SEAFORD, Del. -- A bowling alley that's been a staple in Seaford for more than half a century announced Thursday its closing its doors in a matter of days.
The Seaford Bowling Lanes in the Nylon Capital Shopping Center has been operating for 58 years and won't be around to see year 59 once its lanes permanently shut down on Sunday Oct. 18.
Residents and local bowling leagues were shocked to hear the news Thursday, including Howard Savage.
"It was shock to me when we came in and the lady at the register said, 'Hey we're closing Sunday.' I said, 'Wow!' It was really a shock," said Savage.
Savage is with Delmarva Community Services and was at the bowling alley looking after seniors with disabilities who use the facility to practice for the Special Olympics.
"Now we have to find somewhere else to go," said Savage. "This program helps the individual with their bowling. We've been doing it for at least 12 years."
One of the program's star bowlers is Leroy Faulkner who has brought his own bowling ball and shoes for years.
Faulkner and his teammates aren't the only people about to be displaced.
One worker has been at the alley full-time for 48 years.
Seaford Bowling Lanes isn't the only bowling alley in Sussex County that might shut its doors soon.
Pete Bryan, the owner of Bryan's Bowling Center in Laurel, says the alley is for sale and has been for the last six months.
It opened seven years ago attracting a number of bowling leagues to travel from as far as Salisbury to play.
Bryan says he wants to sell the business so he and his wife can retire.
Bryan says if the business is sold, the fate of the bowling alley and what could become of it would not be his concern. The decision to keep the facility a bowling alley or turn it into something else, would be up to the new owner.
