CONTENTS
VOL 26.3
6 ISSUE AT HAND
26 COVER STORY
Shoebox No More!
Market Your Business Like A #BowlingBoss
By Scott Frager
The cheat-sheet for marketing in 2018
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER David Garber garber@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
By Sean Krainert CONTRIBUTORS
8 SHORTS • Lou Holtz will be keynote speaker at Bowl Expo. • Betson Enterprises has new digs. • BPAA’s Victor Lerner Memorial Medal goes to Tom Martino.
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38 CELEBRATIONS A Charming Dinosaur Chicago’s iconic Southport Lanes celebrates its 95th anniversary. By Mark Miller
By Patty Heath
44 PROFILE
18 CONSIDER THIS Smile, and the World Smiles with You Smiles are contagious, so pass them on.
Paradise Found and Lost 26
By Ben Jones
Former BPAA executive director John Berglund found Paradise but Hurricane Irma had a different plan. By Joan Taylor
20 FEATURE
48 Datebook
20th Century Lanes’ Legacy: Love, Family, Friends
49 Showcase 50 Classifieds
The matchmaker of Boise is closing its doors, but the memories linger. By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson 38
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Patty Heath Ben Jones Pamela Kleibrink Thompson Sean Krainert Mark Miller Joan Taylor
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424
FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
12655 Ventura Boulevard Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 789-2695(BOWL) Fax (818) 789-2812 info@bowlingindustry.com
www.BowlingIndustry.com
HOTLINE: 818-789-2695 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy of International Bowling Industry is sent free to every bowling center, independently owned pro shop and collegiate bowling center in the U.S., and every military bowling center and pro shop worldwide. Publisher reserves the right to provide free subscriptions to those individuals who meet publication qualifications. Additional subscriptions may be purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50 per year. Subscriptions for Canada and Mexico are $65 per year, all other foreign subscriptions are $80 per year. All foreign subscriptions should be paid in U.S. funds using International Money Orders. POSTMASTER: Please send new as well as old address to International Bowling Industry, 12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2017, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
ISSUE AT HAND
Shoebox No More! I’m going to ask that you put down this magazine, run to your front desk, grab that shoebox in which customers are asked to drop their business card in for a free party, and bring it back to your office. Maybe your shoebox is a fishbowl? Doesn’t matter, go ahead and grab that too. Today we have to promise will be the beginning of the end for all such “data collection devices.” By nature, even having such a proverbial shoebox at our centers shows our innate knowledge of the importance of collecting customer information, yet all too often, even the most sophisticated of operators neglects to do much with that data. Let’s face it, data doesn’t have the same pizazz or sizzle as working on new creative ideas for the next promotion. However, if we treated data collection and management like the true gold that it is, I can promise Fort Knox-like results with all the glitter and shine to your top-line revenue. The great news is that we have a universe of easyto-use, easy-to-understand options at our fingertips.
Your scoring system probably has excellent built-in features, the BPAA has some proven options to consider, Kids Bowl Free, along with many other third party apps, are at our disposal. As you read this month’s issue and cover story, a continuation of part of our modern marketing articles, you’ll read about some dynamic opportunities to help grow you business. Above and beyond the obvious benefits to our individual businesses, it doesn’t take too much imagination to see the benefits to the entire industry by combining our efforts. Knowing exactly who our 70+ million customers are, what they purchase, when they purchase and why they purchase, will have the potential to exponentially grow our industry. We can’t do that with a shoebox.
WANT TO TURN YOUR
CUSTOMER DATA
INTO GOLD? www.BowlingIndustry.com
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
4THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com Brainstorming is a great way to come up with new ideas for your center. Marketing companies do it on a high level. However, you have a vast array of possibilities when you just throw out a question on IBI Online. Ronald Nichols asked his fellow proprietors for program ideas and examples of successful flyers. Someone else wanted input on installation of scoring, and another had ideas on increasing league bowlers. We’re all in this together. Why not pass the wealth along? Whatever your question, there’s an answer out there waiting for you from fellow proprietors—over 2,800 to be exact—at your fingertips. If not a member, sign on today. It’s free! www.bowlingindustry.com.
