Bowl Long Island in Patchogue closing permanently

After 13 years of business and pandemic challenges, the Eggert family has made the difficult decision to close Bowl Long Island in Patchogue for good.

The family-run bowling alley at 138 West Ave. had been closed since August 2020 after suffering roof damage and needing repairs.

With that, the COVID-19 pandemic and other hardships faced during the past 19 months, owner Robert Eggert said in the family’s statement that they have “exhausted grants, loans, and other help during this time to keep [the] dream alive.”

“I have been bowling since my dad took me when I was five years old and I made a dream of mine for my family come true when I was able to own my own center,” Egbert said in the official announcement. “Bowling has been in my family since the ’40s and I’m so happy to bring bowling to my family and the families of Patchogue and beyond.”

Robert said the closure was unexpected and “something that came out of nowhere,” as the landlords decided to sell the property and the family did not have the funds to buy it themselves.

It’s unclear what will become of the space.

The former Patchogue 40 Lanes has for decades and decades been an icon of sorts — a favorite gathering spot for those in the community and beyond. The Eggerts said they are grateful for the friendships made along the way.

All the smiling faces and memories created with customers and the employees of the bowling alley are what they will miss the most, they said.

“Nobody hurts more than my family that we are not open for a business that we love,” Eggert said. “Not seeing everyone every day will be the hardest and today is not only a sad day for us but also a sad day for bowling as another center is closing permanently.”

Click here to see the Eggert family’s full statement on Bowl Long Island’s closure.

Top: Interior of Bowl Long Island during Christmas time. Photo courtesy of the business’s Facebook page.