Chelsea Lanes | 

Chelsea Lanes is celebrating their 60th anniversary in 2022.  

Bill Freeman, Red Slocum, and Olie Johnson were the original partners who built the earliest section of the building. It was completed with 12 lanes and a small snack bar. In 1962, Ed GreenLeaf, Jr. was brought in to manage the new business during the high point of the bowling industry. Ed and Kathy GreenLeaf eventually bought out Slocum and Johnson, and then Freeman in 1973. 

In that first year of full ownership, Greenleaf completed a major addition. He added six more lanes and the Mark IV Lounge (named after the 1973 Lincoln Mark IV). He also constructed a substantial addition to the west end for rental space or preparation for further lane expansion or entertainment. 

Chelsea Lanes saw steady growth throughout the 70's as bowling continued to see a large following and 

a commitment to leagues. Since then, there has been a transition to shorter league seasons, more open bowling and more entertainment. Greenleaf has kept up with changes in the demands of the sport and the public at large. 

In 1975-76, Chelsea Lanes was the first bowling facility in Jackson and Washtenaw counties, and one of the first in Michigan, to begin to use automatic scoring. 

It was also the first in the area to go smoke-free in 2002. They even turned the demise of the old cigarette machine from the lounge into a local fundraiser. Through the Staffan-Mitchell funeral home they arranged an open-casket burial service behind the building and buried the machine, cigarettes and all. Money earned from bowling that day was donated to area charities. 

Ed and Kathy GreenLeaf raised their family of five children with in Chelsea Lanes. Their children, Tammy, Pam, Greg, Eddie, and Heather, have all worked at the bowling alley at one time. Their youngest son, Eddie and April GreenLeaf  III are second-generation owners of Chelsea Lanes. He began to bowl at age 2,and was helping out there by the age of 8.

We truly hope that you enjoy your experience at Chelsea Lanes. Have fun and we will see you on the lanes.