After 49 Years, Marzano's is Closing

By Rachelle Bowden in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 19, 2004 4:31PM

Marzano's Miami Bowl on Chicago's Southwest Side is closing after 49 years. As Chicago's largest bowling alley, Marzano's boasts of 80 lanes, 13 pool tables, 2 restaurants, and a banquet hall. Dan Marzano, the current manager, says that they'll be closing because business has been bad ever since 9/11. He also said that because of the size of the place it's really expensive to run. Marzano's was started by Dan's grandfather and great-uncle in 1955, a peak time in America's bowling popularity.

Chicagoist was trolling around the internet trying to find more information on Marzano's when we came across this photo essay by Yvette Marie Dostatni. We think she really captures the spirit of the old bowling alley and the people in her photographs are really just so interesting.. we keep going back and looking at them over & over.

Marzano's is going to be open until August 15, so you still have a chance to visit. After that, there's probably no alley than can replace Marzano's, but here is a directory of other Chicago bowling alleys.