64-Year-Old Bowling Alley in Westbrook, Maine, Permanently Closes

Scattered across the state of Maine, you'll find a lot of hangout spaces that managed to stand the test of time.

Many of those spaces are shopping malls, movie theaters or bowling alleys.

Part of the reason they've managed to survive for decades is that the activity or activities these spaces offer gets passed down from generation to generation. Often times, just like the business itself, it become a family tradition.

So there's always a little heartbreak when a spot that has seen families start and grow old has to say goodbye.

West-Port Bowling Lanes in Westbrook, Maine, Announces Permanent Closure

Shared on social media, West-Port Bowling Lanes hovering on the Westbrook and Portland, Maine, city lines announced that it had made the difficult decision to close permanently.

The bowling was founded and built in 1962 and over the course of more than six decades had become a regular gathering spot for generations of families living in the area.

West-Port Bowling Lanes shared the timeline of how the business had been passed on through the years and out of sheer grit and determination, the bowling alley kept churning along while many others across the state closed.

Expenses Ultimately Crushed West-Port Bowling Lanes in Westbrook, Maine

Despite the dedication to keeping West-Port Bowling Lanes open and running, expenses are the root cause of the decision to close the space.

The bowling alley is 64-years-old and much of the equipment is the same age as the building. Replacement parts are often scarce or expensive to buy and the cost of maintaining old equipment along with other everyday expenses escalating was too much for West-Port to continue on.