Remember When? Fond du Lac Businesses We Still Miss

Growing up in Fond du Lac, there were certain places that were just part of life. Westside Lanes and Karl Ray Lanes are two that immediately come to mind. Whether you were there for a birthday party, bowling with family, or hanging out with friends, it was just something to do. You never really thought about those places someday being gone. They were just part of growing up here.

Then there was Forest Mall. Going to the mall was actually an event back then. You'd walk around for hours, check out stores like Sears, JCPenney, Younkers, Waldenbooks, KB Toys and RadioShack, grab something to eat, or just hang out with your friends. You'd almost always run into somebody you knew. There wasn't online shopping like there is today. If you wanted something, you went to the mall, and half the fun was just being there.

As we got older, the places we hung out changed too. Dillinger's is another name that probably brings back some memories for a lot of people. Maybe you spent a Friday or Saturday night there, met up with friends, or have a story that probably shouldn't be told publicly. 😂 That's what makes these old places fun to think about. Everybody remembers them a little differently.

It's crazy how places that once seemed like they'd always be around can disappear. At the time, Westside Lanes, Karl Ray Lanes, Forest Mall and Dillinger's were just normal parts of Fond du Lac. Now they're memories. What business, restaurant, bar, store, or hangout from growing up in Fond du Lac do you wish you could visit one more time?