Landmark Thousand Oaks Bowling Alley to Shut Down

After decades of thundering and clattering, the balls and pins at Conejo Village Bowl will be silenced next month as the Thousand Oaks bowling alley closes its doors.

Night manager Dave Gilroy said employees were told Monday that the lanes will close May 31.

More than just a hangout for league bowlers with their own shoes and customized bowling balls, the bowling alley served as a community gathering place. The Thousand Oaks Boulevard site hosted fund-raisers for politicians such as Mayor Jaime Zukowski. On high school graduation night, it offered free bowling from midnight to sunrise.

Serious bowlers were no strangers to the lanes, however. Twice a week, the top junior bowler in the United States practiced at Conejo Village Bowl, which boasted high-tech aluminum lanes.

Gilroy said customers and staff Monday were saddened by the news that the lanes will close after 35 years. He said the bowling alley is closing for financial reasons.

“We’re not making enough money to justify the operation,” Gilroy said.

Larry Janss, who owns the bowling center, could not be reached for comment Monday night. His wife, Marney Janss, said he wanted to talk to all of the bowling alley’s employees before publicly announcing the decision.

“There are better uses for that property than a bowling alley,” she said.