 
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 24
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 1:59 am: |    |
Zitro. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
A100driver
Member
Username: A100driver
Post Number: 1
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 7:37 am: | |
Hi everyone,
I'm a new poster here. Wow is this a great site! I've been a list lurker for a while. The knowledge that I've seen on this site about the city is amazing to say the least! Anyway, I've been reading this post about the bowling alleys, and I thought that there was a bowling alley over the Flagg Brothers shoe store on Gratiot and Seven Mile. I was only six when it burned down. But, I remember the building, as my grandparents lived about six houses away on Fordham between Chalmers and Gratiot. I THINK I remember my dad talking about being a pinsetter there. So WAS there a bowling alley over Flagg Brothers?
On another bowling note, I vaguely remember my other grandparents (Linnhurst between Celestine and McCrarry) bowling at Fantasy lanes. I remember being sad when it burned down also.
Thanks for letting me join! |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7793
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 8:05 am: | |
Bowldetroit,
Whay there isn't any new bowling alleys being built in the Metro-Detroit area in 40 years? |
Zitro
Member
Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2103
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 9:08 am: | |
BD: You're welcome |
Mikeg
Member
Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 1899
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 9:27 am: | |
quote:Whay there isn't any new bowling alleys being built in the Metro-Detroit area in 40 years?
Apparently you haven't noticed how much thinner the GDBA Yearbook has been getting over the years.
The number of sanctioned league bowlers has been in steady decline over the last 25 years. Each year, there are 3 to 4% fewer sanctioned league bowlers in the Detroit area. Why would anyone invest big $$$ to enter a declining market? |
56packman
Member
Username: 56packman
Post Number: 2471
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 9:30 am: | |
Catman Dude asks:
How old can wooden bowling lanes get before they are un-bowlable? After so much annual sanding-down and re-coatings, they are bound to be sanded thin and unusable.
The old lanes I have seen and worked around are in the neighborhood of 2+" thick, so I think you can sand them several times will no ill effect. |
Catman_dude
Member
Username: Catman_dude
Post Number: 311
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 9:54 am: | |
^Thanks for answering my post, 56packman. If a bowling center sands their lanes annually, then they'd be sanding more than several times. These older bowling alleys still around with wooden lanes would have had sanded their lanes more than 40 times. I guess the lanes do not really get thin but I'm wondering if there comes a point where those lanes do not meet the USBC standards for official league play. Before Westland Bowl removed their wooden lanes, I would see my bowling ball do skips and wobbling between two unlevel boards. |
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 366
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 10:08 am: | |
Youngprofesionaldetroiter you said:
quote:...but to date I haven't seen a bowling alley (or league) as nice as that in the Abbey of the Detroit Athletic Club. 3 leagues per day, 5 days per week, all to capacity, people driving all the way in from Lansing and beyond.
Where are your pictures of these alleys? |
Bobby08
Member
Username: Bobby08
Post Number: 20
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 10:44 am: | |
Anyone interested in starting a league? |
Zitro
Member
Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2106
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 10:50 am: | |
It would have to be a traveling league, I live in Iowa |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7795
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 11:02 am: | |
Since wooden lanes are going to long gone by 2020. New synthetic lanes with black line approaches will be the norm. Folks who own those new synthetic lanes don't have to refurbish it every year saving the bowling alleys over thousands of dollars a year.
What is going with those old crappy wooden lanes at the Garden Bowl? After I check it out I never going to put my bowling ball in those lanes until the fix it. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7796
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 11:15 am: | |
One of the best ways for bowling league attendance to increase is MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! I bowling at a $12,000 grand prize mixed league. With over $600.00 in each cash prizes.
There is VERY POPULAR 9:30am. Saturday Youth League at Bananza Lanes 30 lanes, 4 teams each. That includes VERY POPULAR 9:00am Sunday Morning Travel Youth League. Enter you children there.
The African American Leagues are EXTREMELY POPULAR all over each bowling alleys near Detroit border with average of $ 2,000 or more in cash! You can find them at Thunderbowl Lanes, Cloverlanes, Bronco Lanes, Royal Lanes, Hazel Park Bowl, Plum Hollow Lanes, Wayne Bowl and Town and Country Lanes, Rennaisance Lanes and Eastpointe Bowl. |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 25
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 11:20 am: | |
We have some openings at Wayne Bowl. Wouldn't have to necessarily be a league, but all the posters on here could get together every week or 2 and bowl and talk nostalgia. I'm sure I could work out a deal with my owner to give us a break on price and maybe get some pizza etc every week. If anyone is interested,, e-mail me at waynebowl@comcast.net and maybe list the day/night you would like to bowl and I will make a list. Maybe we all can work something out. |
Bobby08
Member
Username: Bobby08
Post Number: 21
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 12:30 pm: | |
Bowldetroit,
Sounds good to me! |
Reddog289
Member
Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 614
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 1:23 am: | |
Might if i didn,t work afternoons. I mainly bowl at Wayne Bowl when i go bowling. |
Jcole
Member
Username: Jcole
Post Number: 3970
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 7:32 am: | |
Danny, I emailed 'All Experts' and asked the Pro how long wooden lanes would last with maintenance sanding and refinishing and here is his answer
"If done well, the sanding process allows wooden lanes to last decades. The sanding will eventually hit the cross synched nails which attach board to board." |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7798
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 8:22 am: | |
Bobby08,
There also openings at the $12,000 grand prize Thursday Night Mixed at Pampa's Lanes on Van Dyke Rd south of 14 Mile in Warren MI. It's every Thursday Night at 5:20pm. The League needs 12 people, men and women. If you're interested contact League Director Jack or head to Pampa's Lanes and get a application.
