People Surprised By Sudden Closure Of Bowl America Glen Burnie

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Bowl America Glen Burnie closed abruptly this week after 60 years of service, catching many longtime bowlers off guard with no notice to remove their belongings from the facility. Employees were surprised as well.

A sign posted on the front door stated the facility would only be open to summer leagues as those bowlers complete their final weeks of the summer season. The sign also said the bowling center would be closed Aug. 15 through Aug. 22 as "the center goes through some renovations and enhancements."

However, on Aug. 18, Nita Kisamore, manager of Bowl America Glen Burnie, told Patch the company that bought the bowling center in May had decided to close it permanently. A Change.org petition has been created to urge the company to reconsider the closure and keep the iconic bowling center open.

On May 28, the bowling center posted on Facebook the Bowlero Corporation intended to purchase the 17 Bowl America Centers in Maryland, Virginia and Florida. Kisamore also noted in the Facebook post that management and employees were caught off guard by the purchasing announcement, too.

"I was as surprised as most of you were. We were instructed to continue doing business as we currently are, and that is exactly what I plan to do ... No one really knows what will transpire over the next 6 to 12 months, so I will not even begin to speculate. But I will tell you what I hope, and truly believe, will happen to Bowl America Glen Burnie. I believe it will get the building and equipment enhancements that have been needed for some time. I believe it will grow and become one of the best bowling centers in the area. AND I believe the great customers that have hung in there with us through the years will get the bowling center they long for and deserve."

Kisamore said she will be at the bowling center Aug. 19 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. for anyone who still needs to pick up personal items.

Michael Williams started the Change.org petition, stating that he grew up bowling at the center with his dad, aunts and uncles.

"This center has played a huge part in our lives, being a place we liked to call 'A home away from home.' Bowl America is where I fell in love with the sport of bowling, where I learned how to bowl and is home to many bowlers and to some of the greatest bowlers the house has ever seen," Williams wrote.