Sunset Bowl, which opened its 26 lanes and diner in January, 1957, has since become a Ballard institution, and will soon become a memory. The one-acre-plus site and building will not be spared as it was sold to Avalon Ballard LLC for over $13 million, and in mid-April will close to make way for apartments.
The property, at 1420 Northwest Market Street, is to some area residents a throwback to the good old days, and more than just a bowling alley. As the sun is setting on Denny's Restaurant, 492-feet west of the bowling alley, the community will now have to adjust to the latest casualty of the Ballard boom.
Verl Lowry has managed Sunset Bowl for 27 of his 31 years there, and does not know what he will do next. "It's too bad," he said melancholically. "This is a part of Ballard. It's closing is a shock to the bowling community.
"We have a lot of seniors who spend a lot of hours here. It's a family activity, and when they move into all those new condos, their kids won't know anything about bowling." Lowry recalled bowling at his future place of business at age 11 when it first opened.
Employees were notified of the sale January 3rd. Sunset Bowl has 50 employees. Nine have worked there for over 25 years.
"Those are the ones I feel sorry for," said Lowry. "We're very successful, but bowling centers take up a big parcel of land. They're a target for new construction."
He pointed out that Lucky Strike, a national chain of bowling alleys, just opened their newest facility in Bellevue's Lincoln Square. But, he said, it is marketed as a glitzy cocktail lounge with bowling lanes installed almost as an afterthought. "They offer no leagues, and don't really treat bowling as a sport."
According to its national Web site, "Lucky Strike Entertainment is America's premier location for dining, lounging, and bowling." It posts a complicated dress code that is "strictly enforced."
Lowry's assistant, Robin Schuy, said he has only worked at the Sunset Bowl for two years. "But in that time I've seen the mom and pop operations leave and Ballard becoming more corporate," he said. "Its whole personality has changed. I have no idea what I'll do. Right now my goal is to take care of the other employees until the bitter end."
Steve Shaw may be reached at steves@robinsonnews.com