Plus there are teams needed at Airport Mixed at Taylor Lanes Located at Eureka Rd west of Telegraph Rd. in Taylor, MI. It's Every Other Saturday Night at 5:30pm. If you're interested call Mr. Chip at 1(734) 782-2100. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7799
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 8:27 am: | |
Jcole,
Who needs wooden lanes. It's costs more to refurbish and wastes a lot of trees. With synthetic lanes. You don't have to refurbish them every year and its good for the enviroment.
In fact Bowl One Lanes in Troy, MI. is getting rid of the old wooden lanes and installing Qubica/AMF styled synthetic lanes and black line approaches. |
Jcole
Member
Username: Jcole
Post Number: 3971
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 8:55 am: | |
Sorry Danny, it was Catman Dude that asked the question, not you.
"How old can wooden bowling lanes get before they are un-bowlable? After so much annual sanding-down and re-coatings, they are bound to be sanded thin and unusable" |
Jcole
Member
Username: Jcole
Post Number: 3972
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 8:56 am: | |
Catman, here's the answer I got from All experts re: lane sanding
"Danny, I emailed 'All Experts' and asked the Pro how long wooden lanes would last with maintenance sanding and refinishing and here is his answer
"If done well, the sanding process allows wooden lanes to last decades. The sanding will eventually hit the cross synched nails which attach board to board." |
Catman_dude
Member
Username: Catman_dude
Post Number: 314
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 12:39 pm: | |
Thanks, Jcole! I appreciate it. This was a curiosity since I was a kid. I have at one time considered owning a bowling center as on occasion one would be up for sale in northern Michigan. |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 26
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 - 11:37 am: | |
Oak Lanes in Westland still has wood I believe |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 28
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 12, 2008 - 1:28 pm: | |
Shorecrest on the east side closed this season |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 30
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 2:49 am: | |
I grew up bowling here, although not this far back lol I started bowling there about 1965 at age 8
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/amba ssadorlanes.jpg |
Catman_dude
Member
Username: Catman_dude
Post Number: 318
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 7:29 am: | |
I grew up in Westland. I never heard of Oak Lanes there. Where was/is this located in Westland? |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 31
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 2:56 pm: | |
Yes, it is on Middlebelt just north of Ann Arbor Trail. I think there is a Ram's Horn next to it. Owned by Rick Capaldi. His relatives own Westland Bowl. I think it was built back in the late 70's...still wood lanes today |
Catman_dude
Member
Username: Catman_dude
Post Number: 319
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 3:30 pm: | |
Ah, ok. Westland Bowl is still my favorite bowling center even though I live in Virginia. I moved from Westland in 1979 so I guess that is why I haven't heard of the place. |
Reddog289
Member
Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 647
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 4:08 am: | |
Oak Lanes is where the Son in Law bowled like 5 strikes in a row, then a spare then 2 more strikes. normally he bowls like a 100 game, and don,t really like to bowl. I guess it,s the wood lanes. I too grew up round GC/Westland never made it up that way to bowl when i grew up. Westland Bowl, Town & Country , and the Silver Bar were my places. I never bowled at Wayne Bowl till I moved across Glenwood.Funny how things work out. |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 32
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 3:15 pm: | |
How about Satellite Bowl on Michigan....anyone have any photos from there? |
Wlrks
Member
Username: Wlrks
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 5:25 pm: | |
New to the site Anybody have photos from Klee's Ramona or Denby lanes |
Westsideffd
Member
Username: Westsideffd
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 11:52 pm: | |
Anyone remember the name of the bowling alley on schoolcraft just west of evergreen ? |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 33
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 12:45 am: | |
Bowlcraft Lanes...owned by Mike Totsky later became another name |
Zitro
Member
Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2271
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008 - 12:26 pm: | |
Just saw this: Bowler dies after first 300 game. I seem to remember another Detroit area bowler this happened to about 10 years ago. I want to say his name was Bittner does anyone else remember his name?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0 ,2933,445666,00.html |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 34
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 2:02 am: | |
I just found a Detroit Times 1949-1950 All Star Bowlerettes program from Wurm's Recreation on Gratiot. I forgot I had it. I will try and scan some of the pages with the bowling center ads in it. Great nostalgia |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 35
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 2:08 am: | |
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/pg1. jpg |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 36
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 2:15 am: | |
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/pg2. jpg
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/pg3. jpg
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/pg4. jpg |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 37
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 2:18 am: | |
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/pg5. jpg
will do some more tomorrow if you guys want to see more |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 38
