Stumbling Upon Forgotten Money, Liquor, and Ammo in an Abandoned Bowling Alley

This bowling alley has quite the sad history. The previous owner had passed away leaving this entire bowling alley to the family. Unfortunately they were not able to keep up with it and ultimately had to close. Through the offices we found some very curious items. The will of the previous owner, death certificate, and even the obituary. It still shocks me to see all of the equipment and items left.
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[@joethompson5673]

I moved out of Detroit in 2001... We used to come up to Pampas for the Rock and Bowl on Friday and Saturday nights... sad to see it in this shape

[@DetroitEXP]

That's really interesting. Growing up in this area, I never actually got to go to this alley.

[@niecek.6473]

No way! This was Pampa Lanes? before they Demo’d it! Jim Bruises & his brother Larry owned it (Name not spelled right)… my brother in law Mike Cook (died last October) Mike managed it for years and hired me in the 70ties… I worked in the disco “The Sound Machine” my husband Joe Cook came back from California, and that is where we met! So many memories ❤️ this is your cousin in california… Denise ❌⭕️❌⭕️

[@niecek.6473]

Detroit EXP never takes anything ❤️ everything inside was auctioned off. My brother in law said his friend has two of the lanes in his house ❤️

[@madisongreene8853]

Pampa Lanes had the Brunswick A-2 pinsetters, which I have been a mechanic on for many years. I used to love rebuilding those pinsetters. It's a shame so many bowling centers closing these days but the demand for bowling is long gone.

[@crxmovies19]

Where did you train? Good money ?

[@rays242]

This was a competitor of ours. I own an alley not far....we are getting strangled by this covid thing. I hope we dont share this fate

[@Kirby07]

Man.. Those A-2 machines are expensive and probably can still operate. Sad to see these beautiful machinery didn't get sold.

[@chernobyldgnmod]

Risking WPD...I live in this city and they're super overzealous, you guys have guts

[@tamarawalker8973]

Can't believe it's in such good shape. Looks like it was pretty nice. Love the ones with so much left behind. Before the thieves & taggers get to it. Great explore! Great light!!

[@joethompson5673]

tamara walker the place was pretty sweet when it was up and running... They used to do the Friday and Saturday nights Moonlight Rock and Bowl there the place was all lit up with black lights the tunes were pumping... Was a good time... it's really sad to see it like this... thinking of all the free beers I want on that pool table... and all the drinks I bought other people because I'm a terrible bowler LOL

[@tamarawalker8973]

@@joethompson5673 sounds like you have fun memories. Bowling is just fun, doesn't matter if your good at it. Lol.

[@DetroitEXP]

It's incredible the amount of stuff that is left behind. Honestly blow my mind. Thanks for watching.

[@paulsolfelt8452]

@@joethompson5673 where are the red , green and yellow pins they would use for moonlight bowling games, ? hit those in a certain order and you win more $

[@DoubleDsp]

All that booze is still good. Surprised it's still there in that area! Kinda makes me want to visit.

[@DetroitEXP]

Most if it was actually unopened. Thanks for watching.

[@dopeexplorers3133]

dan pascal too late beat u to it

[@mishakimble9840]

This was my Family's Bowling Alley (Espo's) before they sold it to the people who let it go to shit and abandoned it. This was our legacy and home that has been ruined, my childhood growing up in there, working in the banquet centers all of it had been destroyed after my family had to sell it. My Aunt and Uncle, my parents and the rest of our family are absolutely HEART BROKEN that this is what it has become. I AM STILL IN ABSOLUTE TEARS OVER THIS VIDEO. Max (Strange Places) Could you please send me a copy of all of this and the part 2 of the lounge/bar area in here as well? PLEASE??? The city won't let us in and all we want are a few bricks from the building we loved😭😭😭💔💔💔 before it is flattened forever.

[@mrsandmom5947]

@Misha Kimble so sorry.

[@clevelandbci9562]

Sorry for your loss. That's definitely got to hurt.

[@crazybenzy3426]

Your family's bowling alley? It belongs to the Bruczessi family since it opened in the sixties. The father used to own Fantasy Lanes in Detroit and decided to build a new bowling alley in Warren on Van Dyke. The place caught on fire and burned down around the early sixties. They rebuilt it but the father passed away before he seen it rebuilt. There's a picture on KZbin when it caught fire. There was even a recording studio that was used by many of the local Talent from Detroit. The mother of the original owner passed away about 20 years later and left her son to run the place. Then a few years before it closed down Larry's son passed away. The rest of the family didn't seem too interested keep the place open. The reason it close down is because he let bills pile up because allegedly Larry had a gambling problem. He tried to keep it running by a huge gasoline-powered generator on the outside of the building. Some of you will remember that. Unfortunately the generator wasn't strong enough to run the lanes and they had problems with the voltage keeping up. So unless you belong to that family that is not your Bowling Center.

