Discover Delmarva: Southbound Alley

SALISBURY, Md. — Bowlers in Salisbury are hitting the pocket and chasing turkeys at Southbound Alley, a local center that’s holding strong while others around the country fade out. Owner Danielle Murray bought the alley ten and a half years ago. Today, her son is her business partner. “My son grew up here. He now is my partner here. We started, as we’ve expanded through the years of, you know, trying to make our game room better. Expanding our leagues, trying to make this a family fun destination,” Murray said.

Closures nearby

Bowling alleys across the country have been closing for decades, and Delmarva has followed the same path. “We’ve had a few centers that closed, unfortunately, nearby,” Murray said.

Keeping the lanes in shape

Behind the scenes, keeping the lanes in top form takes a pro. Sean Taylor has worked in the bowling business since 1986. “Bowling balls are hard on machines, so it keeps me in job security, and I keep taking care of everything,” Taylor said.

Leagues fill the lanes

Southbound Alley is picking up the spare by filling its lanes with leagues. “Leagues are the foundation of any bowling center. The stronger the leagues are, the stronger the bowling center is,” Taylor said.

Focus on youth

Murray said the alley hosts plenty of tournaments and specializes in youth events. “You know, the youth is the future of bowling. So we definitely focus on our youth.”