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Dan Quinn outside the former Johnny’s of Custer
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
CUSTER — Dan Quinn is reinventing a space that once was a Mason County icon. Over the past couple of years he has purchased the properties that were once home of Johnny’s of Custer. While Quinn has no intention to make any attempts to revitalize the entertainment complex, he is planning to rent the former roller rink as a reception facility. However, the main focus of the property will be to provide storage with a focus on vehicles.
In 2019, Quinn, who owns U-Win Motorsports at 2284 W. US 10-31 in Amber Township, had submitted plans to Mason County Zoning and Building to build a 160-foot by 40-foot pole building on his property for winter boat storage. Some complexities in the county zoning ordinance prevented him from building the storage facility according to his specifications.
The former facility requires much repair.
“My intention at some point is to sell that business and property,” Quinn said. “But, I wanted to build a storage facility that I could use as a retirement income. Ultimately I wanted that building on a separate piece of property, but the county’s zoning ordinance wouldn’t allow it.”
Instead, Quinn approached the Village of Custer that has its own zoning ordinance.
“The former Johnny’s roller skating rink and the property it is on became available for sale,” Quinn said. “So, I discussed my ideas with the village council and they were more than happy to allow me to build here and help their economy.”
The Johnny’s property was divided into two separate properties. The former roller skating rink (known to many as the “new” rink), sits on the north side of the property. The “old” skating rink/Big Room, restaurant and bar sits on the south side of the property. Quinn recently purchased both parcels and just built a 160-foot by 40-foot pole building with the intention to build two more.
The roller skating rink is being used for climate-controlled vehicle storage in the winter, but Quinn wants to rent it out as a reception facility in the warmer seasons.
“When I bought the building I tracked down the company that installed the floor when the building was built in 1981,” Quinn said. “The company is still in business and the grandson of the man who installed the roller rink floor now operates it. He told me that the floor is solid and can handle vehicles without any damage. So, we put a garage door on the west side of the building and now store vehicles in the winter. My plan is to rent it out for receptions in the warmer weather.”
Quinn said the building will be empty and anyone renting it will have to supply chairs and tables.
The older buildings are more of a challenge. The previous owner, who had attempted to revitalize the restaurant/bar trashed the building before selling it.
“It is going to require a lot of work to update that building. I plan on also using that for storage as well, with the possibility of having climate controlled storage for smaller items.
Frontage along US 10 is also available for monthly rental to display vehicles for sale.
Johnny’s of Custer started in 1948 when 18-year-old Johnny Urban and his twin brother, Tony, built Northern Gardens Roller Rink. The place grew into a restaurant and then also a night club, bringing in acts that eventually would make it big.
In 1954, Johnny bought out his brother and re-named the facility Johnny’s of Custer. In the 1950s and 1960s the place booked many musical acts that were on their way to becoming famous. In the 1970s, several famous country artists performed there. Johnny’s provided roller skating and teen dances, an adult nightclub, bar, and restaurant. Johnny’s wife, Maisie was an integral part of the business. Both passed away in October 2012.
In the 1990s Johnny started transitioning himself out of the leadership and ownership of the business. The roller skating rink was separated and sold. His nephew, Vic, became involved with the operation and became owner. Vic died unexpectedly in 2009 leaving the facility in state of non-ownership. Eventually, Andy Quillan purchased the roller rink and kept it going for a few years.
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