*machine translation, inaccuracies exist

Source: https://sendai.keizai.biz/headline/262/

Figure Skating Specialty Shop Opens in Izumi, Sendai - opened by a former professional skater and her husband.

On July 3, the specialty store for figure skating goods “NICE” (Ichinazaka Ishidome, Izumi-ku, Sendai City; TEL: 022-352-6714) opened in Izumi-ku, Sendai City.

The owner of the store is Nanami Abe, a figure skater who works as an instructor and coach. She performed in "Disney on Ice" for seven years, beginning in 1995, and was active around the world. She currently also choreographs for Shizuka Arakawa.

The idea for opening the store came from a simple question posed by Abe’s husband, Toshinobu Yoshida: “Where do skaters in Sendai buy their equipment?” There were no specialty stores for skating equipment in Sendai, let alone elsewhere in the Tohoku region. The only options were to buy equipment while traveling to competitions or to obtain it through mail order. Abe therefore thought, “I want to create a store where people can try things on and purchase them while handling the products.” She opened the store at its current location, near Ice Rink Sendai (Takatama-cho, Izumi-ku). The store occupies an area of four tsubo (approximately 13.2 square meters).

The products available include skating boots, blades, over-the-boot tights, and original costumes. The store carries boots from established manufacturers such as Jackson and Harlick. Prices start at ¥13,500 for beginner boots (including blades), ¥37,300 for intermediate boots, and ¥70,000 for advanced boots. Custom-made boots are also available. For blades, the store stocks brands such as Paramount, John Wilson, and MK, which are highly regarded by instructors. Costumes can be custom-made, with customers able to choose the colors, materials, decorations, and other details. Prices start at ¥5,800.

A workshop is also attached to the store, reflecting Abe’s desire to support skating equipment as much as possible, since “there are no shops in Japan that specialize in repairs and maintenance.” Her husband, Yoshida, handles blade sharpening, skate maintenance, repairs, and other services.

The store attracts elementary and junior high school students aspiring to become professional skaters, as well as housewives who skate as a hobby. Abe says, “Japan has a deep pool of figure skating talent, but there are still very few male skaters. I hope to use the store as a platform to spread awareness of figure skating to many people and, by working together with coaches, support the entire skating culture.”

Opening hours are 12:00 to 20:00 (10:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays). Closed on Wednesdays.

Is their shop still open?

12 hours ago, AnaYuzu said:

Is their shop still open?

I'm not sure actually. Should have gone to check it out while I was at Ice Rink Sendai last year 😂

It's still being listed on the Fun-te mall website though: https://www.fun-te.com/