WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

My 2020 9 month story

brgrcru

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No we are not having a baby
Some of you knew , that I owned ,a little 8 lane bowling alley , in montrose . one of the oldest allies in California or the west. Started in 1936.
Been in my family since 1980. I have been involved since the early 2000's. My dad asked if I could run it for him . he was battling with a sickness.
We lived in canyon lake and I ran a trucking transfer business , as a o/o. For years. Before. So we sold everything and moved back to where I grew up.
Leased from him and my mom, for about 10 years . Until they both passed away . Then had to buy sister out , for a shit load of money .

The montrose bowl specialized in private events , movie , music video and even a bit of porn shoots in the early days . Rent the entire bowl for your party . We were doing between 40-60 events a month. Why ? well you could have a party at montrose , for almost less , then you could do one at home . For 80 of your guests . With no clean up and mess at your house .
When we bought sister out we quickly put new plumbing , electric, sewer, a/c, and lanes.
Fun Business to run as 99% of time , we had happy people to deal with. Great fun entertaining venue . But still a business and most every weekend and holidays we were at the bowl ,enjoying the hosts events.
More or less just the wife and I ran the place. With one extra local kid to help.
We had a very rich life . Not money wise , but could do what we wanted , When we Want. Leave for River sunday night come back Wednesday Glamis , skiing or nothing. Kind of a dream business and life.
But it was also taxing and we thought of selling and moving out of califorina . At 55 We decided to keep going for another 10 years.
Then 2020 hit . January we started feeling the slow down , no more bookings . By February were doing a few events , that were pre booked . By March completely dry. Not one event. Tried open bowling . Not many showed up , it was costing me more to stay open , then just close up and hang. Was threatened by the city . All this time I still had to make all the payments mortgage tax ins.elec. etc. thank full we had money saved.
By June , I was in a bad place mentally , what the hell am I going to do? physically I was still mountain biking and hiking .
mountain biking , I flew off the same big jump I always do , crashed and broke my wrist.
The day before, I signed up for truck driving school. I let my class a license expire. I never thought , I would drive a truck again .
Went to school and passed my test , with a cast on my hand.
By late July my bowl broker told me , we had some interest , in the bowl. One family would like to buy it .
They hit me in the knees , with there offer , we came with a little more , not going to be greedy , we accepted . After throwing over 8 k a month into something , with no income , I had no choice . I didn't see us opening anytime soon. It will take years , to get it back , to what it once was.
So the bowl is sold and I have my money , after 40 years in our family , it's a sad day , but thank God every day that someone , bought it ,that can sit , on it for a few years.
To my demise , somebody capitalized .
We Will miss the life that we had , and the bowling alley . But that's life . We moved on , the transition was easier . Because we were not working it everyday.
In the end we lost so much money, value on property, Income , expenses .
Made some of it back. On sale . More or less set for life . But I like to work . 9 months at home , no thanks .
Life goes full circle , now I'm back to trucking , running local flatbeds , and loving it . Until we find what our next chapter brings .
Sorry for the long thread , but never give up and allways look forward . Kind of been my motto .
Cheers , Bob
 

TrojanDan

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Sorry to hear that. I live in La Crescenta and have enjoyed your retro- throwback bowling alley many times. My kids often attended parties there for their classmates. Tonight, being Halloween, was one of the funnest days to be on Honolulu Ave.

Good luck on your next venture.
 

HOOTER SLED-

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Sometimes I always say.......shit happens for a reason. Hopefully for the best in your case. Good luck man....dont look back. 👍
 

Looking Glass

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No we are not having a baby
Some of you knew , that I owned ,a little 8 lane bowling alley , in montrose . one of the oldest allies in California or the west. Started in 1936.
Been in my family since 1980. I have been involved since the early 2000's. My dad asked if I could run it for him . he was battling with a sickness.
We lived in canyon lake and I ran a trucking transfer business , as a o/o. For years. Before. So we sold everything and moved back to where I grew up.
Leased from him and my mom, for about 10 years . Until they both passed away . Then had to buy sister out , for a shit load of money .