[@crazybenzy3426]

By the way the story of Pampa Lanes in Warren Michigan is available and prove that you did not sell a bowling alley

[@jon8885]

this is so sad! i used to bowl here on saturday mornings right up until they were about to close down. never would’ve thought it would end up like this :(

[@DetroitEXP]

Very sad. It's crazy how much stuff is left inside.

[@Lancegirl4]

Being in the bowling industry. I can imagine closing, if the family couldnt keep up. But there are so many parts that could of been sold to other centers. Lanes, machines, tables. Etc. some bowling centers cant replace the scoring system and monitors. I wonder why they didnt Sell some of it? Wonder if the lane machine to oil is there. That can cost $25k+ per lane machine. Probably some amazing gem bowling balls in there too people would buy.

[@Lancegirl4]

It caught fire in 2019.

[@LANESxNOWONLYx]

@@Lancegirl4 Total loss?

[@ericjohn8466]

Sadly, a few of these local centers revert to auctioning items off to make some money before closing for good. Including ball return systems, scoring systems, whole lanes, etc. for far below what they cost. I was part of the auction company that auctioned off Continental in Roseville, Salt River in New Baltimore, and Fountainview (which my my Mom worked at for years and where i bowled when i was younger) and also Chaplins Comedy club. Fountainview was bought after closing back in 07-08 i believe to someone who kept all the lanes and everything else bowlimg related intact and tried making it a teen night club which failed and was sold again to another person i knew who tried revamping back to a bowling alley but had to abandon due to another financial investment that needed immediate attention. Currently (June 2021) the site is being transformed into a large scale storage facility.

[@MellowMechanic87]

Bowling mechanic here on 82-70s love the video, I have a KZbin channel all about the back end of the ally

[@railroadskater2896]

Different!! A Lazy susan for shoe storage. What a shame about this place, some of the equipment doesn't look all that old.

[@cheezybeans6692]

This makes me so sad knowing that someone just shut it down even though people went it's also sad about how much stuff was left behind like it could have been donated to other alleys being a bowler myself this just makes me sad knowing that this is just sitting there and decaying and breaking down by the day knowing that all those shoes balls and pins are sitting there waiting to just break down it sucks bowling is such a mislead sport but if you take time to do it us so much fun anyways hope u guys have fun and I hope to explore this someday

[@Melly_z]

umm so I just came to the realization that I need to get out more and I have legit been sleeping under a rock. I have only visited there a few times but I didn't know all of this happened... This was a great video! Kudos xx makes me want to go exploring!

[@DetroitEXP]

Thanks for the comment! This place has gone down hill recently.

[@luckylambdin8269]

My hometown lost my childhood bowling alley to a hurricane in 1983 - it lay fallow for years & years & was finally demolished. I can't understand why everyone left so many items behind here at Pampa's.

[@DetroitEXP]

Seems like they forgot about this place. Very sad to see.

[@discoron77]

2:21 pretty sure I played pool on that table before.

[@joethompson5673]

Opee Cee. It's been 16 years since I've been back there but I want to say it's at 12 and Gratiot it used to be the old Pampas bowling lanes they had the Saturday night Rock and bowl there

[@joethompson5673]

Opee Cee i did

[@DetroitEXP]

Really interesting. I unfortunately never got the chance to go to this alley. Looks awesome though.

[@JB-bs1se]

Those storm sirens going off in the back ground really gives off that creepy feeling

[@DetroitEXP]

Yes it was very unexpected.

[@gmtawny7183]

It amazes me just what people leave behind!

[@DetroitEXP]

It's honestly incredible. So much value left behind. Totally forgotten.

[@Onj207]

At least take your pictures!

[@Free4All]

We literally just explored this place a few days ago 😂 great exploration video! Keep it up

[@gfhrsthgasfsdgadfg9090]

Free4All Did u take the bowling pins and a ball back home lol i wanna do that

[@carsomichigan]

You should go back and explore the basement. Bob Segar recorded in the studio down there and I would love to see what that looks like.

[@Urban_exploring26]

Place is completely striped down to the bone now

[@carsomichigan]

@@Urban_exploring26 Did you check out the basement?

