trouble,” he said.
The grand opening celebration, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, will feature free hot dogs and hamburgers as a welcome to the community.
“Come in and spend time with your kids because that’s what they need most right now – they need quality time with parents,” Harris said. “I hope this will trigger something. There’s plenty of parcels in the area available for that type of atmosphere.”
As final preparations continue, Harris’s message to the community is clear: “Northside... we’re back. We’re home.”
Jacksonville City Councilmember Reggie Gaffney Jr. and Mayor Donna Deegan will join Harris at 11 a.m. Monday to cut the ribbon on the new facility.
“This is what it’s all about,” Deegan said. “When local leaders and entrepreneurs invest in our neighborhoods, the entire city rises.”