With the rumble of bowling balls and the satisfying crack of toppling pins, Pickwick Bowl has been a beloved institution in Burbank for over 60 years. However, this iconic establishment will be closing its doors at the end of business on Tuesday to make way for town homes, leaving many locals feeling a deep sense of loss.
Generations of residents have enjoyed the bowling lanes, bar, and banquet hall located at 1001 W. Riverside Drive since they were built in the 1950s. The Mathewson family has been running the establishment since 1961, and the general manager, Darin Mathewson, expressed his gratitude to the loyal customers in an Instagram post on August 2.
Mathewson shared, “Over the years, Pickwick customers have become friends and family. The staff and I have cherished seeing your faces, catching up on life, and sharing laughs together. Many of you have celebrated life’s milestones here, and we hope the memories will stay with you in the years to come.”
Having worked at Pickwick Bowl for 30 years himself, Mathewson reflected on the special moments and milestones his own family experienced at the alley. He expressed his honor and appreciation in being able to participate in events and tournaments with the incredible customers.
As news of the closure spread on Facebook, over 80 people shared their thoughts and memories of Pickwick Bowl. Laurie Herndon wrote, “Thank you for all the good times you’ve provided me and my family over the last 50 years. We were always there for the New Year’s Eve festivities and my son bowled his first 300 game here. You are a part of so many of our childhood memories and will be dearly missed.”
While some lamented the loss of a community space, others expressed disappointment that Burbank will no longer have a bowling alley. Kevin Conahan commented, “This is so horrible. The last bowling alley in Burbank, an entertainment spot that some of us have been around since the 1960s, a place where our kids go for entertainment and now there’s going to be a hundred town homes.”
The decision to close Pickwick Bowl came after the Burbank City Council approved a proposal in 2022 for a town home development in the area. Fortunately, the nearby Pickwick Gardens ice rink, owned by the Los Angeles Kings, will remain unaffected.
In his closing statement, Mathewson invited the community to drop by and say hello before the doors officially close. Pickwick Bowl has been a gathering place for friends and family for decades, and its closure marks the end of an era in Burbank’s history.
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