Paved paradise.

Brother D · April 11, 2016, 02:26:02 PM

Hey dudes, another shot in the arm for local businesses in my area, it looks like my local bowling alley, could be sold off only to be replaced with student accommodation.

No date set as yet, but it would mean hanging up shoes for a lotta people, with the nearest one, too far for this dude. It has seen better days and could do with refurbishment in all honesty, but that's not the point, man!

If I had the necessary means, or was a master pinsetter repair man, I'd keep it going myself.

Maybe it's not too late to start a "save our lanes" campaign.

Liam_123 · April 11, 2016, 03:06:16 PM

Save our lanes campaign is a great idea. Man, I have not been bowling in quite some time. Maybe knocking over some pins and throwing back a few barely sandwiches is a great way to spend a Friday night. It's a shame to see local businesses go under, kind of takes away the pride of supporting your community.

I can't wait for my next beer

jgiffin · April 12, 2016, 05:54:04 PM

That sucks. The only real way to attack this closing, in particular, and what appears to be the growing trend, in general, is on the ownership side. I don't have stats but would guess the level of bowling participation has dropped significantly over the past 10-20 years. To remain viable, the struggling ones would probably have to diversify - for example, bring in "true" food or restaurant options, combine with other entertainment forms, or just make it part of a multi-forum venue.

The dedicated bowling alleys, while still viable in many markets, are probably really hurting in many others.

Reverend Al · April 13, 2016, 01:28:12 AM

After 60 years of throwing rocks and serving oat sodas, the last bowling alley in my home town closed last June. The building has been cited as an example of Googie architecture, and the developer who now owns it said it was a historic building and would be preserved. When I drove past it last week a crew appeared to be re-doing the roof, and the asphalt that had previously covered the parking lot was piled up in large chunks, presumably waiting to be hauled away. Rumor has it that part of the building will become an Aldi's Food Market, part will become a BevMo, and the rest will become who knows what.

Brother D · April 13, 2016, 08:42:49 AM

Could always build one out of pallets. I've seen some good backyard lanes on the interweb. Even the dude had a hammer, some nails and wood around, how hard can it be? Free bowling man, how dude is that!?
Hang a hammock nearby, add some homebrew, homegrown, grill a few burgers and your troubles are over dude.

SagebrushSage · April 14, 2016, 02:54:13 AM

*deleting old posts*

jgiffin · April 14, 2016, 07:47:50 PM

Quote from: SagebrushSage on April 14, 2016, 02:54:13 AM
Pallet boards are too curved and warped to be useful for making a bowling alley. The boards can be planed level, but the knots and funny grain would result in the wood warping again with changes in temperature and humidity. For making your own outdoor lane, I would suggest pouring a perfectly flat and level concrete slab, putting in weathering cracks, and topping with composite decking boards. A matted surface vs. a smooth surface would produce a slightly different playing experience, but it would work. Another option could be to make the lane with tennis clay.

This sounds oddly authoritative. I'm persuaded. However, I'm also lazy. So someone else is gonna have to test it.

SagebrushSage · April 15, 2016, 04:45:00 PM

*deleting old posts*

RandoRock · April 19, 2016, 12:55:25 AM

I'm fortunate enough that the local lanes in both my hometown and current town both have good enough bars to keep the business alive. I think that might just be an Iowa thing, it's not uncommon to walk into either on a Friday night and see empty lanes but a packed bar area.

A Dude · April 27, 2016, 10:35:14 AM

We have a nice bowling alley here in town. I haven't been able to roll because every time I go my ex-wife and her boyfriend are there and they make a scene. I just say fuck it and leave.

RandoRock · April 29, 2016, 11:56:09 PM

Offer to watch their dog next time they go to Hawaii, then you'll be good to go dude!

SagebrushSage · April 30, 2016, 12:57:22 AM

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Brother D · April 30, 2016, 01:34:22 PM

You can't avoid them forever dude, I reckon be civil, practise dude jitsu and if that don't work, Fuck it, go roll some anyway.

I did suggest to the dudes at my local lanes about a lebowski themed night, (march 6th), to draw in business, but think it got brushed off, which is a shame, I know a few dudes who'd dig it and i'm sure others will too.

SagebrushSage · April 30, 2016, 03:08:45 PM

*deleting old posts*

A Dude · May 02, 2016, 11:45:07 AM

I had a great time bowling Saturday night. Me and a lady friend of mine decided we would go. Well we rolled a couple and I look up and guess who comes in, the ex wife and her boyfriend. Well my lady friend ask me if I wanted to leave and I said not this time. I went to the bar and bought a couple of oat sodas and had them sent to them. A little while later they came over and they thanked me. We all talked for a while and even rolled a few together. They apologized for how they had been acting. It was a great night. Now I can go bowling with no worries.