LINCOLN SQUARE — From birthdays to weddings, date nights to holiday parties, for so many people, Lincoln Square Lanes was the place to celebrate milestones, special occasions and every day in between.
Early Monday morning, the bowling alley, 4874 N. Lincoln Ave., and its downstairs neighbor Matty K's Hardware were destroyed by fire. As news of the blaze spread, members of the community went online to mourn the loss of this longtime Lincoln Square gem.
Their collective message: You will be missed.
Generations of Lincoln Square residents learned how to bowl at Lincoln Square Lanes. [Facebook/Chad Wunderlich, Erica Villegas, Meghan O'Doherty]
Via Facebook, some shared memories that stretched back decades:
"My Dad, (95 if he were still alive), bowled in a league there and every Thanksgiving and XMas holiday season he took the whole family to bowl... All 8 of us!" — Emma Lou Puro
"All the childhood parties, the grownup after work hang outs, and our family's history rooted in this place. I am very sad hearing this news today." — Steph A. Schro
Patty Wetli says the alley had become a popular spot once again:
"I grew up in this bowling alley. All my brothers bowled on leagues there. At one time I was on 3 leagues at once there. Lots of cherished memories for sure XO." — Pamela Young Brooks
"My dad bowled here with his dad since the '60s and when he passed his love of the sport on to me, it was the first place I wanted to roll a few when I moved to the neighborhood he grew up in. Honored to have played there at least once." — Jessica Krinke
"I am just still shocked. I've lived in this neighborhood all my life and have frequented LSL as a kid and even now. The evolution of that location made it so lively that it was THE place to go and have fun with friends on the weekends. Its legacy will live on but this was a bitter pill to swallow walking by it this morning." — Javier Hidalgo
Following substantial renovations in late 2012, Lincoln Square Lanes gained a new crop of fans. It became a hub for local music, trivia nights, open mics and Blackhawks viewing parties while at the same time introducing a new generation of bowlers to the magical world of strikes, spares and gutter balls.
"We were just there for my daughter's 8th birthday. She loved the fact she could learn math and have fun at the same time. Will miss this place." — Chad Wunderlich
("Math" is a reference to the alley's insistence that bowlers keep score the old-fashioned way — paper and pencil, no computers.)
"I've spent many fun afternoons at Lincoln Square Lanes with my 9 yr old son bowling, playing video games, eating & watching sports. We celebrated his birthday there one year. It was a wonderfully family-friendly atmosphere, and one of our "go to" places on rainy afternoons & cold winter days. We were just there on Saturday! Thank you for the memories. We will miss LSL this winter, and hope you can rebuild soon." — John Boston
Many comments encouraged the owners to rebuild, with several expressing concerns that in the bowling alley's absence, condos would rise up on the lot. Or, god forbid, a craft brewery.
One exchange read as follows:
"Hipsters will just build a microbrew in that spot and reference the old bowling alley somehow in the name of their new craft beer."
"Yes, the future site of Lincoln Square Lager and its famous 7-10 Ale."
But the prevailing sense was one of sadness, and sympathy for the business owners — both the Drehobls of Lincoln Square Lanes and the Kollars of Matty K's.
"I don't think there is anything to say except I'm glad no one was hurt and HUGS. A whole lot of freaking hugs to your whole family and all the workers. Hugs." — Jessica Ann McCloud
Neighbors went online to collectively mourn Lincoln Square Lanes, destroyed in a fire on Monday. [Facebook/Dan Mason]
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