Unfortunately, there are few good skate shops in New York City these days, especially compared to the glory days of the 1990s. It seems there are almost no specialty skate shops left, and the sporting goods stores have either cut way back on their inline skate selection or dropped inlines entirely.
Some stores listed below might no longer sell inline skates, and it's possible that some have closed. Your comments and updates are appreciated.
Blades was the city's best source for inline skate gear from around 1990 into the early 2000s. At its peak, the chain had at least eight stores in the city and had opened a few in other cities. But they faded away, and as of early 2016 were down to just a single store — Blades Downtown, in the Village near NYU — and that store no longer sells skates. For those wondering about Blades West, the West 72nd St. store that was a center of inline activity for more than 20 years, it closed in January 2016.
Offers 24-hour inline skate rentals. Protective gear is included.
The big chain sporting goods store has just one location within the city, in central Queens. The company website indicates they carry Rollerblade, Roces and Tour inlines, as well as a couple cheap brands, but store availability looks sketchy on the better models.
Specialists in quad roller and especially roller derby gear.
The big sporting goods chain. In the past, some of their really large stores had a half-decent selection of skates. These days, you may have trouble finding much more than (roller)hockey gear and perhaps some low-end rec-fitness skates — i.e., Bladerunner brand and cheaper Rollerblade models. There is also the possibility that a store may carry no inline skates at all, although this may be a seasonal issue.
Large, non-chain sporting goods store that for many years carried the best inline skate selection in the city — which in a way was damning (of everyone else) with faint praise.
Unfortunately, Paragon also seems to have almost given up on the inline skating market. In summer 2018, the skates were hidden away in the back room of the basement level, where formerly they were only relegated in fall and winter. Furthermore, the selection was limited to a mix of Rollerblades. K2 skates were no longer available, and although there is hockey gear available, rollerhockey skates were not to be found.
No longer exists. A small store that was located on Eighth Ave. in the mid 50s, Peck was a New York institution for 60 years (although as part of the Blades chain for the final decade) before closing in late 2003.
Roller rink. Does not seem to have a pro shop where you can buy any rollergear or parts.
The current iteration of a skate shop at the Chelsea Piers sports complex. It's basically the pro shop at Sky Rink, and is thoroughly ice-oriented. Probably of little interest unless you are looking for (roller) hockey gear.
Primarily an ice and inline hockey shop. Westside originally opened in 2004 selling ice gear and services. In 2006, they expanded into inline and opened a shop across from the Flatiron Building in Manhattan, but in March 2019 they moved to the City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City.
Family-owned store that's been around 80+ years. Advertises as being the largest hockey dealer in Westchester, which means plenty of ice and inline hockey gear, but also carries recreational inline and ice figure skating gear.
See comments above regarding the location in the city.
Big hockey shop close to the Westchester-Putnam county line, including rollerhockey skates and gear.
Sports complex with a pro shop. Carries gear that would be of interest to rollerhockey and roller derby players.
Caters to (roller)hockey players but also advertises recreational inline gear.