[@Urban_exploring26]

@@carsomichigan I couldn’t find it anywhere

[@carsomichigan]

@@Urban_exploring26 Darn

[@coffeepot3123]

There should've been a bowling alley in a Fallout game tbh, but like the "Wild Wasteland Perk" so you see old bowlers turned ghouls, still bowling after the bombs fell, and the entrance was blocked off, and they only attack if you interrupt their game!.

[@crazybenzy3426]

There was a recording studio in there look on the back of your live bullet CD Bob Seger or album it was mixed in the studio at Pampas.

[@kjkj6362]

I always get amazed when I see old recorded paper documents left in binders from years ago. We used to hold everything and all it does it collect dust and take up space most of the time until someone, eventually throws it all away

[@traceylockaby9982]

Used to be a nice bowling alley and Bar

[@fadishaje1616]

Tracey Lockaby okay do Yk the address to it

[@Zsa380]

Pool tablebowling is a good time to 😊😊❤😂

[@FredrikMin-HyeokAndreassen]

It’s my favourite of the abandoned ones…

[@Urban_exploring26]

It’s unfortunately completely striped to the bone now absolutely no resemblance of what it used to be 😢

[@DetroitEXP]

This is what I heard, I drive by frequently. I believe it had a fire within the past few years that destroyed a lot of character from inside.

[@patriciacomeaux211]

I can't believe 😪 they took everything but the penny's 🎉❤🎉❤

[@CursedLemon]

I used to go here all the time with a friend who lived in the adjacent condo complex. This is depressing.

[@fadishaje1616]

Cursed Lemon where is it at

[@CursedLemon]

@@fadishaje1616 Detroit suburb

[@jimlepardigitalmaging]

there is so much in here that they just could have sold and made so money back and the Brunswick pinsetters are a perfect example

[@DetroitEXP]

I totally agree with you on that. The monetary value of the stuff in here is incredible.

[@letaloudone]

Actually no there is not a huge monetary value on the equipment anymore. I seen part at the end of this video that a few of the pinsetters were closed.

[@Raidergeek34]

damn lucky you got there I did a quick search looks like it caught on fire

[@clevelandbci9562]

Damn, that sucks.

[@paulsolfelt8452]

my ex brother in law worked at a bowling alley that burnt down in a fire, someone said he did it because he was fired, when i asked him he said no, they had just waxed the lanes and a welding spark working on the pinsetters had strayed and started it, i guess we will never know, he was not arrested in the case. !

[@closeddoors11]

it’s not badly damaged at all you can still go and have fun 👍👍👍

[@cherylgillis4978]

It looks like others have been in there Use to go there in the 70's. What a shame and shame on the family

[@tinamarie6492]

Cheryl Gillis things happen. Shame on you for shaming a family that probably couldn't make ends meet. Fool.

[@barbaracleri123]

So sad AWWW.

[@porto_bowls2807]

Some of those balls are actually worth a lot of money depending on the brand if its storm or moto they're worth it

[@DetroitEXP]

Interesting! Thanks for this perspective. I never knew anything about bowling honestly.

[@Dragonborn_1992]

I used to have a league at this bowling alley

[@VinceOlson96]

It's crazy that they left all that stuff behind. Also I kinda want to go there now and see if the drinks you poured out are still sitting there.

[@DetroitEXP]

This place suffered a fire a year or so after this video, I'm not sure if they are still there.

[@Urban_exploring26]

It’s unfortunately completely striped to the bone now😢

[@Greggys10Pins]

Hard to watch. It is sad though. I have seen centers that owe money and the bank will just one day come along and lock it up. Hard to believe that two centers I've worked at in the past; one operantly shut down, the other got bought by Bowlero.

[@DetroitEXP]

Thanks for the comment! It is tough when I see things in the suburbs close after so many memories.

[@shakejackson7513]

This is so painfully sad. There's a lot of alleys closed in thé Detroit Metro areas waiting here in 2020 for this virus to hide its ugly head so we can get back to fun

[@deborahchesser7375]

It is sad, a few alleys closed here in Ohio too. Along with all the drive-in movies, what happened to all the cool shit ? Pinball and other games all lined up by the pool tables and lounge. There’s nothing cooler than a bowling alley bar either, dark with cushy booths and a jukebox glowing in the corner. Damn I miss the 70’s-80’s

[@paulsolfelt8452]

@@deborahchesser7375 venders usually put pinball and games in there, they probably took them out, the pool table was probably a house non coin operated one like our bowling alley, !

