Three photos courtesy of Google Map. Top to bottom-- 2012 followed by 2014 and then November 2015. It was sure a quick changes between those three within 3 years! Please slow down! Glad it was for Bowlmor because that look remains the same since 2015. It was very AMF fun look into very serious more of Brunswick look but now as Bowlmor which was a Brunswick now an AMF.
Courtesy of Genuario's Norwalk Floor Covering Center, Inc.. It was featured in an advertisement for Genuario's Norwalk Floor Covering Center, Inc. This is the only evidence I have of the former rink. Oh wow, the beams are different than the new version. It was Bow Bridge Truss format. And they are wood! Wow! The entire floor was 100 percent wool carpet. Ahh, I love wool carpet! Not heard of today anymore. i would have walked barefoot there if there no people at all! Haha. Yeah, I know, fugus. yuck! Noticed interesting interior design of its day? Very unusual! Yes, table umbrellas are spotted there! Outdoorsy style table and chairs with umbrellas... I think this is the bowling side because I think I can see the ball return shields. I also think those are windows above in that wall in the back. Hard to tell in this monochromic photograph in a newspaper like that. What is that round thing on the left? Anyone know about this? Actually the ad was found in Ebay with other stuff they were selling with from the former Bowlerskate. I did not like some of his photos because he showed some pictures of women that you are not supposed to see. I only took the ads and some of the pictures by chopping off those disgusted pictures in the pictures. Sorry for the inconveniences.
Courtesy by a fan in Four Square. Almost same position. more toward to the right of that black-n-white photo. Same vew of direction. All covered up on the ceiling. Hmm.. And updated machines, Red and Blue banners to hide the light. and for decorative look. Looks pretty crowded back in 2010s. Why sold the place if it is working? Perhaps a turnkey? I am not sure.
Courtesy of AMF Bowlmor. New updated look once again. This time as Bowlmor, the third generation business and 2nd without the rinks. Totally renovated. And you can see the ceiling once again. Love the retro starburst light. I love that. Hmm, maybe rink owners should think about getting that light because it would make your rinks truly classic 1950s look again. In a fresh new look.
Courtesy of Bridgeport (News?). The ad was shown on top page in the papers that month of April 1959. Ah, 32 lanes!
Courtesy of eBay. You will noticed my competitor has exact same case for sale! Was his posted very recently? I am sure he did! Why I can tell? Look at some scratch damages above the two skaters on the case.
Rip Van Winkle Bowlerskate 701 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Sure Rip Van Winkle was a legendary sleeper who slept with a bowling pin in Catskill, NY. They said he was true. Whatever that was. Anyway, properly named for a bowling center because of the bowling pin he was slept with in 1770s.
Anyway, Rip Van Winkle Bowlerskate was also a roller rink. I wonder.. how would it fit in together as I can see on Google Map. Hmm, anyone? At the time, 32 lanes. Photos from the current bowling place, Bowlmor said it has 38 lanes. I counted in the photo found on Four Square to be 38 also. That would take the entire lengthwise of the building. So, I take skating was a small section. I am not sure. That was because there might not be any photos available because this rink was one of the shortest lived.
You see, it was started on April 24, 1959 and ended the rink when they sold to another business man who evidently got rid of the rink and focus on bowling which became Rip Van Winkle Lanes then in 2010s, it became Bowlmar, an upscale bar-bowling center. That is, a night club bowling as I call that.
The Bowlerskate building originally built in 1959 at the tune of 1.3 Million USD. That was way pricey for 1959. More plausible for today with that price but that is way expensive. No wonder the nasty "divorce" of partners at the time because they were making so much profit but also caused so much debt because of the cost of the building, taxes, supplies, utilities, their own income (should really not be taken in for at least first 3 years till all debts are paid and then can make own income as I always believe). And other expenses that caused them to have disagreement. Apparently their books were not projected to match to their business plan apparently. Connecticut is known to be one of the most expensive states to live in. Mostly in New England, New York State, and New Jersey are too expensive along with DC, California, Oregon, and Washington State as well. (Politically I noticed they are all blue states apparently).
To covert to today's dollar in November (30), 2020, it would be 11,632,453,608.25 USD! Way expensive! It is likely 4 to 10 times more expensive than a standard rink and bowling center that size to be built today.
The Bowlerskate for a year and half, the owners were Joseph Kavanewsky and Joseph F. Yates and the nasty divorce of business partnership a year and half brought to the point of the business being sold in October 1960 to Brentross Realty Corporation. Actually Joseph Kavanewsky bought out the Joseph F. Yates's assets or the 50 percent of the ownership then quickly turned around and sold it to the company who bought it.
The history beyond that was it became Rip Van Winkles Lanes in October 1960 for so many years till July 2013.
