Highland Lanes

Just yesterday 12÷19÷12 a friend I went to college with, who happens to work in one of our Heights neighborhood businesses was in a bind. His car was towed and he didn’t have a coat and needed to get out of the rain/​snow while waiting for his ride. He walked into Highland Lanes on Vliet and was immediately followed and asked what he was doing there. He kindly explained that he was just trying to stay warm and that he would be picked up in a few minutes. He asked if that was ok and was told no it wasn’t ok. The employee told he that he doesn’t bowl here and so it had to leave. He was immediately put out. I have owned my home here in Washington Heights for 7yrs. I have been known to RAVE about my little gem of a neighborhood in the heart of the city that I grew up in. I am proud of our walkable neighborhood and have been a staunch supporter of our neighborhood and family owned businesses. I celebrate the diversity that surrounds us in the community that my husband and I chose to raise our daughter in, a Puerto Rican girl who has friends from many walks of life and from many different ethnicities. I feel violated. My friend, an educated, kind, god fearing, Black Man can’t walk into one of my neighborhood businesses without being «put out» because of what he looks like. The ugliness of one person’s actions does not define out community. I am asking for others to stand with my friend and let Highland Bowl know that what happened last night was not ok, by calling, emailing and writing to them. That’s not how we treat our own in this community.
Mimi Perez