[@clevelandbci9562]

5:55 Used to change the signs like at movie theaters.

[@DetroitEXP]

That's awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@raeannafrasier4681]

Death , causes people to quit doing what their loved ones did. Depression & the denial of death caused this family to not want to continue....what a sad thought, but this here is the prime example of what a sudden death can do. Totally breaks my heart. ☹️😢

[@paulsolfelt8452]

thats what happens when you follow the news media and government all the way to the n.w.o slaughter house to hell, lol !

[@deveauxvikings2334]

Millions of dollars worth of stuff just left behind.... that’s crazy

[@TRX__RON]

Pampa’s closed down in 2016 or 2017 not 2012

[@DetroitEXP]

I couldn't find anything about that in the building. I only found documents dated 2012. Even some of the calendars were dated 2012.

[@paulsolfelt8452]

@@DetroitEXP13:05 I saw a 2016 date stamp on one of those beer bottles , proof is in the pudding. or beer in this case, lol ! I used to drink killians red in a 3.2 bar on tap in a bar, only us regulars new it was strong beer in that keg at the time , they have since got a license for strong liquor so they bartend everything now, lol !

[@DSBOY33]

You was right about one of those years I think it was 2016 I started bowling there before they closed

[@FredrikMin-HyeokAndreassen]

And to the last: I would demolish it 😮

[@CesarGarcia-nd5xz]

If you ever need mugs, drinking glasses, etc. Don´t buy it, just you to some of this places and take what you need. I would totally keep that mug 1:53.

[@quasimodoshunchback]

i loved this explore.

[@dasmackman]

those pins make great firewood

[@cheezybeans6692]

Bob Summers they might if I were there I would have left them being a bowler myself I would love to buy fix up and re open that alley

[@mikedendooven4490]

Surprised the alarms didn’t work.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Pretty cool explore,, likeD

[@mobnhiro4475]

6:44 is that protection

[@dannielguazon8802]

its a conoms

[@TheRealBGregz]

They’re finger condoms for when you need to hold a bandage on. Most restaurants/bars have them for employees, so they don’t accidentally drop them in the food.

[@FredrikMin-HyeokAndreassen]

Where was this bowling alley?

[@tornadoguygaming]

i believe that was the local siren test at 7:10

[@DetroitEXP]

Yes Michigan has siren tests on the first Saturday of every month at 1PM.

[@SHAFARTE.]

" WOW " what a waste, ONLY in America so much waste.

[@DetroitEXP]

It's definitely a huge waste. Thanks for watching

[@SHAFARTE.]

" But " check his out we learn to work hard and make a lot of money and buy the biggest house we can, but at the end of the game fo life, for what ??? just look ??? PEACE well done on the Abandoned bowling alley filming.

[@gonzarellious6102]

You're a special level of stupid if you honestly believe that waste on a large scale is ONLY an American thing. You sound like an arrogant European.

[@crazybenzy3426]

@@jessicajacobsen3433 the owner did not pass away his son did. Owner's name was Larry bruzzese

[@crazybenzy3426]

@@jessicajacobsen3433 the owner's son passed away not the owner. I believe the former owner Larry capital bruzzese sells real estate in Oakland County. He loved casinos do I need to say more?

[@deborahchesser7375]

Somebody needs to save the lanes and pin setters, even at that age they are worth good$, it costs $60k for one lane installed

[@dasmackman]

Bowled here on wed nites gm mens league, how sad =(

[@fadishaje1616]

Bob Summers where is it

[@letaloudone]

Im sure that was expensive to heat and cool with tall ceilings

[@sky1hawk988]

What a shame.

[@upsd70ace]

Someone needs confiscate those machines If it's still sitting like this

[@DetroitEXP]

It suffered a fire, I am not sure how much of it was damaged.

[@ninjaturtlemaster24]

Shut down in 2012?? The computers and phones look so old though, like 90s stuff. I guess they werent making enough money even to update their stuff so shutdown was inevitable. Sad to see it go though, like most places shutting down. :(

[@DetroitEXP]

Yeah it's unfortunately a common theme. Upgrades are not exactly top priority in these businesses. Thanks for watching.

[@aydengaines3924]

This made me cry😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@chriskelly509]

Crazy.....

[@MEXICANMOOSE1976]

It disgusts me that they d idnt fix the place up and continue with business..what were they thinking?? 😣😣😣

[@DetroitEXP]

I guess the money just wasn't right. It's honestly very sad. The structure is great, very surprised it's in that condition.

