There was a time I was fond of soggy fries and squirt-bottle ketchup, the sort one might have scarfed at the Cameo Bowling Lanes, or perhaps it was the Cameo Bowling Alley, and washed down with fountain-dispensed Coca-Cola. Reportedly this establishment stood at the southwest corner of Continental Ave. and Austin St.
There's a second layer of signage as well (click on the close-up photo for a still larger view), offering not just "candy" and "soda" but "hot meals," too. It seems to have promoted an even older business. Can any Eating In Translation reader fill in more details?
Cameo Bowling
Seen from the Manhattan-bound LIRR platform, Forest Hills, Queens
Historic Facts:
- It was boasted in the NY Times on Dec 5, 1940 to feature a 26,000 sq. ft. plot with stores, theatre, cafe, bowling alleys, & a garage.
- NY Times, New Store Group in Forest Hills, Nov 11, 1941, Pg. 40, "Continental Building, just completed at the southwest corner of Continental Avenue and Austin Street, contains 26,000 square feet of space and will accommodate thirteen retail units and a sixteen-alley bowling center. It was erected by Clement S. Crystal, Inc., for Forest Hills Realty Corporation, B.S. Moss, president, from plans by Jardine, Murdock & Wright, architects, William H. Wright, successor."
Businesses:
- Formerly home to Cameo Bowling Lanes
- John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co.
- A & P Supermarket
- Now home to Queens County Savings Bank
more info here, from the Rego-Forest Preservation Council website:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157617764449252/
Posted by: jeff | April 01, 2012 at 09:58 PM