Spare Time in Lansing Will Not Reopen After Fire

It's official: Lansing's Spare Time Entertainment Center will not be reopening.

Spare Time Entertainment Center is a bowling alley and entertainment center located at 3101 E. Grand River Avenue, near the US-127 interchange. Unfortunately, in May 2025, a trailer parked next to Spare Time caught fire and severely damaged the building.

What Happened to Spare Time Entertainment Center?

Since then, the building has sat empty. For-sale signs went up outside the building in May 2026. Even then, there was plenty of hope and speculation that Spare Time would reopen. Unfortunately, that won't be happening.

Spare Time Entertainment Center in Lansing is for sale just over one year after an explosion and subsequent fire damaged the building — Courtesy of Kristen Matthews TSM Lansing

In a statement shared online, ownership said the fire, combined with other significant challenges, led to the difficult decision not to rebuild.

The statement continued:

We are deeply grateful for every birthday party, league night, family outing, and celebration shared under our roof. Your laughter, friendships, and support turned this space into so much more than a bowling center—it became a true community landmark. While this chapter has closed, the memories we made together will always remain.

I made many of those memories myself. I remember plenty of nights spent playing trivia there, along with quite a few Christmases! They'll all remain fond memories.

Spare Time in Lansing Is Now for Sale

The property is listed for $4.95 million and includes the 42,000-plus-square-foot entertainment center and more than three acres of land. And when it's sold, it may not remain a bowling alley or entertainment center.

Spare Time is zoned for commercial use, specifically within an "urban mixed-use district." That means the property could be used for a number of purposes, including retail, drive-thru dining, service-oriented businesses, and more.

Only time will tell what becomes of the property that was once home to Spare Time Entertainment Center.

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Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews