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Sunset Bingo closes after 33 years

Chuck Richards, founder and owner of Sunset Athletic Club, started Sunset Bingo in 1985 to raise money for Oregon Sports Academy, which supports young athletes. The first location was in the west end of the Greek Village restaurant on Murray. It moved a couple more times, and has been in the former Thriftway building in the old Milltowner Center since early 2015.

With the upcoming redevelopment of the center, he decided the time had come to wind it up. “The market for Bingo just isn’t what it used to be,” he said. He’ll keep the non-profit going for the organization and keep his eye open for other opportunities. “We have raised over $4 million over the 33 years we’ve been operating,” he says.

Kit Freeman has been the General Manager for 30 years. She’s looking forward to taking a little time off, and she’s not sure where she’s going after that. She’s handled everything including accounting, personnel, and logistics for the operation. Got a job for her?

Shellie Muller was helping organize stuff for the big liquidation sale being held June 8-9. Although she lives in Newberg, she’s been attending since she was 19, along with her husband and her mother- and father-in-law. “It’s been like a big family for me,” she said. “When my husband had cancer, people were always asking ‘How’s Rich doing.’ We’ve had a tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve for 25 years at Sunset Bingo!”

Saturday, May 28 was the last session. Freeman says, “Many people have been coming by recently because they knew it was closing, but business has been falling off for a while. Summer is always slower so this was the time to pull the plug.”

You'll be amazed at the variety of stuff for sale!

Liquidation Sale

Friday June 8, 8 am-2 pm; Saturday June 9, 10 am-2 pm

Everything is up for sale—furniture, tools, decorations, appliances, electronics, both specialized and general use items. Lots of bingo memorabilia and paraphernalia, and many other items. Proceeds will go to the non-profit.

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