This metro Phoenix bowling alley has closed after 62 years

Sorry, local bowlers, but you’ll have to strike Glenfair Lanes in Glendale off your list of spots to roll through. The long-running bowling spot, one of Arizona’s few independently owned alleys, has permanently closed after more than 60 years in business.

Talk about a major gutter ball.

The 34,000-square-foot alley at 6110 N. 59th Ave. in Glendale shut down in late June after the bowling season ended. Renovations to the property were reportedly planned, including roof repairs and cutting lanes from 36 to 18.

The new-and-improved Glenfair Lanes was set to reopen by year’s end, but those plans fell through. The alley was reportedly sold to new owners in August, according to the September issue of Desert Bowler newspaper.

“This brings an end to (six) decades of bowling at Glenfair Lanes,” the Desert Bowler stated.

‘It was a classic’

Glenfair Lanes was built in 1963 by the late Tom Ogden, a Valley entrepreneur. Herb Grassl, editor of Desert Bowler, says the alley was later sold to local businessman and bowler Jake Lucero, who ran it alongside his son, Jason.

“Jake had owned a bowling center up in Flagstaff, but (later) sold it,” Grassl says. “And when the opportunity (to own) Glenfair came up, he went ahead and bought it.”

Jason Lucero eventually took over ownership of the business.

Glenfair Lanes was one of only a handful of independently owned bowling alleys in Arizona. Grassl, who bowled there for more than 20 years, says it was “a fun place.”

“Both owners, Tom Ogden and Luceros, always made it a family operation. We always enjoyed the fact it was an independently owned center and was always less expensive than (corporate-owned alleys) like Bowlero,” Grassl says. “You always knew who was gonna be working there each week and that anything you spend is going toward a family. It’s always nice to support a locally owned operation.”

Glenfair Lanes also had a vintage feel, Grassl says, including neon signage outside and retro plastic seating inside.

“It was a classic. It had this old-school kind of plastic seating down by the lanes like you’d see in old pictures of bowling centers back in the ’80s, which probably added to the ambiance of the place,” Grassl says. “A lot of the stuff was likely installed 30 or 40 years ago, but it was always well maintained.”

Grassl says Glenfair’s neon signage, which included a glowing bowling ball and pin, also added to its retro vibes.

“That was also part of the old-school charm,” Grassl says. “(Bowling) centers back in the ’70s or ’80s would have those kind of neon signs outside, so it fit the place.”

‘This hurts my heart’

Grassl says Jason Lucero sold the Glenfair Lanes property to an unspecified owner about five years ago but kept ownership of the bowling alley.

“He sold the building while keeping the business, basically,” Grassl says.

Earlier this year, plans were made to renovate the property and repair its damaged roof after the bowling season ended. Grassl says the building owner later changed their mind and put the property up for sale.

Phoenix New Times was unable to reach Lucero or the property owner for comment.

Grassl calls the closure of Glenfair Lanes “definitely a loss” for Valley bowlers.

Social media posts following news of the alley’s closure over the summer also mourned its loss. Valley resident Nick Edinger stated on Facebook that Glenfair Lanes was a rarity among corporate-owned bowling centers that dot Arizona.

“This hurts my heart. Love that place for better or for worse. In such a big city filled with so many people, Glenfair always gave me that small town home center feel, that family feel. I met a lot of amazing people at that bowling center and a lot of amazing friendships out of it,” Edinger wrote. “Glenfair will always have a special place in my heart.”