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SHORTS
A NEW RECREATION CENTER FOR EVERYBODY
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS
West Midland Family Center (WMFC) serves some of the poorest families in Midland County, Michigan. Hoping to expand its services to the 7,000 individuals that use the facility on a yearly basis, renovation has been completed with a 12,000-square-foot addition, which includes two bowling lanes. They also added classrooms for preschoolers, offices, a conference room and an expansion of the emergency food pantry. For people and children who don’t have access to a lot of entertainment, those bowling lanes are HUGE.
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DUST BOWL LANES MEETS LITTLE ROCK There is a new entertainment spot in Little Rock, AR. Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge, a retro-themed bowling center with a bar is now open for business. It has eight lanes with a karaoke room, private lounge, and a full bar and food menu. The food mainly consists of old time favorites such as milkshakes, onion rings and burgers. Next door will be a German beer garden, Fassler Hall, with steins and sausages.
WASHINGTON STATE OFFERINGS Two new venues for bowling aficionados in Washington are Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington and Arena Sports in Mill Creek. The Stillaguamish tribe, owners of the casino, have Breaking ground for major expansion at Angel of the broken ground on a 300,000Winds Casino. square-foot expansion which will add a concert venue, a 12-lane bowling center, an upscale restaurant, plus a dedicated buffet. There will also be additional slot machines and table games. This all means an addition of approximately 200 jobs, bringing the casino employment total to around 750. Arena sports, the leading indoor sports company in Washington state, opened its largest venture to date, a 98,500-square-foot sports fun at the newly opened and entertainment facility in Having Arena Sports in Mill Creek. Mill Creek. In addition to three indoor soccer fields, the Mill Creek location features a large FEC, including eight lanes of bowling, a two-story laser tag arena, video arcade and redemption games, and an on-site restaurant.
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CLEVELAND JUST GOT MORE HIP Once upon a time, in Cleveland, OH, there was a nice neighborhood bowling alley with 48 lanes known as Cloverleaf Lanes. In Parma, OH, there was longpopular Verso Craft Kitchen and Bar. Each needed a re-do. Center owners began with a name change to Spin Bowl Independence. Then they reduced the lanes from 48 to 36. This allowed space for a laser tag court, in the works, and a pair of escape rooms, plus a total recreation of the interior of the 60-year-old building. Next, Verso moved in to fill out the entertainment with food. While originally specializing in Italian fare, the new menu caters more to casual items to accommodate patrons of the center. Verso’s chef-owner Ed Ripepi shared with Crain’s Cleveland Business, “If you walked in here right now, you’d go, ‘Whoa! This sure isn’t my grandfather’s bowling alley!’”
ALSO HAPPENING Disneyland’s Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA, has a new offering. Splitsville is now open for entertainment. The new venue combines 40,000 square feet, with two stories, 20 lanes of bowling, four dining areas, indoors and out, 25 flat screen TVs, and an on-site brewery. AMF Timonium Lanes, in Timonium, MD, is now under the umbrella of Bowlero, part of the Bowlmor AMF side of AMF. The center has been upgraded in retro-modern décor and includes a neon-lit arcade and orange mood lights throughout. There are video screens at the end of each lane. Margaretville Bowl in Catskills, NY, which 60 years ago was opened as Evergreen Lanes, is now The Ark Bowl. The new owner, Paul Collyer, plans on a steady transformation which will include a restaurant and bar, live music, movies and bowling. A grocery store in Kennebunk, ME, is now the Garden Street Bowl. It has 10 lanes of bowling and a game room, as well as a 45-seat tavern and a 22seat tap house. A bowling center that has been in Noblesville for more than 30 years has undergone major renovation. Once known as Bowl 32 and Stardust Lanes, it is now Three-two-FUN!! Bowl 32. The updates include the addition of a new 7,800-squarefoot building that houses 4-D laser tag, an arcade, redemption store and a laser maze. The FEC also has bowling, mini bowling, mini golf, and a full restaurant and bar.
