Bowlmor can't turn ever single bowling center into a boutique center so I don't think you need to worry too much.   If anything a reduction of bowling centers might help to strengthen bowling leagues in the area where there are more than 1 center.  For instance some leagues that are 8 to 10 teams might see an influx of bowlers from the closed center to bring leagues to 12 to 14 teams.   This may benefit AMF and their competitors in the bowling center industry. 

Some people will quit bowling because the center closed and that will always be the negative effect of a perfectly good center closing or become a boutique. 

The big picture is that AMF has too many bowling centers and some of them probably will make very good boutique centers while others will probably be open for regular business.

The only thing to worry about is Bowlmor and their experience with real world bowling centers.  It would appear the company doesn't really have much experience with running a daily bowling center out side of the boutique business.

I know the name is going to change at my center and also AMF closed allot of the centers in the DFW already... I really dont see a new angle they can really go...

Nervous that they might close the center or convert it to one those party central locations.  Not many options left here in NoCal.  We already left a closed AMF center and our bowlers have to be convinced every year that the distance to the center we are at now is just a little further drive.

Where I live, we now have 3 centers owned by AMF (AMF Thruway, AMF Airport, and AMF Lancaster).  The other places that AMF owned in the past have been sold to independent groups. 

AMF Thruway has a huge league following during the week, lots of tournaments, and has hosted several PBA shows in the past.  56 lanes of HPL synthetics, and a very busy pro shop combined with it's location are huge.  AMF Airport is their largest house around here with 66 wood lanes, divided into 4 different sections.  This place also holds a lot of leagues and tournaments.

AMF Lancaster has 36 lanes, is their oldest house, and has been rumored to be on the chopping block.  Location is ok, but it never has had the number of leagues or recreational bowlers that Thruway or Airport both have.

In either case, this makes me wonder what may potentially happen.  If Bowlmor were to convert Thruway or Airport, it would be a disaster.  Lancaster...that could be a possibility as a last ditch effort to revive that place.