People have been talking about the Ballard End Times for a while now, but I didn't believe it. They read the signs. First rising real estate priced neighbors out.  Then came the inevitable lot-splitting and condo building.  Some said the end was near, but I held out faith.  Why not welcome these sharp, urban condos over the parking lots they were replacing?  Urban density might spare the woods and farms ringing the city from more development.  More units of housing could bring down prices, and keep Ballard affordable.  I was willing to see the glass half full. But now the developers are coming for Sunset Bowl.  It's the end of Ballard.

Last night the Sunset Bowl was fizzing, hedonistic delight. Bowlers, drinkers, Karaoke singers, we all danced on the deck of the sinking ship. My friend, and Ballard resident, Steph belted out her old Pat Benetar standby, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," while I tried to follow her with another crowd pleaser: "Oh What a Night."  What a night indeed! Hipster sidled up along gothster next to staggering old drunk guy (not me, the other guy).  Sunset Bowl is the kind of place where a whole community can come for a good time.  We need more places like this - places where you can buy a bowling pin shaped bottle of beer for less than two dollars, a place where a teenage kid isn't embarrassed to go with his parents. 

The Sunset Bowl lot sold for 13 million dollars.  This is a staggering amount of money and you can guess that whatever replaces the bowling alley will need more of a profit margin than two dollar bottles of beer can generate.  

Is Seattle becoming San Francisco or New York?  Those places are great... to visit.  I don't relish the idea of paying 12 dollars for a beer or 20 dollars for a cocktail - the going rate in NYC.  Are we becoming so economically stratified in Seattle that young, creative, poor types won't rub elbows with older, richer (less creative) types?  Are we becoming one of those cities that 15 years ago, fresh out of school, I couldn't move to because it was too expensive. The me of 15 years ago, could never afford the Seattle of today. Where will that young, creative energy go?

Back to the deck of the sinking ship for one more song.  Steph's sister Jen takes the microphone at the Sunset Bowl karaoke stage. She's Kiki to her coworker's Elton John. The pair delivers a flawless "Don't go breakin my heart." The room explodes with drunk well wishing.  This is the Ballard I fell in love with when I moved here: a Ballad that is goofy, cheap and creative, a Ballard that's a little bit dirty, but smells like community.  This is the bowling alley where Steph and Jen passed their time in the daycare while their parents bowled with their friends. This is the end of Sunset Bowl.  Ballard, Don't go breakin my heart.