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West Side Lanes celebrates 65 years in business
By Chelsea Miller
Youngstown
Gloria Tiberio remembers when West Side Lanes in Youngstown first opened.
The year was 1947, and the lanes were located in a wooded area on the outskirts of town. Paper sheets were used to tabulate scores, and “pin boys” were paid 8 cents a game to set up pins between bowls.
Back then, bowling was more popular.
West Side Lanes, 3320 Mahoning Ave., was filled every night with mill workers and sanctioned- league bowlers. Today’s bowlers, Gloria said, are more fickle.
“Before, in our age group, we enjoyed committing to bowling in a league. That’s where all the fun is,” she said. “Now, they don’t want to commit to bowling in a league.”
Gloria, now 87, met her husband, William, at the bowling alley. William owned the alley with two other men, whom he bought out in the ’50s. He died five years ago, but Gloria still runs the business with her son, Bill, and his wife, Annette.
The bowling alley is one of the last remaining in Youngstown. Gloria estimates as many as 14 bowling alleys opened and closed in the city, during West Side Lanes’s 65 years in business.
In celebration of its anniversary, the Tiberio family will have Moonlight Bowling on Saturday night. For $15, a couple will receive four games of bowling. The event will begin at 9:30 p.m. with prizes, music and drink specials.
Gloria said Moonlight Bowling was popular at the alley years ago.
“We used to pack this place in,” she said. “We used to have the lights all out, and we’d have candles on the score tables. That’s what they’d bowl by, candlelight.”
Although there have been challenges keeping the bowling alley in business, Gloria attributes its success to a loyal group of customers. To honor their commitment, the alley will be offering a special for the month of March — $1.65 a game and 65 cents for shoes.
West Side Lanes also will have a senior league during the last two weekends in March. Gloria, who bowls three times a week, credits the sport with keeping her young.
“It makes you feel good... and you’re with people. The main thing is when you’re with people and you’re active, you live longer. I hope,” she said, while laughing.
Youngstown City Council will also present a resolution to the Tiberio family. Councilman Mike Ray said the council decided to honor the family because of its commitment to the community and ability to adapt to change.
“It’s significant to have that investment in the West Side,” Ray said. “They’ve continued to operate one of the oldest bowling alleys, so it’s pretty much been a landmark of the West Side.”