A familiar site along Highway 52 near Decorah, Jewel’s Skate Country has been a popular place for people of all ages for over 30 years. When the skating rink closed down for the summer in March, it would be for the final time as the longtime facility has been sold. (submitted photo)
A northeast Iowa 'Jewel' closes its doors
Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com
It’s a staple of northeast Iowa; a right of passage for many youth to grow up in the area. Now, after 33 years in the business, Jewel’s Skate Country is closing its doors.
“I am definitely going to miss the people,” said Don Jewell, who has owned and operated the skating rink since 1987. “It might not really hit me until everything is moved out, but it has been my life for many years so it’s going to me a little emotional.”
Jewell, a native of Olympia, Washington, moved to La Crosse, Wisc., in the late ‘80s and learned of a new skate facility being built near Decorah. A passionate skater already, he and a group of friends traveled south to check it out.