The montrose bowl specialized in private events , movie , music video and even a bit of porn shoots in the early days . Rent the entire bowl for your party . We were doing between 40-60 events a month. Why ? well you could have a party at montrose , for almost less , then you could do one at home . For 80 of your guests . With no clean up and mess at your house .
When we bought sister out we quickly put new plumbing , electric, sewer, a/c, and lanes.
Fun Business to run as 99% of time , we had happy people to deal with. Great fun entertaining venue . But still a business and most every weekend and holidays we were at the bowl ,enjoying the hosts events.
More or less just the wife and I ran the place. With one extra local kid to help.
We had a very rich life . Not money wise , but could do what we wanted , When we Want. Leave for River sunday night come back Wednesday Glamis , skiing or nothing. Kind of a dream business and life.
But it was also taxing and we thought of selling and moving out of califorina . At 55 We decided to keep going for another 10 years.
Then 2020 hit . January we started feeling the slow down , no more bookings . By February were doing a few events , that were pre booked . By March completely dry. Not one event. Tried open bowling . Not many showed up , it was costing me more to stay open , then just close up and hang. Was threatened by the city . All this time I still had to make all the payments mortgage tax ins.elec. etc. thank full we had money saved.
By June , I was in a bad place mentally , what the hell am I going to do? physically I was still mountain biking and hiking .
mountain biking , I flew off the same big jump I always do , crashed and broke my wrist.
The day before, I signed up for truck driving school. I let my class a license expire. I never thought , I would drive a truck again .
Went to school and passed my test , with a cast on my hand.
By late July my bowl broker told me , we had some interest , in the bowl. One family would like to buy it .
They hit me in the knees , with there offer , we came with a little more , not going to be greedy , we accepted . After throwing over 8 k a month into something , with no income , I had no choice . I didn't see us opening anytime soon. It will take years , to get it back , to what it once was.
So the bowl is sold and I have my money , after 40 years in our family , it's a sad day , but thank God every day that someone , bought it ,that can sit , on it for a few years.
To my demise , somebody capitalized .
We Will miss the life that we had , and the bowling alley . But that's life . We moved on , the transition was easier . Because we were not working it everyday.
In the end we lost so much money, value on property, Income , expenses .
Made some of it back. On sale . More or less set for life . But I like to work . 9 months at home , no thanks .
Life goes full circle , now I'm back to trucking , running local flatbeds , and loving it . Until we find what our next chapter brings .
Sorry for the long thread , but never give up and allways look forward . Kind of been my motto .
Cheers , Bob


Did you not Qualify for the Stimulus help? Damn, here you and your Wife sit and IMO more than deserving for the assistance. There are so many who did get it and sure do not need or deserve it. There are countless stories of the ones who did "SUCK" the system and then have New Vehicles, Boats, Homes on and on. One thig I am sure about, when you and your Bride go to bed at night can have a Clear Mind knowing you Did it Your Way.

Best of luck in 2021 and way beyond. You two are an inspiration to show, although would be easy to throw it in just plow on.

No matter how well intentioned, the System does not work.

Thanks again for shaking me up on all the "TRASH" that is going around us, and making me remember what is really important. = Family
 

Done-it-again

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You o/o? I could use another option for local job site delivery’s.

You have a great attitude, I just hope that I do when facing similar circumstances.
 

MOUZER

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drove at big rig for 43 yrs now i loved doing it....we even did owner operater for a few yrs....local driver home every night but i also sold v drive flattys for about 25 yrs fixed them up and sold and parts just as a hobby......i thimk well i know your a great customer of mine LOL.......so glad to hear things r going good for you.....
 

500bbc

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S
No we are not having a baby
Some of you knew , that I owned ,a little 8 lane bowling alley , in montrose . one of the oldest allies in California or the west. Started in 1936.
Been in my family since 1980. I have been involved since the early 2000's. My dad asked if I could run it for him . he was battling with a sickness.
We lived in canyon lake and I ran a trucking transfer business , as a o/o. For years. Before. So we sold everything and moved back to where I grew up.
Leased from him and my mom, for about 10 years . Until they both passed away . Then had to buy sister out , for a shit load of money .

