Pearl River Lanes Going Out of Business

Pearl River Lanes first opened at 100 N. Middletown Road in Pearl River in 1975.
The family-owned bowling alley will go out of business Saturday. 
Catherine Lesica opened Pearl River Lanes with her husband in 1975 and currently runs it with her son, Richard. They had been looking to sell to new owners that would keep the bowling alley open, but negotiations with their landlords broke down last week.
"The landlord and us could not come to an agreement on a lease," Richard Lesica said. "There is no more to it than that. It's no fault of anybody's that they couldn't get to a number to proceed. It's been a long run. My mom, who is in charge of the company, is 81 years old and she's retiring. 
"We've been here for 38 years. Three families have derived a life from this for a long time. It's down to my mom, and at her age, she can't continue. With the economy the way it is, it wasn't valid."
Steve's Dart Lounge and Hudson Shores Train Depot, which are part of the building, are also being displaced. Owner Steve Veralli moved Steve's Dart Lounge from its previous location on Central Avenue two years ago and took over the pro shop business for the bowling alley. Hudson Shores Train Depot had just moved in a year ago. 
"I talked to Richie Friday morning. He has been up front the whole way," Veralli said. "We thought the sale was made. Friday he said it was falling through and he's going to shut down. 
"I was downtown for quite a while and moved here two years ago. I picked up the pro shop and it was good for business. It was a good run. I guess I have to look at the positive."
Veralli said he is moving out the fixtures and selling off what merchandise he can. He said he may not re-open elsewhere.
"To start up again? I don't know if I want to do it," Veralli said. "To find a place that is affordable, too. It's tough."
Richard Lesica said this is part of a decline in bowling.
"Bowling has fallen off at least 50 percent," Lesica said. "We lost a lot of business the last few years. It's a sign of the times. It's the business. People don't have the money to spend any more."
He added that it is members of the bowling community who suffer. Pearl River Lanes has 7 p.m leagues that include 60 people. 
"There is nowhere for the whole league to go to another center," Lesica said. "They are usually filled at that time."
What do you think of Pearl River Lanes closing? Tell us in the comments.