Theresa Stays at Western Lanes
A few days ago, I learned of changes in the works for one of my favorite hangout spots, Western Lanes. The News & Observer reported that the bowling alley with the long-unchanged décor recently came into the hands of new owners.
Trying to catch a Miller Lite while holding a camera isn’t as easy as it looks.
I was relieved to learn that the new owners would be keeping most of the interior elements that make this place special, but was concerned after reading this one bit of speculation from the article:
the mainstays — [Theresa] Fenner and Cathy Richards, who has waited tables for more than 40 years, even when the restaurant was segregated and she was barred from eating there — can stay when the place reopens. But whether they will is uncertain.The only certainty is the counter’s fate: Fenner will be taking it home once it is extracted.
If you’ve ever ordered a beer or had lunch here, you know the great service that the place provides. Luckily for patrons of Western Lanes, Theresa confirmed that they will remain on as a part of the staff once the restaurant reopens after rennovations. Whether or not her trademark sliding beer delivery will continue remains uncertain.
Beyond the staff, part of the appeal of this hidden treasure on Hillsborough Street is the fact that it is a living and breathing time capsule. While some lament the fact it doesn’t have the modern convenience of electronic scoreboards, I see it as a benefit. Electronic scoreboards are frequently prone to inaccurate scores as well as delays, which can negatively affect the experience. It also disconnects you more from your score and the importance of a strike or spare. When you are adding numbers to an X
or /
in a frame, you are reminded how knocking down all the pins can increase your chances of winning.
I took a bowling as a physical education class at NCSU, and when mentioning this, the first thing that comes to everyone’s minds is: “Wow! What an easy class!” I then become the subject of their laughter when revealing I got a C. The thing is, it’s not an easy class. Your grade is determined by two factors: Your average score at the end of the year, and the rate of improvement you demonstrate throughout the semester. I’m terrible at sports and didn’t improve at a rate well enough to ensure a good grade. Regardless of my subpar performance in the class, I had a great time and learned a lot. Unfortunately, it still hasn’t helped my score much. I’m pretty happy if I can break 100.
The asset of any business is the staff they employ, and bowling here would not have been the same without the restaurant staff that has served patrons for decades. While I’m glad most of the décor will remain intact, I’m even happier the staff that have been here for so long will continue to serve my food, sling my beers, and provide me with temporary use of the most stylish shoes on the planet.
What are some of your memories or experiences with Western Lanes?
12/07/2008
Thanks so much for following up on the N&O story. I too was wondering about the fate of the ladies in the restaurant! One of the funniest things I remember is bowling late one night and the Restaurant was about to close – so I ran in to buy beers for the crowd of people I was with. I wasn’t fast enough to catch all of them as they came flying down the counter – UGH! all over the floor!
12/07/2008
I love this place and couldn’t be happier to hear that Theresa is staying. Back in 2002-2003, we had a Boys NIght Out bowling league that met every week and sure enough, she knew exactley which beer each one of us drank and never stop supplying them. After the N&O article we went back and talked to her for a while and at that time, she still thought that she was not oging be retained, I think it is great that the new owners are keeping her on and it will ensure that when I go bowling in Raleigh, I will go to Hillsborough to do it. Thanks for the follow up!
12/07/2008
AWS – What I didn’t mention in the article was that while trying to position my camera and my hand to catch the beer, I missed two beers, and they hit the floor. I wouldn’t let her get me another beer, as it was my fault they fell. She then made sure I opened it outside of the bar! I can only imagine trying to catch several.
dt – A decision must have been made recently about this, because it was only last night (Saturday) that she confirmed they would be returning after renovations. She mentioned that once the owners got to meet everyone and talk to everyone, they wanted to make sure they stayed on.
Losing Theresa and Cathy would have not only done a great disservice to the lanes and to Raleigh, but most certainly would have hurt business for the owners, too.
12/07/2008
I have mixed feelings about the renovations. I hate to see the charm of Western Lanes destroyed, but since Jim and I bowl with serious bowlers, they rarely want to go to Western because their bowling balls always get chipped. I’m interested to see what happens.
12/08/2008
Great shot of Teresa and you attempting to catch the speeding beer! I too took the PE bowling class there too when I was at NC State back in the early 1970s. And as I recall I did as about as well as you did! Years later, when I started work at State, my department was in Ricks Hall, right across Hillsboro St. from the bowling alley (and Baxley’s, Mitch’s, the Varsity Theater and the Rathskeller). At least once a week a gang of us would go over there for lunch. The bowling alley restaurant served typical “Southern” diner food. Usually I’d get barbecue, but sometimes I’d get the grilled cheese sandwich: one slice of American cheese on white bread, pressed flat as a pancake! It came with with sliced pickles on the side. I remember Cathy the waitress very well. I had no idea she was still there, as I am talking 25 years ago! I remember Teresa too, of course, but I never drank beer during lunch!
12/11/2008
From the age of 3 to somewhere around 10-11, I spent every Friday night in a bowling alley like this one. The long-necks of Falls City and Oertles 92 beer, cigarette smoke so heavy it’d kill an environmentalist, hamburgers and french fries that are to this day the best I’ve ever had.
This place is special to me… and I’ve never been in there before.
12/13/2008
Awesome post and photos. I also took the NCSU PE class, but only about 4 years ago. I didn’t realize the place was under new ownership and renovation. It’s great to know that they’re going to be keeping the things that make Western Lanes so charming. Thanks for the update.
08/19/2010
you go grandma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!