Bowling Alley Grand Opening
Black-owned bowling alley opens doors in Harlem
by JIMMIE BRIGGS
Special to the AmNews
Originally posted 3/16/2006 
The first Harlem-based bowling alley in more than thirty years opens its doors on St. Patrick’s Day. Harlem Lanes, the brainchild of Sharon Joseph and Gail Richards, is located at the corner of 126th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, below the Alhambra Ballroom. Offering 24 lanes, a sports bar with large screen televisions, private party rooms and a full dining menu, it’s much more than a bowling alley. The entertainment center is spread over two floors of a corner building.
Harlem Lanes will be open seven days a week, 365 days a year and is one of four bowling centers in Manhattan. It is the only one above 42nd Street. Joseph is the niece of Richards, and the two are the first African-American women to own a bowling center in the United States.
"This actually was not the original location we were supposed to be in," explained Gail Richards. "We found the Blumstein Building, on 125th Street across from the Apollo Theater. It was like the Macy*s of Harlem back in the 1960s. It was a great space but we would only be able to fit five more lanes there, with half the footage than we have in this here, because of the columns in that space."
Before a room of journalists, supporters and members of the area business community, the two women held a press conference about the bowling center last Tuesday. In attendance were United States Congressman Charles Rangel, former Manhattan Borough President C.Virginia Fields, Reggie Van Lee from Booz Allen, current Borough President Scott Stringer, Councilwoman Inez Dickenson and former President Bill Clinton. The Harlem-based Clinton Foundation provided support towards the realization of Harlem Lanes.
"Small businesses are the cornerstone of the American economy and I am pleased that my foundation can contribute to the expansion and success of small businesses here in Harlem," noted President Clinton in a statement. "This bowling alley is just one example of the businesses that this program has helped to get off the ground and contribute to its surrounding community."
Information about Harlem Lanes can be found at www.harlemlanes.com or by calling 212-678-BOWL.
"The community here has been extremely supportive," says Sharon Jones. "When Gail and I sit in on neighborhood meetings at different venues, people who don�t know we’re affiliated with it say things like, "We can’t wait to see this bowling alley! When does the bowling alley open up? It feels really good."
Related: The New Flavor of Uptown :: Harlem Bowling Center :: Daily Candy :: New York Times :: NY Daily News ::