[@jessicajacobsen3433]

My uncle passed of cancer. He couldn’t.

[@MEXICANMOOSE1976]

@@jessicajacobsen3433 Oh I am so sorry hun.. I wish he'd of had a back up plan for that instance! The place was stunning!! My condolences to you and your family!! 😞

[@Dragonborn_1992]

At the end of business they were using generators because they were cut off from the power grid because of lack of money

[@TheJayClair]

Probably bc they didn’t have the money, dunce. That’s Detroit during the recession. That city is/was broke.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Sad to see

[@EddieAndElwood]

Scary

[@DetroitEXP]

This place was very spooky.

[@murdermittenman]

Were is this place 🤔I want to see

[@firealarmguy100]

Silent hill sirens 7:09 lol

[@Bowling16200]

Also how did you get it

[@sydviscous7006]

4:12 At least the last ball rolled was a strike!

[@DetroitEXP]

Absolutely, that's what we like to see.

[@Elena_47.]

👍👍👍👍

[@norpriest521]

At first, I had to roll my phone sideways to see what the fuck the thumbnail is. Terrible thumbnail if you ask me 😂

[@madisongreene8853]

Didn't that place burn down recently? I saw it on the news...

[@rays242]

Yes, Pampa lanes had a fire

[@crazybenzy3426]

Didn't burn down completely cause a lot of damage behind Lane 36 through 40

[@porto_bowls2807]

You would expect them to take the booze for themselves

[@DetroitEXP]

There were actually some unopened bottles left on the shelves.

[@theripoffchicago]

Which bowling Alley was this ??

[@rays242]

Pampa lanes Warren, mi

[@Lukey06]

i hear a 2001 siren

[@FredrikMin-HyeokAndreassen]

End

[@katelynnhanesack1670]

Hi 👋👋

[@southernrebel9081]

It caught fire not to long ago

[@paulsolfelt8452]

yes some idiot kids probably torched the place !

[@ladymace]

duudes where is this!!? I live in the Detroit area

[@joethompson5673]

Becky Timmins gratiot and 12 mile i think

[@joethompson5673]

Becky Timmins as you're heading north on Gratiot it'll be on your left hand side... Used to have a big sign out towards Gratiot that said Pampas

[@ladymace]

Awrsome me an my brother might go check it out \m/ thanks

[@tubiobethards1328]

I can't belive everything is mostly intact and the booze....great find great video of it.

[@aileenhnidy7337]

@@joethompson5673 On Van Dyke

[@georgemoorcroft5687]

who heard a trnado siren in the bar area

[@x9tkl803]

Am I the only one who would just go to the pro shop and take all the good balls?

[@DetroitEXP]

There were so many left in there.

[@x9tkl803]

@@DetroitEXP that’s exactly why some vintage bowling balls so for up to $500

[@kevinrussell5099]

Only a few vintage balls are worth anything, especially if they're from Storm. In the video there was a sighting of an IQ Tour Pro, with a circular crack all the way around and another half way around 90° to the full one, exactly what happened to mine, along with a couple other Storm balls I've owned. I like throwing them but not fond of their fragility.

[@jaeaventures2880]

The place just burned today

[@lisaharger3235]

I could see someone buying the place and fixing it up and make money post pandemic.

[@FredrikMin-HyeokAndreassen]

It’s replaced by one in Roblox

[@a.j.8004]

This is soooo fucked up. Wow. Just....wow. #time #machine

[@joshd.godfroy4761]

Surprised all the booze is still there. Couldn't have been abandoned long

[@DetroitEXP]

Was abandoned for roughly two years before we found it.

[@joshd.godfroy4761]

@@DetroitEXP Wow! You guys did awesome on the video

[@DetroitEXP]

@@joshd.godfroy4761 Just seeing this. Thank you so much! Always appreciate the support.

[@markbock8048]

why didnt u take the money or anything if u go into a place like this u r allowed to take stuff cause nobody cares anymore just sitting there

[@DetroitEXP]

There was only a couple cents in this place. Nothing huge.

[@paulsolfelt8452]

who the hell would want a couple rolls of Pennies ,lol

[@whatif9858]

I want that GPU so bad

[@DetroitEXP]

It's very dated!

[@whatif9858]

I'm working on a old PC build

[@whatif9858]

@@DetroitEXP but nice video though

[@boxcutterbetty-213]

Redwings state champion 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DetroitEXP]

We can only wish, right?

[@TheJayClair]

*Stanley Cup champions