Star Way Lanes (Gone)
Massilon, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The sign at Star Way Lanes had just about everything you could want in a classic bowling alley marquee. An oversized arrow, colorful geometric shapes, and bold mid-century lettering all worked together to catch the attention of motorists traveling along Lincoln Way. Even the large lettering mounted across the building helped give the place its own personality. 04-01
For years, Star Way Lanes was a popular spot for league bowlers and neighborhood families on the west side of Massillon. Like many bowling centers of its era, it also featured a lounge and snack bar, making it an easy place to spend an entire evening.
Rather than being demolished after closing around 2019, the building found a second life. Today, portions of the former bowling alley have been converted into retail businesses, including an appliance store and, more recently, The Alley Market, an indoor marketplace filled with antiques, crafts, and vintage treasures.
Unfortunately, the wonderful roadside marquee didn't survive the transition. While the building remains, the distinctive sign that once welcomed bowlers has disappeared, leaving photographs as the best reminder of one of Massillon's classic bowling alleys.
UPDATE: Star Way Lanes has been repurposed into retail space, including The Alley Market. The original bowling alley marquee has been removed. 06-26
Here's the script alongside the wall with an image of a well kept bowler. 11-00
Kinser Lanes (Rem.)
Dover, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The giant bowling pin towering above Kinser Lanes made this one of those signs that was impossible to overlook. If that wasn't enough to get your attention, the colorful marquee certainly did the trick. It was exactly the kind of roadside landmark that made you want to stop for a couple of games. 11-00
For many years, Kinser Lanes served bowlers from both New Philadelphia and neighboring Dover. Eventually, however, the aging building fell into serious disrepair and was condemned, leaving its future very much in doubt.
Fortunately, the story didn't end there. In 2012, new owners purchased the property and invested in a complete renovation, transforming the deteriorating bowling alley into a modern 20-lane center. The business reopened as Wabash Lanes, giving the community its bowling alley back even though the original name disappeared.
The restoration saved the building, but not the sign. The familiar marquee with its oversized bowling pin was removed during the renovation, making photographs like this an important reminder of what once greeted bowlers along Wabash Avenue.
UPDATE: Kinser Lanes was restored and reopened in 2012 as Wabash Lanes. The bowling alley remains open, but the original bowling pin marquee has been removed. 06-26
Riviera Lanes (Demolished)
Bellaire, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
When this photo was taken, Riviera Lanes had already become what could only be described as a 10-pin graveyard. Brush was slowly swallowing the abandoned building, but the tall marquee still stood above it all, refusing to disappear quietly. 11-00
Riviera Lanes met an unusual fate. The bowling alley had been built over an abandoned underground coal mine, and dangerous methane gas eventually seeped into the building. Safety concerns forced the bowling alley to close, ending what had once been a popular gathering place for the Bellaire community.
For years, the abandoned building became a favorite subject for photographers who were drawn to its decaying condition and lonely sign standing over the overgrown property. It was a haunting reminder of how quickly even the busiest neighborhood landmarks can be reclaimed by nature.
The building and marquee have since disappeared, bringing the story of Riviera Lanes to a close. Today, only photographs remain of one of Ohio's more unusual bowling alley stories.
UPDATE: Riviera Lanes has been demolished, and the landmark marquee has been removed from the site. 06-26
Holiday Lanes (Closed)
Lisbon, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
One of the things that made Holiday Lanes unusual was its location. Instead of occupying a sprawling one-story building like most bowling alleys, this neighborhood bowling center operated on the second floor of a downtown commercial block in Lisbon. It's the kind of place that's hard to imagine being built today. 11-00
For years, bowlers climbed the stairs to enjoy a few games above the busy downtown streets. Although much of its early history has been lost, Holiday Lanes became a familiar gathering place for local leagues and casual bowlers before eventually closing its doors.
After bowling came to an end, the lanes and equipment were removed and the space found new uses. Over the years, it housed a specialty motorcycle shop known as Chrome before later serving as a local church. The original marquee disappeared as the building's purpose changed, leaving little evidence that a bowling alley once occupied the upper floor.
Old second-story bowling alleys have become especially rare, making Holiday Lanes an interesting reminder that bowling centers didn't always follow the same blueprint.
UPDATE: Holiday Lanes remains closed as a bowling alley. The marquee has been removed, and the former bowling space has been reused for other purposes. 06-26
Villa Lanes (Rem.)
Decatur, IN Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The giant boomerang arrow on the sign is what made Villa Lanes stand out. It was a classic Space Age design that practically pointed motorists into the parking lot, making it one of those bowling alley marquees that was every bit as memorable as the building itself. 01-01
Villa Lanes has remained a popular destination for bowlers in Decatur, growing into a 20-lane center with league bowling, youth tournaments, cosmic bowling, arcade games, and banquet facilities. It continues to serve as one of northeastern Indiana's active community bowling centers.
Unfortunately, the original marquee didn't survive. The colorful boomerang sign was eventually removed and replaced with modern backlit signage, another example of a distinctive mid-century design giving way to a more contemporary look. Thankfully, the bowling alley itself continues to thrive.
Old bowling alley signs like this remind us that businesses once competed for attention with bold architecture instead of standardized branding. Villa Lanes may have lost its iconic marquee, but it's nice to see the bowling tradition continue.
UPDATE: Villa Lanes remains open in Decatur. The original boomerang marquee has been removed and replaced with modern signage. 06-26
The sign at Al-Mar Colonial Lanes may not have been the flashiest around, but it had a classic mid-century look that welcomed generations of bowlers into one of Bowling Green's longtime gathering spots. Sometimes the simpler signs have just as much character. 01-01
Al-Mar Lanes traces its roots back to the original Colonial Lanes, eventually becoming known as Al-Mar Colonial Lanes. In December 2000, tragedy struck when an electrical fire destroyed the bowling alley and its vintage roadside sign. Rather than walk away, the owners rebuilt the center on the same site, allowing the business to continue serving the community.
Today, Al-Mar Lanes remains one of northwest Ohio's premier bowling centers. Along with leagues and family bowling, it has hosted numerous Professional Bowlers Association events over the years, giving the center a reputation that extends well beyond Bowling Green.
UPDATE: Al-Mar Lanes remains open in a modern facility built after the original bowling alley was destroyed by fire in 2000. The original vintage sign was lost in the blaze. 06-26
Rainbow Lanes (Gone)
Fremont, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
Back when bowling was one of America's favorite pastimes, Rainbow Lanes was one of several busy alleys serving Fremont. Its colorful neon sign stood along West State Street for decades, welcoming league bowlers and families alike. 01-01
Rainbow Lanes was one of three major bowling centers in Fremont during the city's bowling heyday. After league participation declined, the alley closed in September 2007. Rather than being demolished, the building found a second life as commercial space and today houses several businesses.
UPDATE: The bowling alley remains gone, and the vintage neon sign has been removed. The former building still stands and has been repurposed for commercial use. 06-26
Star Way Lanes (Gone)
Kinser Lanes (Rem.)
Riviera Lanes (Demolished)
Holiday Lanes (Closed)
Villa Lanes (Rem.)
Al-Mar Colonial Lanes (Rem.)
Rainbow Lanes (Gone)
