With boxes of bowling pins, shoes and racks of bowling balls marked for auction, a recent sale marked the end of Sunset Bowl, which first opened in Ballard in 1957.

Members of the public were free to roam around the building, poking their heads into the back of the ball loading areas, walking on the 26 hardwood lanes and exploring back offices and storage locker areas.

Many people stopped to inspect a Sunset Bowl rug that was marked as item number 300 for the auction. It sold for $500.

Other items included: a large Santa Claus figure; framed certificates given to Sunset Bowl by various groups over the years; moose antlers; bubble gum machines; seating; beer signs; office equipment; kitchen equipment; tools; ladders; and hand trucks.

In the last year, the Ballard community lost a favorite hangout in Denny's Restaurant and now there is no longer a place to go bowling. Leilani Lanes in Greenwood has also been torn down and is an empty lot.

Sunset Bowl is part of Ballard's rich history.

"My mom bowled there in the ladies league on Wednesday afternoons," said Sue Allegra.

Before it closed, Sunset Bowl was one of four remaining bowling alleys in Seattle.

"It's one of those gathering places, like the third place in people's lives, a place where history and friendships are made. I feel like the soul of Ballard is being pushed out by what is trendy. The bowling alley is a symbol of an era gone by," said Beth Miller, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce.

Over 2,500 people have signed a petition to save Sunset Bowl.

AvalonBay Communities, which is planning to build an apartment building on the property, told the News-Tribune in March that his company is considering adding a bowling alley in the new building but did not issue a guarantee.