Tag: thrifting

A Key to the City

A Key to the City

Roller blades – they are indeed an overlooked, hidden key to the city. I got this idea as I was doing one of my favorite hobbies, thrift shopping. At the very first location of the day, a little resale outlet in Lincoln Park, I found this treasure. On these adventures I usually find things like vintage records or recycle-styled lamps, so I was not expecting to find what I did this on particular day. My face instantly lit up when I saw the back of what looked like a roller blade on the bottom shelf, tucked under some other rummage. I rushed over, hoping and wondering if it was true. I was determined that no one was going to get their hands on those skates before me. They were in fact a pair of in-line roller blades in top condition and most importantly they fit me perfectly.

People literally spend up to $600 on skates like these, but they were waiting for me for the low price of $25. The previous owner of the skates did NOT know how to live the city life, but I would not make the same mistake. Rollerskating is making a huge come back into college campuses, becoming just as popular as skate boarding, biking, etc.

Loyola’s campus is relatively small compared to most other college campuses, but having an alternative to walking is not uncommon here, and in a big city like Chicago, it is popular. These roller blades cut my ten minute walk to class into six minuets… that’s another cup of coffee in my world. Aside from this, it is also a great way to get some exercise and relieve stress. Besides skating on campus, people often skate on the Lakeshore path and around their perspective neighborhoods, which helpful in getting acclimated with the streets and various areas of Chicago.

As it is slowly but surely turning into winter, I will definitely be utilizing these skates to the fullest to help enjoy the last weeks of the fall season.