Michelle Feldman, right, sits at the bar of Tidal Wave at Falcon Lanes in Auburn with her prized Indianapolis Colts bowling ball during a cleaning-out of the bowling alley on Saturday. Feldman, a star bowler who won 14 professional titles and was Bowling Digest's Bowler of the Year in 2002, owns the business. It closed in January, and Feldman announced Friday that it would not reopen. "I've met so many people here," she said. "It's sad, but I can't afford to keep it running."
Kevin Rivoli, The Citizen
Longtime bowler Donald Young, 84, holds his bowling ball as he reminisces about the time he worked as a pinsetter at Falcon Lanes 70 years ago. "I'm going to really miss it," he said.
Kevin Rivoli, The Citizen
Auburn bowling alley Falcon Lanes closed in January, and announced Friday that it would not reopen. The 16-lane alley was previously named Polish Falcons Nest 74, which had been in operation for more than 100 years.
The 75 Pulaski St. bowling alley had been closed since early January. According to previous posts on the bowling alley's Facebook page, ownership had been working with the city's Code Enforcement Office and the Auburn Fire Department to bring the building into compliance following problems with its heating system.Â
Friday, the bowling alley posted that it will not reopen, saying it was not affordable.Â
"I would like to thank you all for your years of loyalty and patronage of my business," the post continued. "I cherish all the lasting friendships we've made through the years."Â Â
Bowlers were allowed into the alley one last time on Saturday to empty their lockers, using only flashlights.Â
Longtime bowler Donald Young, 84, talked with The Citizen about working as a pinsetter some 70 years ago when he was in high school. He's bowled at Falcon Lanes his whole life.
"I'm going to really miss it," he said.
According to The Citizen archives, Gary Feldman and his late wife, Linda, purchased Falcon Lanes in 2007 after previously operating Cedar House Lanes in Skaneateles. Gary continues to own the building, while his granddaughter Michelle owns the business, which includes bar and kitchen Tidal Wave. Michelle is a star bowler who won 14 professional titles and was Bowling Digest's 2002 Bowler of the Year.
The 16-lane alley was previously named Polish Falcons Nest 74, which had been in operation for more than 100 years when the Feldmans bought it. It was first located on Washington Street.
Along with bowling, Falcon Lanes hosted live music, trivia nights and other community events. It was the last bowling alley in the city of Auburn, with the closest being Starlite Lanes in Aurelius.
Gallery: Falcon Lanes in Auburn opens its doors one last time for bowlers to empty lockers
Michelle Feldman, right, sits at the bar of Tidal Wave at Falcon Lanes in Auburn with her prized Indianapolis Colts bowling ball during a cleaning-out of the bowling alley on Saturday. Feldman, a star bowler who won 14 professional titles and was Bowling Digest's Bowler of the Year in 2002, owns the business. It closed in January, and Feldman announced Friday that it would not reopen. "I've met so many people here," she said. "It's sad, but I can't afford to keep it running."
Longtime bowler Donald Young, 84, holds his bowling ball as he reminisces about the time he worked as a pinsetter at Falcon Lanes 70 years ago. "I'm going to really miss it," he said.
Auburn bowling alley Falcon Lanes closed in January, and announced Friday that it would not reopen. The 16-lane alley was previously named Polish Falcons Nest 74, which had been in operation for more than 100 years.