The Bowlium, Montclair
Montclair's Bowlium Lanes opened in 1958 at 4666 Holt Blvd., just west of Monte Vista Avenue, and the oldest surviving bowling alley in the Inland Valley is still setting 'em up.
The 32-lane bowling center recently gained a new, snazzier sign (see above). It's a far cry from the astonishing sign (see below) that lured motorists from 1958 until its demolition in 1999, but it's better than the two bland monument signs that filled in in the interim.
Friday's column (read it here) has more about the signs and also about Shakey's Pizza down the street, Montclair's oldest restaurant.
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A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
E-mail David here or read columns here.
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Wow - cool article. Being a relative newcomer to the 909, I wasn't aware of Bowlium's tremendous old sign. Though obviously a step or two down from the majesty of the "BOWL" tower, the new one does a nice job of harkening back to days gone by. Will have to stop by to see it in person (and chuck a few balls in the general direction of some pins) in the near future.
Two other notes of appreciation for this article:
1 - I am going to do my best to work "the whole megillah" into conversation as often as possible. Hadn't heard that term for a while, & had no idea how to spell it - so thanks on both counts. (The David Allen column: Enhancing Erudite Elocution Since 1997!)
2 - Fascinating tidbit about the genesis of the Shakey's name -- though I'm wondering how thrilled Shakey's folks are about the publication of that particular piece of history. Promoting a company's heritage can be a great hook in advertising, but I'm having a hard time figuring out a productive way to work "World War II-era malaria" into an enticing pizza promotion ...
["Now with less malaria!" Nah, that doesn't cut it. I looked up "megillah" to be sure I was spelling it correctly from memory, and I was. -- DA, patting himself on the back]