The owner of Good Times Bowl says he may consider closing down
the local institution one day, but while he denies any plans have
been set, some locals see an upcoming construction overhaul on the
site as the beginning of the end.
Hollister – The owner of Good Times Bowl says he may consider closing down the local institution one day, but while he denies any plans have been set, some locals see an upcoming construction overhaul on the site as the beginning of the end.
“There’s no real plans to get rid of it (the bowling alley), but would I entertain something? Possibly,” said co-owner Dave Galtman, who has been planning on expanding his on-site motorsports shop into part of the bowling alley since he and two partners bought the property in June of 2004. “The bowling alley’s just not making it, and we dump money into it every month. I think any successful business owner would have cut their losses a long time ago.”
The bowling alley has been around since 1963 under the names Hollister Family Bowl, Hollister Lanes, and eventually Good Times Bowl.
For now, Galtman said, the only solid plans for the bowling alley are to cut out eight of its 18 lanes to make room for the Kawasaki shop expansion. Demolition and construction work should begin around May 9, he added. The bowling alley will be closed during construction.
“Our intent has always been to put our motorcycle dealership in, to downsize the bowling alley,” said Galtman.
But when he and his partners, brothers Marty and Mike Greenwood, bought the property almost a year ago, Galtman said, there was a public outpouring of concern that Good Times could be closing for good.
One bowling alley employee, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern over where Hollister’s young people would go for fun if and when the bowling alley closed down, echoing a strong belief some locals have that the bowling alley is one of the only places left for good clean family fun.
Cindi Bono, who has been bowling at the local lanes “for years,” said Thursday she had heard rumors about the local landmark’s uncertain future, but said from what she had gathered the place was shutting down for good.
“It’s a shame. They (the owners) want to keep it quiet because the community will fight back,” Bono said. “It’s just a shame. Their intention was to keep so many lanes open, but that’s not what I’m hearing now. It’s a rumor and I don’t like the rumor.”
If the lanes do shut down, league bowlers like Bono will have to travel to Gilroy to play or give up the game, she said. Bono also agreed with the bowling alley employee worried about where local kids could go once the lanes become a motorcycle shop.
“I have no children, but parties go on over there. The birthday parties and the get-togethers. They’ve got it set up for the kids,” she said.
Galtman said he and the Greenwoods were aware of the community’s attachment to the bowling alley and have always tried to keep it up and running.
“The partners and I agreed, ‘let’s give it a shot if there’s that many people who wanted it.’ And the people tried,” Galtman said. “I think the people really did a great job trying to support it, but unfortunately that’s not enough. I know one thing, and that is that we’re personally dumping a lot of money into the business every month, and I think anybody can only do that for so long.”
Jessica Quandt covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at [email protected].
