By Daniel Massey
Americana Lanes, which closed Saturday, may reopen before Labor Day if two Ozone Park bowlers have their way.
Mike Macchio and Diane Franzem signed a lease Friday to take over and possibly reopen the establishment at 9818 Rockaway Blvd. by the beginning of September, Macchio said.
Their landlord has begun negotiations with AMF Worldwide to retain the infrastructure of the facility, Macchio said. AMF had previously indicated it would not leave its equipment behind for competitive reasons. The Virginia-based company also owns Van Wyck Lanes in Richmond Hill.
“Things are working out very well,” Macchio said. “The corporation is starting to talk to us so maybe things will change in the next week so we won’t have to spend $2 million.”
AMF decided to shutter the business, which has been open for 42 years, because it is not making money, said Merrell Wreden, a company spokesman.
The closure means leagues, camps, schools and recreational bowlers from Ozone Park and Howard Beach will have to bowl at either Woodhaven Lanes in Glendale or Van Wyck Lanes in Richmond Hill.
But Macchio, who ran the bowling alley’s pro shop for 18 years, and Franzem, who once managed the facility, are determined to bring those bowlers back to Ozone Park in three months.