But in 1992, entrepreneur Tom Shannon bought the lanes for $1.4 million and abandoned its Bowling for Dollars-era image, injecting a dose of Manhattan chic. In July 2013, Shannon bought out the bankrupt AMF Bowling Worldwide, which operated Rip Van Winkle Lanes as well as AMF Milford Lanes. The new Bowlmor AMF followed that up with the $270 million purchase in September 2014 of Brunswick Corp.'s bowling facility business. This was according to Stamford Advocate newspaper/online papers. Since then, it is now Bowlmor-Norwalk. This is the very man now operate the AMF Bowling and Brunswick Bowling.
You still can see the evidences of the old bowling and rink only with the roof, and the Bow Bridge support. And enjoy some nice bowling at Bowlmor-Norwalk if you like (I still like old fashioned bowling lanes that does not dim light down and glow in dark. Not good for one of my eyes. My blind eyes is bothered by that kind of light, yuck!) But one thing to warn you. Please check the prices before you bowl. Please check the prices of the menu BEFORE you sit down. Yes, I am telling you they are VERY expensive. On Four Square, someone said he was hoping for cheap snack to eat while bowling and did not realize the price for fries are 35 USD! THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS! I am only going check it out someday but NOT to do a thing in there. Just look and leave. Not on my kind of budget. This place is targeting for market with people with a healthy income of 100,000 USD. Me. Zero.
The Interior.
It was both a roller rink and bowling lanes inside the facility while the ice rink was held outside during winter months.
The Exterior.
Originally as you can see the sticker, you can see the original look. It was a very long narrow-like Bow-Steel-Truss Arch-curved roof building with a hip skirt on each end. Apparently half of the number of the 38 lanes were for bowling and other half for roller rink but after it was sold in 1960, getting rid of the rink increased the number of lanes to 38. Half of it was 19 lanes. Likely 15 lanes I believe. Not sure how many. No records I know of.
Second of all, the frontage was not shown in the sticker as it was. But I looked at the 1960 edition photograph from the US Geographical Society, it points out that there was the front extension of the building. The front section was apparently upgraded sometimes perhaps in 1990s because of the style of the front especially the Door Frame structure I call that looked very 1990s, maybe early 2000s then it was painted very fun like with the AMF upside down triangle by the front door and the red wave.
Then in about 2012 or 13, they painted very conservative Navy Blue stripe and no redness involved. But suddently, changed to Bowlmor style. It was turning to the Gray of America. Dark Gray, Black, with Red and Dark Stained Wood on the Door Frame. Very common now for Graying of America way back in 2015! Sure it was the start of that trend that year even for fast food restaurants as I recalled.
Now the Frame for the door is not the thin around the door. It is more like a fireplace mantle. Door Mantle. Better word for that. There are two. One main one that is big and the other is smaller. Likely that door leads perhaps to the bar. I am not sure.
And that red steel horizon sheet metal is their garage door I believe. It has hallow space there thanks to a photo.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely Maple. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: Free-Span Bow Bridge Wood Truss Cinderblock-Walled Rink/Bowling - like Building.
Roof: Arch-Curved. (Bow Bridge)
Acres: 3.000 Acres.
Lanes:
Rip Van Winkle Bowlerskate: 32 Lanes
Rip Van Winkle Lanes: 38 Lanes
Bowlmar - Norwalk: 38 Lanes
Operated: April 24, 1959 to October 1960. (short! 1.5 years!)
(Rip Van Winkle Lanes): October 1960 to September 2014.
(Bowlmar - Norwalk): Saturday December 6, 2014 to present.
Reason for Closure: Disagreement between partners so they dissolved it in court and end it all and sold.
Wanted: Information regarding actual dates of closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos.
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Bowlmor - Norwalk; Stamford Advocate - Bowlmor replaces RVW Lanes; Four Square - AMF Rip Van Winkle Lanes; Four Square - Bowlmor - Norwalk; Ebay.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
Anyway, Rip Van Winkle Bowlerskate was also a roller rink. I wonder.. how would it fit in together as I can see on Google Map. Hmm, anyone? At the time, 32 lanes. Photos from the current bowling place, Bowlmor said it has 38 lanes. I counted in the photo found on Four Square to be 38 also. That would take the entire lengthwise of the building. So, I take skating was a small section. I am not sure. That was because there might not be any photos available because this rink was one of the shortest lived.
You see, it was started on April 24, 1959 and ended the rink when they sold to another business man who evidently got rid of the rink and focus on bowling which became Rip Van Winkle Lanes then in 2010s, it became Bowlmar, an upscale bar-bowling center. That is, a night club bowling as I call that.
The Bowlerskate building originally built in 1959 at the tune of 1.3 Million USD. That was way pricey for 1959. More plausible for today with that price but that is way expensive. No wonder the nasty "divorce" of partners at the time because they were making so much profit but also caused so much debt because of the cost of the building, taxes, supplies, utilities, their own income (should really not be taken in for at least first 3 years till all debts are paid and then can make own income as I always believe). And other expenses that caused them to have disagreement. Apparently their books were not projected to match to their business plan apparently. Connecticut is known to be one of the most expensive states to live in. Mostly in New England, New York State, and New Jersey are too expensive along with DC, California, Oregon, and Washington State as well. (Politically I noticed they are all blue states apparently).
