The ad with the great architectural rendering above appeared in the 1961 Lorain phone book. Note that the special Enterprise 4040 phone number reflected the 40 Brunswick pinsetters.
Turnpike Lanes opened in 1961. Here’s another ad, this time from the Chronicle-Telegram on January 12, 1962. It reveals Dave Marks as the Manager.
It looked like Turnpike Lanes had all the ingredients for success. But an article in the September 13, 1962 edition of the Chronicle pointed out a discouraging trend when it came to bowling: people weren’t bowling as often, with a reported drop in the number of local leagues. The article noted, “One reason lies in the rapidity with which bowling emporiums have been built in the past 10 years. The result has been a slicing up of patronage among the houses, with a couple houses losing customers every time another is built.
“The opening of Shoreway Lanes, a 24-alley plant in Shoreway Shopping Center, Sheffield Lake, has affected the patronage at arenas in Lorain and Avon Lake.”
Although the same 1962 article observed that Turnpike Lanes had scheduled 36 leagues, which was more than the previous year, bowling was not destined to last at that important intersection with the coming of Midway Mall.
Turnpike Lanes continued for about three more more years before Furniture Land took over its address in the city directory around 1966. Perhaps the opening of the Mall simply made the property too valuable to waste on a sport that locally seemed to be declining in popularity.
A Meyer Goldberg grocery store soon joined Furniture Land at the former Turnpike Lanes location, since the building and property were large enough to accommodate more than one company.
A variety of businesses called that location home over the years. I’m sure many of you remember when Booksellers was in the western portion of the building from 1986 to 2001. Thinking back at that book-crammed space, I can now visualize a bowling alley (with its multiple levels) there.
Today the nicely remodeled building is home to J&M Interiors and Design.
My Mom bowled there. They had a blind bowling league. Using a railing to assist down the lane. She was a pretty good bowler and had a write up in the Journal. I have here somewhere and trophies. By the date it closed I had to be under 10. The place seemed huge and had a play room w toys. Visited the Bookseller many times. It still had the few steps down to what were the alleys to mounds of paperbacks. Had tried to picture the bowling alley but its clearer in my mind. Rae
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember it being Turnpike Lanes when we'd go down 57 to Elyria, although I spent a lot of time (and money) at Booksellers.
ReplyDelete...I'm old enough to remember Turnpike Lanes - we had to pass it going to the Pike whenever we went to visit my grandmother in Cleveland, and I definitely remember Furniture Land and Booksellers. My question is about the 'New Rt 57' mentioned in the ad - was there an 'old' 57, or was this just a rebuilt 57?
ReplyDeleteMike, I think it's because Lake Avenue going into Elyria used to be State Route 57 before the newer version was built in the 1950s.
ReplyDeleteAfter Furnitureland it was Johnathans furniture with that huge rocking horse in the store. They moved there after the Zayre/Ames plaza was demolished for Lowe’s.
ReplyDeleteTurnpike Lanes had some of the best pool tables around and were pretty lax about the Age 18 to play rule.
ReplyDeleteJust came across this cool article. My grandfather was Dave Marks, the owner/manager. I wish I was old enough to have gone there. I still have a bunch of drink swizzle sticks that say Turnpike Lanes on them.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, Dave Marks was one of the owners, but there were 3 others; Dave's brother Ted Marks, Joe Sistek, and my dad Al Ettkin.
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