There is a powerful support group that is desperately trying to save our 50-year-old community bowling alley, Robin Hood Lanes, in Edmonds.

Robin Hood Lanes is one of the last local Edmonds businesses that is focused on fun for the entire community and continues to do so well even during our tough economy times. 

There are so many people that rely on and use this location for fun and entertainment as well as education and an indoor safe gathering place. 

Included in this list of people are over a thousand league bowlers that fill the bowling alley almost every night of the week. 

These people are not just local to Edmonds; they travel from as far away as Federal Way, Marysville and Kingston. 

There are senior citizens, as old as 90 and kids as young as five. 

There are local high school teams that practice and have tournaments; as well as those students there on evenings and weekends who rely upon an indoor structured activity, away from drugs and trouble so present in their lives at this age. 

Robin Hood Lanes houses tournaments frequently, bringing bowlers here from all over who stay in Edmonds for the weekend to bowl. 

It is one of the last surviving bowling alleys in the area that does this, as several  alleys have closed nearby. 

This location is owned by three different parties; the business owners, the building owners and the land owners.

The building owners are looking to retire from this obligation and have released their interest in the lease. 

The business owners wish to continue running Robin Hood Lanes and had the property appraised and offered to buy the building and the land for the appraised value. 

They were told that the land was not for sale. 

 They requested a new lease where they would buy the building and continue to lease the land at the current value which would be similar to what the PCC next door pays to lease their land, but were refused.  

Apparently Walgreens offered enough money to buy the land as permits have recently been submitted to the city of Edmonds.  

The business owners were not notified or given an option to match or counter any offers made by Walgreens. 

It is so hard for many to understand how a successful bowling alley could be replaced by a large pharmacy chain that many feel will not survive here and are perfectly happy with Bartell Drugs and QFC pharmacy which are located across the street. 

Other lots are vacant and available in the Westgate area; why must Walgreens choose this location that is such an integral part of our community? 

I have met with Dave Earling, the Mayor of Edmonds and Stephen Clifton, the Edmonds Economical Development Director who agree that Robin Hood Lanes is beneficial to our community, however, laws and regulations tie their hands to the permit process. 

The permit is currently being reviewed and questions have already been raised whether Walgreens taking over a recreational area will be allowed. 

Over 1,500 people have signed a poll opposing Walgreens taking over our community bowling alley and we have just started!

Please sign our new petition online at  www.ipetitions.com under robin hood lanes, Edmonds, WA, if you would like to show your support to save Robin Hood Lanes. 

You can send a friend request on Facebook to “Robinhood Lanes against Walgreens” to help with our efforts and see our progress.

 We will be rallying at Robin Hood Lanes on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 11 am. 

Please come by and show your support! Information will be available on what you can do to help.