Author Topic: AMF in NYC (Read 2081 times)

Airplay · « **on:** March 09, 2005, 01:59:33 PM »

I was shocked today when I was told that the AMF house I bowl in on Wed. is going to close because it was bought by King Kullen ( supermarket chain ) for $10 million. I was told that we may not even be able to finish the season. I was told that they want to convert most of the AMF lanes to rock n bowl type of facilities, sort of like Jillians. I was also told that they want to phase out League bowling in general. Totally eliminate leagues on thurs. through Sun.
The most shocking thing is that this is an AMF house that is getting good business. They always have people bowling there, whether it's for league or fun. This was the last place I thought would close. I understand that a food corp. bought AMF. They are going to also take out lanes from another facility and add a restaurant. I am told that they want more cosmic bowling and less league bowling. I understand they want to eliminate league bowler discounts.
I don't know about what's happenning in your town, but That would kill league bowling on Long Island. I wonder where all the leagues in the house are going to go? I am told that we would need to get refunds. I am already paid up for the year! For those that live in the NY area the lanes I am talking about is Bellerose Lanes on Jericho Turnpike. There is a good pro shop inside that will be displaced. Many people confused tonight at league. If it could happen in NYC at Lanes that get great business, then it certainly could happen in your town.
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Bowl to win Baby

dpunky · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2005, 11:53:12 AM »

Airplay,

My AMF center in Alexandria, VA (AMF Seminary Lanes -- formerly Fair Lanes Seminary), is closing at the first week of May. I was shocked to hear this since these lanes were supposed to start renovations in time for next fall's league season. AMF Seminary Lanes was on a year to year lease, and decided not to renew the lease for next year. My league and other leagues were affected since we now have to cut our season short by about 4 weeks. My center was too receiving good business from both leagues and open play. This center was listed as an official PBA practice facility. The only things that this center suffered from was worn down lanes, pinsetters, ball returns, etc. This house was far better than any Bowl America center that I've bowled in. I'm not here to knock Bowl America, but when you play at an AMF center at least in the DC metro area you notice a difference. Luckily, my league is trying to relocate to a newly renovated bowling center that is not part of the AMF network. Hopefully that will work out for the best. I'll just miss this center since this is where I really grew up as a bowler

dpunky

th3jumpoff · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2005, 01:04:25 PM »

ive heard about that house but never went, isnt it pretty cheap over there per game?

BigHorhn · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2005, 01:10:16 PM »

I don't know what kind of lanes these are here in Cleveland, Oh but, Cedar Center lanes is closing because of a new strip mall and, I heard Ambassador Lanes Bedford is closing also. Roomer is the owner of the land that the bowling alley sits on sold out to WalMart. That will cut out two of the centrally located bowling centers in the area. Bowling is already expensive these days but look out in the future. All those leagues will have to fold or try and relocate to the Big houses (80-100 lanes). I guess there will be bowling leagues going on 24/7 soon. The good thing is that there wil always be a league to bowl in but, at what cost and how far will you have to go.

FBM357 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2005, 02:00:41 PM »

Airplay,

Are you serious? Bellrose is closing? WOW!!! I live about 10 minutes away. Real shame. Same thing happened many years ago to Falcarose (in 5 Towns). Don't think anything really came of the building (shrugging shoulders). Well, if you're willing to travel, you can go to Van Wyck Lanes (AMF). Weds. and Sun. nights it's $10 til closing. All the games you can throw during that time. Begins at 9 pm. There's another house under new management but I don't know when they're going to reopen. International Lanes (off Elmont Ave, not far from Old Dutch Broadway). Other than that, you probably have to hit Hempstead or Garden City.

Heck, Bellrose use to be an 'action' house. If you don't want to bowl at Van Wyck, you can always hit Woodhaven Lanes. They're still busy from what I understand.
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"The eye is blind if the mind is ABSENT!!!!

VBP-Dustin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2005, 02:23:57 PM »

AMF WESTERN IS ST LOUIS CLOSED AND THE REASON BEING IT WAS THE ONLY AMF CENTER IN ST LOUIS THAT OWNED THE BUILDING AND LAND AMF NEEDS MONEY BAD I GUESS
SORRY FOR CAPS IM AT WORK
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brunswick absolute inferno 209.95
brunswick white viz a ball 109.95
brunswick staff shirt 35.95
brunswick towel 10.95
being apart of the NATION PRICELESS

FBM357 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2005, 02:29:48 PM »

Hammer,

I haven't bowled @ Woodhaven in a minute, but it's a tough house when I did. Was known to make a 200+ bowler -> 180's or so. Don't exactly know what kind of pattern they use other than plenty of oil.

Airplay · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2005, 04:01:31 PM »

FBM357
I already bowl at Garden City on Monday. I bowl at Bellerose on Wednesday.
Bellerose has wood lanes. The shot is way outside at about the 4-5 board at the breakpoint. If you can get the ball out there with enough revs on it you can score high. The problem is that since it's wood, the shot changes quickly. The second game is a big transition game in a three game league set. I normally switch from my medium oil ball to my light oil ball for the second and third game. It really is a lefty house. If you are lefty with some revs, you kill Bellerose. They are supposed to have a big meeting on Monday. I'm sure this will throw a monkey wrench into all of the leagues there that didn't see it coming.
Van Wyck Lanes was mentioned a lot, but I come from Suffolk. I really don't want to go any further west. I grew to really like the league I'm in. Too bad. I will probably switch to Sheridan or East Meadow next year.
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Bowl to win Baby

BowlerKidR · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2005, 04:14:42 PM »

hey airplay, i bowl at bellerose....whats ur name and what league do you bowl in?
And u say that bellerose is being bought out by a super market?
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High Game- 287
3 Game High Series- 808
4 Game High Series- 901
I LIKE TO BOWL

Edited on 3/10/2005 5:12 PM

BowlerKidR · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2005, 04:56:12 PM »

oo yeah, and where did u hear this from? u hear it from the people at bellerose? i dont see why they would remodel the place if it were to bo sold to a supermarket. Becuase if this IS true... i am out of a job!!! i work in the pro shop
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High Game- 287
3 Game High Series- 808
4 Game High Series- 901
I LIKE TO BOWL

Edited on 3/10/2005 6:05 PM

nycbowler · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2005, 05:00:41 PM »

whoa FBM357 when i bowl at woodhaven i find the shot pretty easy and most people whom i bowl with there... but wow Bellrose is closing... i bowl at amf 34th ave lane and i wonder if that's the next one to close because the business is booming in there, especially on weekends with open bowlers and their leagues are packed throughout the week especially the National Invitational League on thursday night where you find some of the best bowlers around bowl in that league.. for ie: Joe Tusa... and Tony Gee who just won the long island masters

Author Topic: AMF in NYC (Read 2081 times)

Airplay

AMF in NYC

dpunky

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th3jumpoff

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BigHorhn

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FBM357

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VBP-Dustin

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FBM357

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Airplay

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BowlerKidR

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BowlerKidR

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nycbowler

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