Whitestone Lane could be in the final frame.
A landmark bowling alley in Queens is the subject of city plans to demolish its lanes to make way for a massive new housing development. – Regulars at the popular spot are stunned to see it now in ruins.
“As a bowler, this is not good,” said Jose Zambrano, a former American Airlines employee who has frequented the now-abandoned Flushing hotspot for 20 years.
“It’s like they’ve taken away our food and our playground. It’s devastating to me,” said Zambrano, 62. “It’s been here for a long time. I’ve been going here for the last 20 years.”
“Where are you going?” asked another regular customer, construction worker Sean Roll, 38. “This is my go-to place. I live in Brooklyn. I drive here for peace of mind and relaxation. It’s like family.”
Built in the 1960s, the family-owned, 48-lane bowling alley once capitalized on the sport’s popularity, becoming a bustling recreational destination for Big Apple families and bowlers of all levels.
It was open 24 hours a day until the pandemic hit.
While the inside of Whitestone Lanes is shiny and well-maintained, the cracked façade outside speaks to the bowling alley’s faded glory.
In February, the City Council voted to rezone the site, the final hurdle to building a nine-story apartment building with 415 units, including 113 affordable housing units.
The plan includes more than 14,000 square feet of public space and recreational facilities.
“The bowling alley is finished,” City Councilwoman Vicki Paladino told The Post on Wednesday. “It’s closing. The owner has sold the property.”
“If you want to bowl, you have to go to Long Island. You have to go to Long Island to see a good movie,” said Paladino (D-Queens), who represents the neighborhood near the bowling alley. “Growing up, I bowled in two leagues. It was fun.” [but] It’s a disappearing sport.”
If you ask regular customers, that’s not the case.
“This is where my family comes to bowl, so we can’t close it,” said Lisa Moon, a 43-year-old mother from Queens. “I came here before I got married, and I came here after I got married and brought all three of my kids. They love bowling, and this is the closest place we have.” – Great place.
“There’s nowhere else to go,” she added. “It’s really tragic because this is where I grew up. It’s a good place for kids to play sports.”
Patrick Ewem, a married insurance adjuster, was on board. – Even though he’d only been there twice.
“We really need something like this,” said Eweme, 34. “It’s fun to bring the family here.
“This is a place I hope will stay open and I can continue to come here with my family,” he added. “I want it to survive. It’s a great place.”
