From: ostubble@agsm.ucla.edu (Otha Stubblefield III)
Subject: Re: House Closing
Date: 1 Sep 92 10:25:51 PDT

Gudmundsen@a1.relay.upenn.edu (Tom Gudmundsen) writes:


>Here is a question that I am posting. If bowling is growing in 
>popularity why have so many houses closed in the last several Years???

You will probably find that in a majority of cases, a lease was not
renewed.  The next most likely case, especially in a center that has
been open for a long time, the owner retired, and was bought out by 
someone who did not want a bowling center.  The bowling center where
I was "brought up" was sold to people who claimed they would operate it
as a bowling center for two years, but closed it after six months and
converted it to a night club.  Believe me when I say that I was sorely
tempted to torch it during the riots.  Ironically, it was the only thing
to survive on the block.

>Where have the bowlers gone from these houses???

They have found other leagues or quit bowling.  When Manchester Western
Bowl closed in 1987, I was verrrrrry tempted to quit bowling, as it became
harder to do.  I preferred to practice after dinner, and before 1987, I had
no trouble finding open lanes before 9:00 during the week.  In May of 1987,
Manchester Western and 3 other LA county centers closed.  Afterwards, I 
found it very hard to find open play before 9:00, and in some cases, 
after 9:00.  In order to "practice", I found that I had to break down and
join 5 leagues that year, otherwise I felt that I would have stopped
altogether.

>I know finances have played a part with not bowling the number of 
>leagues that I used to, but I even have had trouble finding bowlers 
>for the High School team that I coached. Is bowling still percieved 
>as that sport that only fat slobs and beer drinkers do??? 

I think so, and my opinion is based on 1) conversations I have with
non-bowlers, and 2) the portrayal of bowling on TV (non-tour).  Most
non-bowlers that I talk to automatically talk about drinking beer and
how to make the ball hook.  TV and movie writers and directors seem to 
have this silly notion that anytime someone goes bowling, they have to
put on some stupid looking ancient bowling shirt, even if they are 
just going to practice.
  
>Our houses in the area are older and I am wondering why only it 
>seems that in the Midwest, Florida, and California area's are 
>getting the newer types of houses? 

Talk to some of your local pros and see what they think, or what
they have found out about opening a new center.  Also, don't feel that
all (Californian's) are blessed because we are getting new centers.  Los
Angeles county has lost about 20 bowling centers in the last 10 years, and
has only gained 4.  Most of these losses occured with Los Angeles City
limits, and only one has been replaced, however it is slated to close
(if it's not closed already) after 6 years.  The other new developments
occured in communities on the fringes of LA county, approximate 30 miles
from downtown LA (Palmdale, San Dimas, Diamond Bar).  Also some 
centers have recently opened in Riverside, Murietta, and Moreno Valley,
the closest of which is 60 miles from LA. 


Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling