Tower Lanes For Sale (28. November 2007, 15:00 by Erik) ~ Is this the end of civil society?
Have you ever bowled a perfect 300? Yeah, neither have we.
But we still find it worth noting that one of the few bowling alleys left in Tacoma is on the market. It’s priced at $3,000,000 … which we’re pretty sure means it’s a tear down so someone can build more strip malls.
Guess we’ll have to get our cosmic bowling at Chalet Bowl.
(Thanks, Morgan!)
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The closing of bowling lanes is an important cultural indicator.
I used to live in Ballard, a neighborhood in Seattle that used to be gritty, blue collar, working class – not unlike Tacoma. When I lived there people would say taht it was going to be the next hot area. I didn’t believe them. Now, with two bowling lanes slated for demolition, I am a believer.
Could the closing of the 6th Ave lanes indicate greater change on the horizon?
Related reading:
Bowling Alone : The Collapse and Revival of American
Community
Quote from the book:
“Television, two-career families, suburban sprawl,
generational changes in values—these and other
changes in American society have meant that fewer and
fewer of us find that the League of Women Voters, or
the United Way, or the Shriners, or the monthly bridge
club, or even a Sunday picnic with friends fits the
way we have come to live. Our growing social-capital
deficit threatens educational performance, safe
neighborhoods, equitable tax collection, democratic
responsiveness, everyday honesty, and even our health
and happiness.”
———————————-
Also
Bowling pin splits for a new home – Leilani Lanes fixture to be reset in Clearview
“McAuliffe’s collection at his son’s business also
includes an Ivar’s Clam sign, a biplane, 76 gas
station ball sign and pieces from Seattle’s former
Music Hall Theater.”
1 | Posted by morgan | Nov 28, 06:24 PM
Even if I wasn’t going to build a strip mall there, I’d consider tearing it down, too. A wood building that big with no sprinklers? I smell a bonfire!
2 | Posted by sjducky | Nov 28, 06:29 PM
Morgan,
I don’t think that a bowling alley is necessarily a cultural indicator.
As Putnam says in his book, bowling has been growing in popularity for years in many different classes. His point is that people are bowling alone (hence the title) and not in leagues. Not that bowling itself is a cultural indicator.
As to the specific blue collar/gentrification issue, I would guess that the closing of old bowling alleys are not necessarily indicators of a cultural shift. In the case of Tacoma, the biggest and best bowling alley is Narrows and the smaller alleys probably just can’t keep competing. Or maybe Tower is doing fine, but if their land is worth 3 million, why would you keep operating the alley?
3 | Posted by Erik Hanberg | Nov 28, 06:45 PM
Before it is gone, please check out the miniature golf at the Tower Lanes, it is a blast from the past and also a bit strange.
4 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Nov 28, 07:12 PM
The people that owned the old race track, Longacres, did the same thing. Horse racing has been on the wane and the land became too valuable. The family that owned the track sold it to Boeing. There is still horse racing in western Washington at Emerald Downs but they are suffering along with the rest of the industry. Horse racing is not what it once was, I guess neither is bowling. On the other hand, pool halls were in decline for a long time and many pool halls closed down. Seems to me there is a resurgence in pool playing these days if Tacoma is any indicator. The more things change the more they end up staying the same.
6 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Nov 28, 09:17 PM
Most of the older bowling lanes are quite large. With fewer people taking part in organized bowling leagues, the lanes become too expensive to operate… unless you change your business model. Bowling still has a certain kitch appeal and with it a minor trend of bars opening in conjunction with bowling. Witness Seattle’s Garage Billiards & Bowl:
http://garagebilliards.com/
(I still think the entire Highland Hills area needs to be bulldozed and started over with a clean slate.)
7 | Posted by morgan | Nov 28, 09:55 PM
Cultural indicator? Maybe, but not in this town. Narrows is sandwiched between Fircrest and UP! And what was the one that used to be right next to the dump? Long gone, though next to Fircrest, also bordered by Oakland. Doesn’t get much more blue collar.
8 | Posted by Christy | Nov 29, 01:02 AM
I’ll really be sad to see tower lanes go. I don’t know anywhere else where I can go for jello shots and minigolf under one roof.
9 | Posted by Karin | Nov 29, 08:15 AM
Oh great. Now where I am gonna go to rent shoes for date night?
10 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Nov 29, 10:30 AM
Once you play bowling on a Wii game system, you’ll never leave your house again. What we need are more food delivery services that come to our homes. That way we can close down old restaurants and corner markets too!
11 | Posted by Mouse | Nov 29, 12:07 PM
Tower Lanes has the best indoor mini golf in the area (although the blue water is somewhat disconcerting). I’m going to miss you, Putt-Putt.
12 | Posted by wheels | Nov 30, 10:44 AM
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