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 2:22 am: | |
For anyone that may have missed my earlier post, here is some of the stuff in my basement shrine:
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/base menttwo.jpg
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/base mentten.jpg
http://www.wayne-bowl.com/base mentone.jpg |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 39
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 2:27 am: | |
I heard through the grapevine that Van Dyke Bowl and Shelby Lanes have been sold |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7894
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 7:02 am: | |
Bowldetroit
Shore Crest Lanes shut down for good. It wont re-open until the cookie owner pay his bills and get new synthetic lanes. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7896
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 8:32 am: | |
Bowldetroit
Why is Community Bowling Centers is giving up Van Dyke Bowl and Shelby Lanes? Have they brought new bowling alleys in the midwest or those did those two bowling alleys not make any profits? |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 40
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:02 am: | |
not sure. I heard some ex-employees of Turbo Grips were some of the investors
(Message edited by bowldetroit on November 06, 2008) |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 41
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 12:06 am: | |
One of the centers I work for hosts the Hamtramck Singles Classic. It used to be at Playdium Lanes in Hamtramck but is now at Hazel Park Bowl. $25,000.00 guaranteed 1st place. Anyway, we have the old awning that used to be outside the Playdium. Here is the link:
http://www.hazelpark-bowl.com/ awning1.jpg |
Reddog289
Member
Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 687
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 1:21 am: | |
Bowldetroit, I,m surprised that awning ain,t in your basement. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 7903
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 8:29 am: | |
Bowldetroit,
I've contacted the owner of Van Dyke Bowl and found out that the bowling alley has not been sold to Turbo Grips. |
Zitro
Member
Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2319
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 2:06 pm: | |
I found an article online about the bowler I had mentioned earlier whom I thought had passed away after his first 300.
http://community.seattletimes. nwsource.com/archive/?date=199 21216&slug=1530331 |
Slick
Member
Username: Slick
Post Number: 34
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 2:26 pm: | |
It was a sad day when the Playdium ownership changed hands. I bowled there and secretary of a league for 20 years.
Shut down the lanes and moved the tournament. Almost killed the tournament, it used to be $50K first and 25K for second place.
But I resigned myself to less bowling and less fun.
Money is not the answer to restoring bowling. It encourages sandbagging and the average (175) bowler gets shut out of winning money.
Enough said |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 43
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 2:42 pm: | |
It is a handicap tournament and had 8,000 participants last year over 6.5 months. Not too shabby in these economic times and not everyone was averaging 230 who cashed!!!! Plus, you don't have to win the tournament to make a profit! |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 45
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2008 - 1:50 am: | |
Wayne Bowl, Parkway Lanes, Harbor Lanes and Hazel Park Bowl have great deals for New Years. 39.00 PER LANE (up to 5 bowlers per lane) 1.5 hrs of cosmic bowling, shoe rental, 1 large pizza per lane and one pitcher of pop or beer per lane. 3 different session times. If you have 5 people on a lane, that is only 8.00 per person for New Years! Not too bad. The last session bowlers also get party favors. |
Reddog289
Member
Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 755
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2008 - 2:17 am: | |
Have to tell the family about that deal, maybe by New Years everyone round here will have calmed down.My bowling bag in the living room almost set off a fight. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 8013
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2008 - 8:03 pm: | |
39.00 PER LANE 1.5 hrs of cosmic bowling. That's not a deal. It's highway robbery! I can go Thuderbowl Lanes at Allen Park and pay $6.00 for 3 hrs of either cosmic bowling or regular bowling. |
Jcole
Member
Username: Jcole
Post Number: 4989
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2008 - 9:11 pm: | |
Do you get the pizza and beer thrown in at Thunderbowl? |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 8017
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2008 - 9:18 am: | |
NO |
Turkeycall
Member
Username: Turkeycall
Post Number: 95
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2008 - 11:06 am: | |
I bowled for a couple of years on the Budd League in the '70s at Micelli's. Geez, I can't even remember where it was! Fraser? |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 46
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2008 - 11:24 am: | |
You can't got to Thunderbowl for 6.00 on New Years Eve!!!!!!!!!! Besides, the security guard you will have to hire to guard your car will cost more than 39.00 lol |
Zitro
Member
Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2491
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2008 - 11:30 am: | |
I believe Micelli's was on Garfield in Fraser. |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 47
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 12:59 am: | |
As I mentioned in an earlier post that Danny said wasn't true, Van Dyke Bowl and Shelby Lanes are no longer owned by Mark Voight. I heard that the paperwork was signed today. If you go to their website, those 2 centers are no longer on it. |
Bowldetroit
Member
Username: Bowldetroit
Post Number: 48
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 12:55 am: | |
bump |
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