About Us

Owners - Bill & Kathy Kist

Bill and Cathy Kist are native Johnstowners, they have always enjoyed hosting and having parties. “We wanted to preserve the This Is It building and provide the community with a pleasant meeting place” Cathy and Bill will work with you to make your special event become a reality. “Your Satisfaction is our priority!” Here's what we can do for you…

  1. PERSONALIZE YOUR EVENT
  2. MINIMIZE THE PARTY DETAIL
  3. MAKE EVENT ENJOYABLE FOR YOU
  4. SIMPLICITY/EASIER TO HAVE ‘THIS IS IT’ DOING THE WORK FOR YOU
  5. CREATE AN EVENT WITHIN YOUR BUDGET – BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT
  6. PROVIDE YOU WITH A WRITTEN ESTIMATE
  7. MILITARY AND BNG DISCOUNT 5%


Let’s take a trip back thru time:

The building that is now “This Is It” was constructed from 1939-41 by H.A. Malzi (Butch) and opened as “Skate-A-Way Roller Rink” on October 12, 1941. Butch’s sons, Matthew operated the diner and Harold was involved in the operation of the rink. Another son, Leroy was the skate boy who attached the rollers to the patrons’ shoes. The rink closed December 1st, 1945 with 600 skating on that date. The Malzi family then converted the building into a hotel with a bar which opened on April 18, 1946. A long list of performers including Johnny Long, Frankie Yankovich, Buddy Marro and Tommy Tucker entertained at the venue. The family chose to reopen the skating rink in 1950 and operated the rink until 1953. Thereafter the building was leased to various individuals and was an auction house, a Marine Corps club, an auto repair shop and for a brief period of time operated as the “Pig and the Whistle Night Club”.

Dr. Joseph Frank and his wife purchased the building in 1970 and named it “This Is It”. Dr. Frank completed major renovations and operated the facility with the support of his family. Gary Frank managed the nightclub and bar. He worked tirelessly with his brother Joe (Babe) to offer a great night spot in Johnstown during a 30 year period. “This Is It” provided a pleasant banquet and wedding setting that was used by many area families.

The Frank family sold “This Is It” to Liberty Grace Brethren Community Church in 2002. The facility was utilized by the church for approximately 6 years.

“This Is It” was purchased by Bill and Cathy Kist on May 15th, 2008. Renovations have begun and the facility is now available for weddings, meetings, private parties and special events. The building has a rich history and provided great memories for those that spent time there.

Let’s take a trip back thru time:

HISTORY OF THIS IS IT – 1939 TO PRESENT

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Skate-A-Way eventually attached a railroad car to the building.
It was used as a diner..

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In 1946 the Skate-A-Way roller rink became the Skyline hotel.

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This is Skate Away, Later The Skyline Hotel, and now This Is It

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Couple skating together on a Saturday night inside Skate-A-Way.

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Inside Skyline Hotel on opening night April 1946.

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The newly built Pavillion at This Is It