Parkside Lanes in Aurora Celebrates 70 Years

Parkside Lanes, located at Route 30 and Montgomery Road in Aurora, marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 70th anniversary. The bowling alley, managed by fourth-generation general manager Kurt Frieders, planned this celebration for a long time, aiming to enhance the venue with renovations and improvements.

Frieders emphasized their goal to conclude this anniversary with a grand party. Visitors, including Joey Becker of Aurora, shared their sentiments about the venue, highlighting its homely, non-commercial atmosphere. Becker, a frequent visitor for over 20 years, expressed the friendly interactions with staff and patrons.

The anniversary weekend featured themed activities, offering hot dogs, soft drinks, and bowling at 70 cents each. Long-time customers like Dylan Melgosa, also attended, recalling the enjoyable atmosphere and his family’s involvement in the leagues.

Another devoted patron, Ramon Rodriguez, shared his six-decade history with Parkside Lanes, recalling his father’s bowling interest. Rodriguez praised the friendly staff and noted his impressive achievement of multiple perfect games.

“I still come because of the employees. They’re all super-friendly. I enjoy bowling and it gets me out of the house and is something you can do 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Rodriguez stated.

Frieders commented on the resilience of the bowling industry. Despite the closure of several bowling centers, Parkside Lanes thrives, especially after the challenges posed by COVID-19. He expressed gratitude for the returning customers, noting increased patronage compared to pre-pandemic times.

Operations Manager Stephanie Bonczyk reported a robust daily visitor count of over 800, with nearly 6,000 weekly guests.

Reflecting on its evolution, Frieders highlighted key changes, such as the shift to automatic scoring in 1989, a pioneering move in the Fox Valley area. This innovation simplified scorekeeping, adapting to modern expectations.

Another advancement was the introduction of bumpers, preventing balls from falling into gutters, encouraging young bowlers. Frieders believed this invention enabled children to engage more positively with the sport.

Looking forward, Frieders expressed optimism about Parkside Lanes’ future, grounded in family legacy. His great-grandfather founded the business in 1956, creating a longstanding establishment supported by dedicated employees. He acknowledged senior staff like Stephanie Bonczyk, with almost 50 years of service, exemplifying the family’s commitment.

Parkside Lanes continues to hold its place as a family-oriented, community-focused venue, celebrating its rich history and promising a vibrant future.

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.