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Woodhaven Lanes Goes in the Gutter After 49 Years
By
John Del Signore
Published May 8, 2008
Modified May 8, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 8, 2008
Modified May 8, 2008
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Photo courtesy jenie212.
Woodhaven Lanes, the classic Forest Hills bowling alley, will close in less than two weeks, NY1 has learned. But this latest loss of a beloved NYC institution wasn’t due to the obscene rents that are sucking all the character out of our city, but rather a multiplying swarm of radioactive scorpions that have nested in the lanes’ shoes and balls. Kidding, of course it’s the obscene rent. Owner Jim Santora tells NY1 the lanes will probably be divvied up into some sweet retail outlets:
We have a lot of places to shop, but we don't have places to entertain ourselves, have a good time, and to meet with family. That's what bowlers are, family. I had 80-year-old women and men crying on my shoulders when they found out about this, and I had 2 and 3-year-old children crying as well.
Most devastated are the league bowlers for whom Woodhaven is a home away from home. Bowler Linda Raia lamented, "It's like the almighty dollar wins again. What about having a heart?" These real estate management companies are nihilists, Raia; they believe in nothing.
Tagged
alley
bowling
Brunswick
closed
closing
cost
lanes
new york
rent
shutting
woodhaven
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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