To covert to today's dollar in November (30), 2020, it would be 11,632,453,608.25 USD! Way expensive! It is likely 4 to 10 times more expensive than a standard rink and bowling center that size to be built today.
The Bowlerskate for a year and half, the owners were Joseph Kavanewsky and Joseph F. Yates and the nasty divorce of business partnership a year and half brought to the point of the business being sold in October 1960 to Brentross Realty Corporation. Actually Joseph Kavanewsky bought out the Joseph F. Yates's assets or the 50 percent of the ownership then quickly turned around and sold it to the company who bought it.
The history beyond that was it became Rip Van Winkles Lanes in October 1960 for so many years till July 2013.
But in 1992, entrepreneur Tom Shannon bought the lanes for $1.4 million and abandoned its Bowling for Dollars-era image, injecting a dose of Manhattan chic. In July 2013, Shannon bought out the bankrupt AMF Bowling Worldwide, which operated Rip Van Winkle Lanes as well as AMF Milford Lanes. The new Bowlmor AMF followed that up with the $270 million purchase in September 2014 of Brunswick Corp.'s bowling facility business. This was according to Stamford Advocate newspaper/online papers. Since then, it is now Bowlmor-Norwalk. This is the very man now operate the AMF Bowling and Brunswick Bowling.
You still can see the evidences of the old bowling and rink only with the roof, and the Bow Bridge support. And enjoy some nice bowling at Bowlmor-Norwalk if you like (I still like old fashioned bowling lanes that does not dim light down and glow in dark. Not good for one of my eyes. My blind eyes is bothered by that kind of light, yuck!) But one thing to warn you. Please check the prices before you bowl. Please check the prices of the menu BEFORE you sit down. Yes, I am telling you they are VERY expensive. On Four Square, someone said he was hoping for cheap snack to eat while bowling and did not realize the price for fries are 35 USD! THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS! I am only going check it out someday but NOT to do a thing in there. Just look and leave. Not on my kind of budget. This place is targeting for market with people with a healthy income of 100,000 USD. Me. Zero.
The Interior.
It was both a roller rink and bowling lanes inside the facility while the ice rink was held outside during winter months.
The Exterior.
Originally as you can see the sticker, you can see the original look. It was a very long narrow-like Bow-Steel-Truss Arch-curved roof building with a hip skirt on each end. Apparently half of the number of the 38 lanes were for bowling and other half for roller rink but after it was sold in 1960, getting rid of the rink increased the number of lanes to 38. Half of it was 19 lanes. Likely 15 lanes I believe. Not sure how many. No records I know of.
Second of all, the frontage was not shown in the sticker as it was. But I looked at the 1960 edition photograph from the US Geographical Society, it points out that there was the front extension of the building. The front section was apparently upgraded sometimes perhaps in 1990s because of the style of the front especially the Door Frame structure I call that looked very 1990s, maybe early 2000s then it was painted very fun like with the AMF upside down triangle by the front door and the red wave.
Then in about 2012 or 13, they painted very conservative Navy Blue stripe and no redness involved. But suddently, changed to Bowlmor style. It was turning to the Gray of America. Dark Gray, Black, with Red and Dark Stained Wood on the Door Frame. Very common now for Graying of America way back in 2015! Sure it was the start of that trend that year even for fast food restaurants as I recalled.
Now the Frame for the door is not the thin around the door. It is more like a fireplace mantle. Door Mantle. Better word for that. There are two. One main one that is big and the other is smaller. Likely that door leads perhaps to the bar. I am not sure.
And that red steel horizon sheet metal is their garage door I believe. It has hallow space there thanks to a photo.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely Maple. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: Free-Span Bow Bridge Wood Truss Cinderblock-Walled Rink/Bowling - like Building.
Roof: Arch-Curved. (Bow Bridge)
Acres: 3.000 Acres.
Lanes:
Rip Van Winkle Bowlerskate: 32 Lanes
Rip Van Winkle Lanes: 38 Lanes
Bowlmar - Norwalk: 38 Lanes
Operated: April 24, 1959 to October 1960. (short! 1.5 years!)
(Rip Van Winkle Lanes): October 1960 to September 2014.
(Bowlmar - Norwalk): Saturday December 6, 2014 to present.
Reason for Closure: Disagreement between partners so they dissolved it in court and end it all and sold.
Wanted: Information regarding actual dates of closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos.
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Bowlmor - Norwalk; Stamford Advocate - Bowlmor replaces RVW Lanes; Four Square - AMF Rip Van Winkle Lanes; Four Square - Bowlmor - Norwalk; Ebay.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.