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BOWLING ALLEY
Raymus sells Manteca Strike Zone
BOWLING-five-outside-LT
The late Antone Raymus, center, is flanked in this 2003 photo by bowlers who were on the first Manteca Bowl teams when it opened in 1959. - photo by Bulletin file photo

For the first time ever, Manteca’s bowling alley will not be owned by the Raymus family.

Escrow closed this past week on the 63,000-square-foot Manteca Strike Zone & Family Fun Center at Yosemite Avenue and Cottage Avenue. The bowling alley is now closed while the new owners prepare it for a reopening. Details on the buyers were not available.

The late Antone Raymus opened the first bowling alley in Manteca 56 years ago. The Manteca Bowl opened in 1959 and stood on part of the parcel where Panera Bread is gearing up for an opening later this month. The current bowling alley complete with 48 lanes, 9 batting cages, a 340-seat restaurant, two conference rooms, and a 1,000-square-foot dance floor opened in 2003. After Raymus’ passing in 2004, his wife Marie continued operating the bowling alley.

Raymus in an interview in 2003 said his decision to open the original bowling alley in 1959 was driven by a desire to have a wholesome activity for the youth of Manteca.