New Bowling Alley Set to Open Thursday

The wait is over.

After weeks of anticipation, Riverhead will welcome a new bowling alley as doors to the brand-new  on Route 25 officially open on Thursday afternoon.

Johanna Chester, event sales manager, said the bowling alley will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight for the first two weeks; beginning on September 16, the bowling alley will begin its normal schedule, open from 11 a.m. till midnight.

Recently, Chester manned a booth at the  where residents took their chances and spun a wheel to win prizes including free games and discounted appetizers.

Parties are already being booked at the new alley, according to signs at the booth.

In , co-owner Chris Smith, who was on-site supervising workmen that were busy both inside and out, said he believed the bowling alley will be ready for business by some time in August.

Smith said he is "thrilled" at the prospect of opening day.

The news comes after months of waiting by an eager community who have long expressed excitement about a new bowling alley in town.

A few months ago, Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter predicted the  sometime during the summer season.

Originally, developer Joe Albanese planned to open Bowl 58 at the location, but although he got the green light for tax abatements and a certificate of occupancy, plans were scrapped and the 

Businessmen Jeffrey Rimland and Smith, Walter said, who now own the building, told him that plans were moving forward.

In February, the  request for tax abatements to move forward with developing the parcel.

Are you excited about the new bowling alley? Will you bring your family there for opening night -- or over the weekend? Let us know in the comments section.