ORLANDO, Fla. – A beloved bowling alley doubling as a dive bar will remain a staple of the Orlando neighborhood it has called home for the last 60 years.
Patrons and Orlando natives were outraged when owners announced Colonial Lanes would be closing in May.
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However, the community’s response to Colonial Lanes closing is now the reason half of its landmark lanes will be preserved as the space undergoes redevelopment.
When it reopens, Orlando city officials said, bowlers will still enjoy 16 wooden lanes at the Milk District establishment on the corner of Primose Avenue and Livingston Street.
Winter Park-based Titan Properties is transforming the rest of the lot into a four-story self-storage facility.
The bowling alley almost has a cult following among Orlandoans, even inspiring a new shirt design from city-centric shop Orlando Shirts.
A city of Orlando spokeswoman said the space will become an “upscale entertainment complex” and will likely include a stage and meeting areas in addition to the storage facility and bowling alley.
No word yet on whether the Colonial Lanes popular karaoke night will also make a comeback.