Sad day, our amf is closing it's doors may 10!!

[Aslan]

Before i moved to Illinois, that was when i found out they closed down King Louie's, was shocked to find out about that. That place had so much history including being the first alley to use Computerized Scorekeeper. How many more have been closed down or is going to close down?

The famous Hollywood Star lanes got tore down in 2002....filming location of the Big Lebowski. Tore it down to build an elementary school.

I believe the alley used in the filming of Uncle Buck is still open in Cicero, IL. Stormed1's stomping ground.

[tccstudent]

Maybe Barthlomy will buy it he has a few in ok and a few in Mo already

it would be much better then an AMF center if they took over

[Wigman]

Well it does suck for Kansas City area to have lanes that are closing. I used to live in KC area, I remember the older lanes, I preferred bowling at these than the ones that were cropping up such as one next to Shawnee Mission Park by I-35 and Incredabowl on 135th and 69 highway, prices there were silly, and league bowlers were having hard time trying to set up Leagues at those. Last time i was at those, their "Shops" only sold plastic and mass produced bowling shoes and cheap bags. Some of those lanes decided to build additions to the existing to set up bigger arcades or stuff in a mini golf course.

Last time i was in KC i drove past King Louie's, i think they took all the wood off from the bowling lanes and left them to rot in the parking lot from looks of it.

[JaMau24]

Maybe Barthlomy will buy it he has a few in ok and a few in Mo already

it would be much better then an AMF center if they took over

If you have a way of letting him/them (whoever or whatever Barhlomy is) know about it, please do! :P

[MICHAEL]

Maybe Barthlomy will buy it he has a few in ok and a few in Mo already

it would be much better then an AMF center if they took over

You want to be Iceman's BEST FRIEND??? Get a hold of this guy, and tell him, Iceman, and Jason will help Run the Place!! (

[MICHAEL]

ding ding ding!!

The bottom line is, Bowlmor is wrong. They use studies put out my groups with a vested interest in expanding casual bowling...to justify that bowling is a white collar recreational activity and leagues and blue collar bowling is a thing of the past. Yet every single center...that has cut their hours, raised their prices, and pushed league bowlers aside in favor of more cosmic/glow/recreational bowling has failed. There are certain centers in big cities, affluent cities, where the model works....but they don't understand that and they think the Wall Street crowd is the same as the Wal Mart crowd.

It's sad. I see a lot of AMF centers...centers with a lot of history...and you see them trying to implement Bowlmor's model/initiatives...and it's like watching 3-legged dog try to win a greyhound race. Doomed to fail. And watch out Ice....the downside to them failing....is whatever following they DID have...now will be crowing nearby centers. Suddenly being able to get practice time in on a weeknight or getting a lane on the weekends....you're gonna be on a waiting list.

AMFs not opening during the week/daytime (many have started not to)...HORRIBLE idea. You lose any chance of your seniors leagues...which are very popular during the weekdays. And you make it nearly impossible for league bowlers to practice. Weekday nights are still somewhat crowded at most centers....and league members can't practice on weekends when prices are through the roof and the lane conditions are abysmal.

SOME VERY GOOD POINTS ASLAN!! My thoughts exactly! I like your Wall Street, Walmart example!!! LMAO!! I will live,,,,,, JUST A GREAT place to bowl, and even though I am new to the sport,,, I have had some GREAT EXPERIENCES there! Maybe someone with some bucks, will do the RIGHT THING and put a little money in this wonderful establishment, and re-open-it!!!

I would even consider giving the new owner FREE ICE!!!!! iceman

[mc_runner]

You're gonna see a lot of the old AMF alleys struggle and close in the next couple of years. The changes BowlMor brought in is not something that is going to work all over the country - it's really surprising and a shame that they didn't do seemingly ANY demographic studies on what they got into before going and making huge changes.

I'm in CT and there are a few "boutique" style bowling alleys. However, even up here they don't attract the leagues that much (one in the casino doesn't even have leagues... and you can't bring your own ball. Not exactly something any serious bowler would go to!). I'd go out on a limb and say the vast majority of league bowlers around here prefer the "functional" alleys vs the fancy stuff - even the casual leagues.

Shame about your alley, Iceman. Hopefully someone buys it and opens it back up as an independent alley - there is hope, that's what happened at my place.

[The Maven]

I feel for you. Many of the centers that I bowled at are gone forever alone with the memories of accomplishments that you can go back and touch.

Unfortunately many of the bowling centers we grew up with occupied what became prime commercial real-estate. The revenue received from the bowling business paled in comparison with what could be obtained otherwise. Also most centers were built with a poorly constructed shell which deteriorated rapidly and cost a lot to maintain. Seldom can you walk into a center that is about 15 to 20 years or older without seeing signs of decay. Unless there is outside largess, there is not much money there to make the needed improvements. In my area alone, 10 to 12 centers have closed in the past 35 years.

[MICHAEL]

I feel for you. Many of the centers that I bowled at are gone forever alone with the memories of accomplishments that you can go back and touch.

Unfortunately many of the bowling centers we grew up with occupied what became prime commercial real-estate. The revenue received from the bowling business paled in comparison with what could be obtained otherwise. Also most centers were built with a poorly constructed shell which deteriorated rapidly and cost a lot to maintain. Seldom can you walk into a center that is about 15 to 20 years or older without seeing signs of decay. Unless there is outside largess, there is not much money there to make the needed improvements. In my area alone, 10 to 12 centers have closed in the past 35 years.

[MICHAEL]

Their was a clause in the building contract that specificly states that NO OTHER person on organization can use the building as a bowling alley after AMF closes its doors! ( THAT SUCKS!!) GREED, it kills me!!!

They already are making plans on where equipment and parts are going to other AMF's!! Greedy bass-turds, (yes correct spelling),,, ( I think it might have Sold!
I was thinking about buying it with Jason, and Gene!!! Now that will not happen!!

LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!