The Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck, the loud, league-heavy hangout where teams hurl footballs at bowling pins, is shutting down at the end of the month. Founder Chris Hutt announced on social media that the Hamtramck location's final day of business will be next Saturday, closing the doors on a spot that helped turn a backyard tailgate experiment into a Detroit-area pastime.
In his social post, Hutt cited "pre-pandemic expansion, the economy and changes in social behavior" as reasons for the decision and signed off with "we will be seeing you soon," hinting that the pause might not be permanent, according to ClickOnDetroit. The outlet reported the announcement today and shared Hutt's original statement in full.
From tailgates to a Hamtramck staple
Fowling started as a tailgate mashup, then outgrew the parking lot. The first full-fledged Fowling Warehouse opened in Hamtramck in December 2014, after Hutt and friends created the hybrid game while tailgating at the Indianapolis 500. A 2015 Associated Press feature carried by CBS News documented that early leap from DIY setup to industrial-scale venue and noted how quickly the concept caught on with local players.
Branches opened, and some have closed
The Hamtramck warehouse eventually turned into the flagship for a small national brand, with additional locations opening in cities such as Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Dallas as the company grew, per ClickOnDetroit. Growth has not been in a straight line, though. The Grand Rapids Fowling Warehouse announced its own shutdown earlier this year, with a last day of March 28, according to local reporting from WGRD.
Where leagues and fundraisers go from here
The Hamtramck site has long served as home turf for weekly leagues, private parties, and charity fundraisers. The company website highlights lane reservations, corporate outings, and a "Fowlanthropy" program that benefits local causes, and its reservation pages spell out how lane and private-event bookings work. Customers holding gift cards or existing reservations are being directed to the official brand channels for updates, according to Fowling Warehouse.
Hutt's sign-off that "we will be seeing you soon" leaves the door cracked for a return or relocation, although the company has not released any further details. For now, Hamtramck regulars and event organizers have until next Saturday to use their lanes, and anyone looking for what happens next will have to keep an eye on the brand's social feeds.