The montrose bowl specialized in private events , movie , music video and even a bit of porn shoots in the early days . Rent the entire bowl for your party . We were doing between 40-60 events a month. Why ? well you could have a party at montrose , for almost less , then you could do one at home . For 80 of your guests . With no clean up and mess at your house .
When we bought sister out we quickly put new plumbing , electric, sewer, a/c, and lanes.
Fun Business to run as 99% of time , we had happy people to deal with. Great fun entertaining venue . But still a business and most every weekend and holidays we were at the bowl ,enjoying the hosts events.
More or less just the wife and I ran the place. With one extra local kid to help.
We had a very rich life . Not money wise , but could do what we wanted , When we Want. Leave for River sunday night come back Wednesday Glamis , skiing or nothing. Kind of a dream business and life.
But it was also taxing and we thought of selling and moving out of califorina . At 55 We decided to keep going for another 10 years.
Then 2020 hit . January we started feeling the slow down , no more bookings . By February were doing a few events , that were pre booked . By March completely dry. Not one event. Tried open bowling . Not many showed up , it was costing me more to stay open , then just close up and hang. Was threatened by the city . All this time I still had to make all the payments mortgage tax ins.elec. etc. thank full we had money saved.
By June , I was in a bad place mentally , what the hell am I going to do? physically I was still mountain biking and hiking .
mountain biking , I flew off the same big jump I always do , crashed and broke my wrist.
The day before, I signed up for truck driving school. I let my class a license expire. I never thought , I would drive a truck again .
Went to school and passed my test , with a cast on my hand.
By late July my bowl broker told me , we had some interest , in the bowl. One family would like to buy it .
They hit me in the knees , with there offer , we came with a little more , not going to be greedy , we accepted . After throwing over 8 k a month into something , with no income , I had no choice . I didn't see us opening anytime soon. It will take years , to get it back , to what it once was.
So the bowl is sold and I have my money , after 40 years in our family , it's a sad day , but thank God every day that someone , bought it ,that can sit , on it for a few years.
To my demise , somebody capitalized .
We Will miss the life that we had , and the bowling alley . But that's life . We moved on , the transition was easier . Because we were not working it everyday.
In the end we lost so much money, value on property, Income , expenses .
Made some of it back. On sale . More or less set for life . But I like to work . 9 months at home , no thanks .
Life goes full circle , now I'm back to trucking , running local flatbeds , and loving it . Until we find what our next chapter brings .
Sorry for the long thread , but never give up and allways look forward . Kind of been my motto .
Cheers , Bob
So sorry to hear, good luck on your new venture.
 

HNL2LHC

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Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear the end of your family’s venture. I am running a 3rd generation family business and it is difficult to let it go. Best to you and your wife in the new direction in life.
 

twocents

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Sorry to hear. By the time this pandemic is over, there will be a lot of California bowliing alleys gone and converted into 'For Lease' buildings or something else. From what I'm reading in my monthly bowliing newsletter, 49 sttaes are open for some type of bowling business operations -- California is the ONLY state that contiinues to shut bowling alleys off completely.
 

AZmike

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You have a refreshing outlook on life, and managed to remain positive which is difficult to do these days! Congrats on getting back into trucking, I'm sure all the changes in that field since you left has you shaking your head? I got back into trucking in 2018 and it was difficult finding good work at first. It took about a year before I found good local work.
 

gqchris

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Sorry to hear about the loss of the biz.

One of my clients, Fountain Bowl just shut down I heard. Pains me to hear of generational business shuttering their doors.
 

HCP3

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Thank you for sharing, Bob. I remember you sharing your struggles early on in another thread. I am happy to hear that you are staying positive despite the curve balls thrown at you. Wishing you and the family the best moving forward.
 

monkeyswrench

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There are many businesses that are being forced out. Not many couples can survive this. It can be as hard on a marriage as it is on finances. Sometimes, pulling through with your family and a home is all you really need.

When you're flat on your back, beat up but not broken, there's only one place to go...up.

