Marycrest Lanes - 1948 - 2008

[Back to topic list] [Back to Romy - Business Topic]

Brian Odette, an employee of Marycrest Lanes, bowls at the East Court Street bowling alley on Friday. Marycrest is closing April 9 after 60 years.
Photo by Nicholas Holstein

By Lee Provost
lprovost@daily-journal.com
815-937-3364

A 60-year institution appears to be nearing the end of its long run on Kankakee's east side.
Marycrest Lanes, at 1931 E. Court Street, will close on April 9, Harold Tosh said Friday.

Owner of the 16-lane bowling alley since March 1994, Tosh said the real estate closing is set for that date. He did not identify the buyer. The sale is being handled by Greg Leutloff of Bennett Commercial.

Attempts to reach Leutloff were unsuccessful.

"This is certainly bittersweet. This does make me a little heartsick," Tosh said. "I've put so much of me into this place. I have to be honest. It took me a little while to sign the papers. I wanted this to stay a bowling center."

The separation is even more difficult because with the new owner comes a possible new business. While Tosh is uncertain what is being planned for the location, he said he'd heard it may become a grocery store.

He said he's selling because of decline in business.

Alderman Steven Hunter, who represents the district within which Marycrest lies, said the bowling alley will be missed. "That area has been a part of the social circle for generations. We all learned to bowl there, hold birthday parties there."

Tosh, 60, of Clifton, purchased the business from co-owners Jack Merritt and James Reising, Merritt's nephew. The bowling alley had been owned by the Merritt and Reising families since it opened in October 1948. It was opened by Wesley and Roy Reising. Wesley Reising was James Reising's father.

The bowling alley was part of a development built by the late Romy Hammes that included an auto dealership, a supermarket, a pharmacy and a two-story office building.

Tosh said he's not sure what he will do to keep himself busy following the sale.

"That's a good question. I'll have to find something to do," he said.

Tosh is planning a Marycrest Lanes' open house on April 5.