That’s right. Bring it back. I know of a certain prime location on Laurel Street directly across the street from the post office…..the old Bell Market space.
Sixteen lanes, flat screen televisions, disco bowling on Friday and Saturday nights, birthday parties, and a 1950’s diner in front, facing Laurel Street, would be a welcome addition to downtown San Carlos.
San Carlos has obviously made great strides in revitalizing its downtown. However, most of the new restaurants, bars, etc, are geared toward adults. Few spots downtown are geared toward adults and kids. The San Carlos Bowl would need to be more than a bowling alley. It would need to offer kids a fun and safe place to gather. It would also need to have private birthday rooms, pool tables and a diner.
Take a stroll downtown one afternoon. Lots of kids without a place to hang out. Raiding the candy bins at Diddams and the pizza ovens at Speederia is bound to get old. The City of San Carlos has a chance to balance downtown with the needs of adults, kids and families. Bring back the San Carlos Bowl.
13 Comments
Hi Bob. Is a new bowling alley really coming to Laurel street or is this something that you propose? The San Carlos Chamber of Commerce site says the old Bell Market going to be another grocery store and that the family that owns the property is now negotiating with two markets interested in leasing the property.
Hi there,
This is merely a proposal. I do not know of any plans from the City to bring back the San Carlos Bowl. To your point, I have heard that the old Bell Market would be a grocery store as well. Several ideas have been brought before the city over the past two years….however, I am yet to hear of anything definitive.
Foodville does a great job providing San Carlos with a neighborhood grocery store….I would worry that another would interfere with their business…..unless Foodville happens to be the one that moves to the old Bell Market space….
Thanks for the post and request for clarification.
Bob Bredel
Bob,
I thing the old San Carlos Bowl building is empty again. What about turning it back into a bowling alley?
Good point! I believe you are correct. I believe it is vacant…..it has been a few different things, most recently a furniture outlet.
That location would probably work as well. I liked the Laurel location a little better because I thought it would help give the kids a place to go downtown….the El Camino location would probably not have the same impact….however, I would rather have it there than nowhere at all! Thanks for the post.
Bob Bredel
I couldn’t agree more. We moved to San Carlos just before the old bowling ally was torn down. Our kids are now almost grown, but we would LOVE to have something like that for the kids (and adults) of San Carlos. Someone could really re-invent the bowling ally and make it modern and attractive to kids and adults alike. Either location would be great, but I agree that the Laurel Street location would be perfect!
I was passing by this building yesterday and thought “what a waste”. I think a bowling alley would be neat, however I wonder about sufficient parking. I think they had maybe 16…
A modern bowling alley would be nice, but I disagree that the spot on Laurel would be the best location. I’m with tomb that the original location on El Camino (yes, it’s now vacant) would be a much better, more appropriate spot. The Laurel Street location is perfect for a nice grocery store or other ‘everyday’ resource that requires extreme convenience.
The DeBarbrie family owned the now defunct SAn Carlos Bowl. I wonder if they are still in the business somewhere? I know I read that the beloved Aunt Tess had passed away–she ran the great lunch counter for many years.
Hi msweed,
Yes, good knowledge. My mother was friends with Mary DeBarbrie, who seemed to run the day-to-day operations. I have not seem them around town in a very long time. The bowling alley was well run and a lot of fun. Thanks for your comment.
Bob
Hi All,
I know I am posting this late, but my mom would LOVE to see this! My mom (Mary DeBarbrie, now Mary Matosich) did run day-to-day operations at the bowling center. My great Aunt Tess did pass away, but my grandma (Louise DeBarbrie) is still doing okay.
We all miss the bowl a lot, and if we had the money to make it what it needed to be at that time, we would have. Selling the center was one of the hardest choices my family had to make.
I agree that we should bring the bowl back. My mom would be great at running it, we just need to find an investor!
Thanks,
Michelle Tomalonis
I was in a Redwood City antique store today and found a vintage SC Bowl patch that read, “San Carlos Bowl The Heart Of The Peninsula”. It provoked some fond memories.
SC Bowl was my second home in ’76. I was twelve. Every Saturday morning Carl DeBarbrie greeted us at the counter. He was just great to us kids. I was sure I reached some bowling milestone when I shot a “Turkey”. Carl announced it and greeted me by name from then on.
My buddies and I were Mike’s Mashers. One of my teammates would always spend his bowling money on a hot dog at 9am and we’d have to cover his bowling fee for him.
We’d bowl two games. I’d ride my bike home to earn $1.50 mowing the lawn. Then I’d ride back down to SC Bowl to spend the afternoon playing my all time favorite pinball machine: Royal Flush. Three games for 50 cents. Yes, $1.50 could get one some entertainment back then.
After one typical Saturday afternoon I left to find my Schwinn Stingray was stolen. Man, what a long walk home that was!
SC Bowl was an integral part of my childhood. Thank you to any DeBarbries who may read this. It was truly a great place.
Hi Mike,
Just read your post and it was almost like I wrote it. Back in the early 60’s my family practically lived in the bowling alley in San Carlos. Anyhow while I was there one Saturday I came out and my Stingray was also stolen, never did find it.
Worked at San Carlos Bowl for 19 years…was around for all the memorable events….marriages, children and sadly the day when Carl would no longer be there. Out of touch since retiring in 95-96 it sure was nice to be able to catch up with the DeBarbries on the internet.
Johnnie