I’m currently writing a story about the old Imperial Lanes bowling alley over on Summer Ave. The place is closing after 48 years. It’ll be torn down and probably turned into another strip mall, according to manager Bob McKenney, who started working there when he was 16. Now he’s 49.
Yesterday I spent a few hours with some of the alley’s old-timers, men who’ve been bowling here since the place opened in 1958. These guys come three or four times a week to bowl and hang out.
No one wants the place to close down… but another strip mall would probably generate more money than a bowling alley that charges only $1.50 per game (during the summer).
Plus people don’t bowl like they used to. When I showed up Tuesday afternoon, maybe 5 of the 48 lanes were in use.
Are people upset about this? If a beloved place (I’m also thinking about Libertyland) doesn’t get the same kind of business it used to, does it make sense to tear it down?
August 9th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
I understand the whole idea of business, if it doesn’t make money, then replace it with something that does. However, I’m curious as to the possibility of something in Memphis being somewhat sacred! I guess we just don’t get out like we used to!