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Bowlers gathered at a landmark Queens alley Sunday for one final roll after a last-ditch effort to save the neighborhood fixture failed.Woodhaven Lanes in Forest Hills closed for good Sunday after nearly 50 years.
Brunswick Bowling, the company which leased the lanes, wanted a rent cut but building management said mortgage costs were too high.
Rallies over the last couple of months to save the bowling alley struck out.
Efforts to keep the lanes open fell through when negotiations broke down on Friday.
"It's bittersweet. I'm sad you know," said bowler Donna Fazio.
"The owner is so greedy and he thinks he's going to make money in another way, but he's got a steady customer base here. This bowling alley was always so packed," said bowler Louis Molina.
Donna Hibbert, who has been battling cancer for the past year, said her bowling league helped her through difficult times, and that the alley was a home where friendships were made.
"Don't forgot the old friends, make new ones, but keep the old,” said Hibbert. “But life goes on, as I saw last year. I was able to get past things and a lot of people battled things –- break-ups, divorces, losing your job, and you kind of help each other through it."
Chain stores already surround the bowling alley and many believe this spot will soon house another one.
"It's unfortunate and what are we doing building another retail store? How many stores do we need?" said Hibbert.
A lot of people said they will find other places to bowl, but it simply won't be the same.
"You meet people here you see them every year on the league and you bowl with them and you bowl with them and everybody just becomes really good friends,” said bowler Jeff Munoz.
"A lot of memories that won't happen any longer. A lot of kids who will not be able to bowl here, a lot of senior citizens won't finish their lives here," said bowler Jim Santora. "We'll probably go to other leagues, but it's going to be a lot harder for the senior citizens because other bowling houses are much further than here."
Young bowlers who were able to walk to Woodhaven Lanes or get a quick ride will have to explore other options.
"I'm going to miss this place because I bowled my high game here and I always have fun here," said bowler Jameel Jones.
The fun is over, but bowlers said they are walking away with a lot of memories and some even took mementos.
"I got my pin. I have to make sure I walk away with something," said Munoz.
