Last August, Rachael Allen threw a 70th birthday party for Allen’s Crosley Lanes, a 42-lane bowling center in Vancouver that her family has owned for nearly four decades. The celebration was bittersweet for her, however, because it took place the day before what would have been her husband Don’s 68th birthday. Don Allen died last May from complications of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Don grew up in the bowling industry, learning the trade from his father and grandfather. The Allen family has owned several bowling centers in the Portland metro area since 1948, including Interstate Lanes in Portland which closed in 2016 and was where Rachael first met Don nearly 50 years ago.

“I was bowling juniors at Interstate, and he was working in the front desk,” Allen said. “I went up one day to get change, and he slapped my change on the counter and kept his hand on it until I would look up at him and … he goes, ‘Hi,’ and I said, ‘Hi.’ And we were together from that day on.”

The party last August served as an opportunity to remember Don and his impact within the community. But the event did something more: it served to remind the community that Crosley Lanes was still around and open for business.

“So we had the birthday party and that really catapulted it. And ever since then … it could be just wall to wall. I would just stand in the lobby and just be amazed at like … they’re back. They heard,” Allen said. “Before that, it was not uncommon, almost daily, we would have someone either come in or call and say, ‘I thought you guys closed years ago. I read the article’.”

The article Allen referred to was one published by The Columbian eight years ago, when the paper reported that Crosley Lanes was up for sale. A prospective buyer came forth but the deal collapsed right before closing, Allen recalled. But word had already gotten out among the bowling leagues that show up each week and are a dependable source of revenue.

“I think people took it as we got to find out where we’re going to bowl next because, you know, next season is coming, and so … everybody left, from the juniors to the seniors … all the leagues,” Allen said.

Annie DeKlyen is one loyal patron who didn’t leave. For the past decade, she’s been the secretary of a bowling league that faithfully shows up on Monday nights to bowl frames and forge relationships that endure long after the bowling season has ended.

“When we first heard that they were selling the lanes, everybody was just, you know, heartbroken,” she said. “We’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, if we can win the lottery, we would love to buy the place and keep it going.’”

These days the business is not only surviving, but thriving. The Columbian recently reported that Crosley Lanes enjoyed its best winter season since COVID. A big reason for that, Allen says, is her two adult children, Amanda Grooms and Don Allen, Jr. who help run the day-to-day operations. Even Allen’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Genni, helps out by working the register in the bowling center’s restaurant on Mondays when she’s not at school and when a bowling league for people with disabilities shows up to play. “They love Genni, and they all know her. They are so proud of her for trying at such a young age,” Allen said.

But perhaps the most surprising support Allen has received is from patrons who’ve volunteered their time and services to Crosley Lanes. In addition to DeKlyen, Allen wished to thank two other volunteers - Aspen Torres and Nicky McGinty — for helping coordinate events and for marketing the business on social media.

Although Crosley Lanes is still for sale, its current success has made Allen reconsider parting with a business that has sparked countless friendships and romantic unions and drawn generations of family members to work there.

“Our family motto is ‘Allens don’t quit, and we’re in it to win it,’” she said. “So I’ve got myself and my kids and my grandkids, and we’re just going to keep going until we hear something different.”

Rachael Allen spoke to “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller. Annie DeKleyn spoke to “Think Out Loud” producer Malya Fass. Click play to listen to the full conversation:

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/12/71-year-old-vancouver-bowling-center-endures-with-help-of-family-loyal-patrons-turned-volunteers/