GREEN TWP. -- It appears the 52nd year at Western Bowl will be its last.
The owners of Western Bowl have decided to close the West Side mainstay May 1, confirmed employee Jason Vandermark, who has spent a decade working at the bowling alley.
On a "sort of" busy Saturday night, Vandermark said the economy, the smoking ban and a lagging interest in the sport are to blame.
"There aren't as many people coming through the doors lately, that's for sure," Vandermark said.
Earlier this year the Hoinke family considered selling the property, but decided against it. They thought of closing up to 20 of the 68 lanes, but didn't.
At one point, Tracy Hoinke told The Enquirer: "The Western Bowl is not closing, and we have no plans to close."
But that was before the stock market crash and the aftermath that has skyrocketed unemployment.
Western Bowl, 6383 Glenway Ave., is known for the Hoinke Classic. Erv Hoinke Sr., founded the tournament in 1943 to promote bowling. The prizes then were World War II war bonds and stamps.
For the past 20 years, the tournament has put up at least $1 million in prize money.
It's unclear whether the restaurant Cancun, located in the same building, will close as well.
"A lot of people have been calling since they heard the news," Vandermark said. "We'll be losing a great asset to this community. It's a shame."
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2...WS01/901180423