Comments on: Theresa Stays at Western Lanes

By: michael schumpelt

michael schumpelt — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:04:01 +0000

you go grandma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Ocell

Ocell — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 03:45:21 +0000

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.

By: Chuck U. Farley

Chuck U. Farley — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:21:42 +0000

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.

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:48:53 +0000

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!

By: Amy G.

Amy G. — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:53:18 +0000

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.

By: John

John — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:01:28 +0000

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.

By: dt

dt — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:18:52 +0000

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!

By: AWS

AWS — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:17:19 +0000

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!