Johnston's Town Hall Lanes to close after 60 years of family entertainment
JOHNSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Saturday was Caleb Mallet's last birthday party at Town Hall Lanes in Johnston.
His dad told NBC 10 News the family has been scoring strikes and spares there for years.
They changed plans for the big day once they heard the news that the iconic spot is closing in a few weeks.
"[It's] unfortunate they are closing. We wish they weren't," his dad, Steven Mallet, said.
Town Hall Lanes has been on Atwood Avenue for 60 years.
Staff says a Credit Union bank is being built in the alley's spot in the plaza.
"The piping, the plumbing that's underneath the building is not split into two, so when they have to shut the water off for the bank, our fire sprinklers will have to shut off, so we won't be able to operate," said employee Lori Richardson.
The alley has already been struggling, having to scale back its hours since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Maintenance on the building has been rough," Richardson told NBC 10.
It's a long-standing tradition for birthday parties and senior leagues.
"I have seen the kids that were bowling in the kids league when I first got here, they are all grown now with children themselves, married, and now I'm seeing the other kids growing up," said General Manager Paul Norato.
Management says the owner of the building has allowed the alley to stay open for a few extra weeks so leagues can finish up.
After that, seniors will be throwing strikes at other spots, like Meadowbrook Lanes in Warwick.
"It's a sad, sad situation that's going on here," Norato said.
Families agreed it's tough to see a past time go in the gutter.
"It's going to be unfortunate that we aren't going to be able to pass on the memories to my children's children," Mallet said.
If you want to get one last trip down memory lane, the alley will be open until May 12.