Bowling Alleys and Self-Storage Fight for Space in Deer Park Real Estate Market
The disappearing bowling alleys and booming self-storage industry in Deer Park reflect consumer demand, not industry influence.
The real estate industry is often accused of driving up prices and shaping communities to fit their own interests. However, in the case of Deer Park, Long Island, it seems that consumer demand is the true driving force behind changes in the local real estate market.
Bowling alleys have been disappearing across the country, while self-storage businesses have been popping up left and right. This is not due to the real estate industry's influence, but rather because Americans are increasingly seeking space to store their belongings. In fact, self-storage units have an occupancy rate of nearly 94% nationwide, including in the New York metro area.
Meanwhile, the popularity of bowling has declined, with only about one in 30 Americans bowling 12 or more times a year. This is in contrast to the one in nine households that use self-storage units.
However, this trend has not gone unnoticed by developers and investors, who are now battling for space in the Deer Park real estate market. Newsday reports that a developer is proposing to replace a bowling alley with a self-storage facility, sparking controversy among community members.
"It's sad to see the bowling alley go, but it's just not popular anymore," said a local resident. "But we definitely don't need another self-storage facility. There are already enough of those around."
The developer, on the other hand, argues that the demand for self-storage units in the area is high and there is a lack of available land for development. The local zoning board is currently reviewing the proposal, with a decision expected to be made in the coming weeks.
This situation in Deer Park serves as a microcosm of the larger