sad, sad, sad

this news seriously bums me out. just last night i was reading some "sound-off" thing from a couple years ago about good establishments that had closed. many were before my time. but those that i remember really were a loss for this city.

here's another one for the books.

sunset bowl is closing.

sunset bowl is the first place i ever remember bowling in seattle. when i was at spu, we used to go fairly often. 24 hours. you can't find good 24 hour, all ages spots like that.

a couple years ago i joined their thursday night league. i bowled there regularly. then last year i started bowling through underdog. i'm in between leagues with them right now.

it's a place i can go, bring my columbia 10 lb red ball, put on my bright white bowling shoes, drink a manny's pale ale, and try my best. it's an activity i can do well in. or do terribly in. but either way, it's fun, low-key and social.

i like that it is pretty divey. i think it is hilarious, and yet very cool, that it has free wi-fi. why? why do these cool establishments have to go?

obviously, my line of work could appear to be a conflict of interest. but, i'm sorry, there's a big difference between developing parking lots and old, defunct warehouses and taking away a cool spot like this. this is a thriving destination spot in ballard. why can't they take out the burger king and mc donald's instead? or one of the redundant auto places?

a place like sunset bowl should be a neighborhood amenity. it should be a reason to move to ballard. you take away the character and you're no longer selling ballard. you're just selling gentrification.

boo.