Bowlers who've been knocking down pins at Cedar Lanes for decades will soon need to find a new place to throw a strike. "I've been coming here 30 years. We liked it because it was really famous at the time," said Cecelia Abdulla of Fresno.
Cedar Lanes will close down operations on June 3rd after property management announced it's clearing out tenants to make room for new developments. "They're like family to me, just like family. Bowlers are like family, they're devastated, everybody is devastated," said Cheryl Lee, a Cedar Lane employee.
The bowling landmark has been a staple in the community since it was built 52 years ago. During its run, it hosted several PBA national tournaments - including this one broadcast in 1992.
Cedar Lanes isn't the only one striking out of business. Half-a-dozen shops located next to the bowling center were also given eviction letters, saying they have to be out by the end of June. "I was just hoping there was a better way that they would have done this to us instead of a letter," said Jimmy Bosquez, owner of Jimmy's Sports World. He has less than 2 months to move out his sports shop but says being next to Cedar Lanes helped his business. "They would have leagues, they would have tournaments on Saturdays and Sundays so we use to get people that would be in travel leagues. They'd come in," said Bosquez.
Wathen Group - the property owner sent Action News a statement saying, "After a great deal of thought, investigation and outlook to the future, the ownership has come to the difficult decision that it is time for the property to be redeveloped so that it may begin a new history."
"I have to get over the shock, get a few days, a few weeks to figure out what I'm going to do," said Lee. People who've made Cedar Lanes part of their lives are still trying to grasp what the community will be without the historic fixture.