When I thought I had it all, I lost it. Turned out, I didn't need it all. It does help you appreciate what you do have.

Hit the ground running...or in your case, shifting gears.
 

Jimmyv

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Brgrcru
I applaud you for being able to do this. Many folks would let their emotions get in the way and cloud their options, especially when the business has family history. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but if you want to survive in this world we all have to be pragmatic and be capable of making the hard decisions.

Good for you and I wish you success and happiness in the next venture.

Cheers
James
 

RodnJen

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You and your family made a lot of good decisions leading up to the events of 2020. Your hard work and good decisions have helped you land on your feet. Best of luck in your new direction.
 

brgrcru

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a few things came to mind . while this was going down.
stay married, be a good person.
do what ever you can, to keep the house.
try not to sell all your toys, unless you absolutely need to . cause once you start , its a fast moving snowball downward.
do not go into debt. trying to save a sinking ship. we lived debt free. accept for mortgages.
put your pride in your back pocket
go back to doing, what you loved and know. (trucking) this decision alone , gave me a big relief. once I had my class a license again, I knew my wife and I will be okay.

even though we made out, financially on the sale. I'm not ready, to not work. having some type of income , by working. gives me a purpose. to get out and make some money. be it a driver, or get back into the game of o/o . for now my stress level went from 100% to almost nothing.
the next big move will be . do we stay in calif. or move out of state?
I hate moving. we like where we live.
in 2021 we will make that decision.
 

Bullet28

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I hate to see something like this happen to any family business, but happy that you were able to get out of continuing to loose money. My friend years ago hung onto something for to long and it took him all the way down.
 

brgrcru

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I hate to see something like this happen to any family business, but happy that you were able to get out of continuing to loose money. My friend years ago hung onto something for to long and it took him all the way down.

I heard that from far to many people .
 

musicFunsun

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Blessings to to and your family. Been to Montrose many times, great town but as you know , doing what’s best for your family..........Stay strong!
 

Willie B

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...I have a friend in Whiting Woods...A couple of times going to visit him I cruised by your bowling alley hoping to see it opened...never got the pleasure...🥺
 

brgrcru

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Sorry to read this and good luck to you and your family. Was really hoping we could have a RDP party at your bowling alley once this is all over.

Ya me too. Kind of bums me out , that we did not . Always wanted to do something . Could of turned Into a yearly event.
 

brgrcru

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You have a refreshing outlook on life, and managed to remain positive which is difficult to do these days! Congrats on getting back into trucking, I'm sure all the changes in that field since you left has you shaking your head? I got back into trucking in 2018 and it was difficult finding good work at first. It took about a year before I found good local work.

Yes it has changed . The one thing that stands out . Lots of Big rig drivers are , driving like lunatics. Speeding, tailgating running in the number two lane. No much chatter on the cb . Selfishness is way up on the list also.
 

LuauLounge

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Although, selling was not your first choice, it may have been a blessing in disguise.
No one knows how long this is going to go on and once it's over, how society will look at indoor activities.
 

77charger

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Now time to leave ca. I’m traveling from az to ca for work might work 2 then take 3 off stay at moms for free I get my own sch but right now thinking getting a class a lic. I’m 48 and can’t stay home uncle runs dump trucks says I have job if I get license.
 

AZmike

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Yes it has changed . The one thing that stands out . Lots of Big rig drivers are , driving like lunatics. Speeding, tailgating running in the number two lane. No much chatter on the cb . Selfishness is way up on the list also.

I know it's crazy out there now! I don't even bother with a CB anymore. I can't believe the amount of drivers on their phones, and very few truck drivers help each other out! I try to still be old school but its hard with all the middle eastern crazy truckers now!
 

rivermobster

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I remember our conversation at the river quite well...

Hate that you had to loose the place, but happy you landed on your feet.

You still owe me a ride...

;)
 

SCV2RVR

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I grew up in La Crescenta / Montrose. We loved having parties at the bowling alley and I was there twice in February for 2 parties. I wish you guys well with your new adventure and Thank you for all the wonderful parties you have let us enjoy there. Jason
 
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