SHORTS
Media
WATCH C.J. ANDERSON, RUNNING BACK AND BOWLER We have seen pros in all the major league sports embrace bowling. Baseball has its Mookie Betts, basketball has Chris Paul, and now football introduces C.J. Anderson, a Denver Bronco running back. It’s not just for fun. Anderson made his PBA debut in Oklahoma City and is signed up for another pro event in Arkansas in June before returning to the gridiron. Two of his tutors are Brett Cooper and USBC Gold Level Coach Hank Boomershine who are working to help him maximize his style. He is a righthanded bowler who finishes sliding on his right foot. Storm Products’ YouTube, Warehouse Sessions, Ep. 1, highlights this ‘new’ bowler.
A fan or not a fan of ABC’s The Bachelor… Krystal’s search for the perfect guy ran into a video that went viral. A segment group-date took place at a bowling center. It is true that we all have our quirks, but bachelor Arie tops just about all of us. Dressed in a leather jacket, looking like he was getting ready to rumble, he licked his bowling ball before sending it down the lane. A picture is worth a bizillian words, starting with GROSS.
sorship of n-qualifying extended its spon Bowling.com has r the next two years. This is a notitors bowl fo Championships en to any USBC member. Compe ubles, and op t en m na of singles, do tour three games eachhas scratch and handicap l: ta to es m ga ne t ni roximately s. The tournamen four-player team , U12, U15 and U20 bowlers. App divisions for U10 50 bowlers took part in 2017. 1,1 Lanes Where: Cityview 20-22; 28-29 When: July 12-13; Fort Worth, TX outhOpen o to Bowl.com/Y G . en op w no is ss Registration ion section to acce at rm fo in e th k ic and cl istration. USBC Event Reg
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State Farm Insurance and Chris Paul are working together in an episodic commercial building to… something. Chris is moving into a new house. Actor Oscar Nunez (The Office) drives by; they decide to go bowling; they run into basketball player James Harden. The plots are too complicated to go into. The second commercial has Oscar and Chris finally bowling. The insurance angle? I guess we’ll have to wait for the next episode.
A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE
BOWLING ALLEY BLUES
ships n io p m a h C n e p Youth O the Youth Open
CHRIS PAUL IS THERE
Repatha is a statin medication for high cholesterol. The idea is that when your current statin is just not ‘rolling smoothly,’ Repatha might help. The idea of square tires and triangular wheels work, but the octagonal bowling ball was priceless.
IAAPA FEC Summit IAAPA recently concluded its sixth annual FEC Summit, held in Laguna Beach, CA, at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Jan. 28-30. More than 160 FEC industry professionals from 32 states and eight countries gathered for the two day event. Bruce Cameron, owner of Front Line Marketing, was one of the keynote speakers. Cameron guided participants through his company’s employee engagement process, helping attendees visualize an action plan for their facilities, increasing productivity without a negative impact on expenses. Annika Chase, vice president of marketing strategy for Disneyland Resort, shared Disneyland’s approach to attracting consumers through strategic storytelling that engages consumers before, during, and after their visit. Plans are already underway for IAAPA FEC Summit 2019, taking place in Austin, TX, Jan. 27-29.
SHORTS
PEOPLEWATCHING Gary Smith, vice president of international sales, is retiring from Brunswick Bowling Products. Smith has worked for Brunswick for over 27 years and has been an integral part of the company’s growth in international markets, especially China. He will remain on hand to ensure a smooth Gary Smith transition. Continuing the global initiatives pioneered by Smith will be Dave Sella, vice president of capital equipment; John Prokopec, director of EMA sales; Tino Cortes, sales and service manager for Latin America; Jerry Wu, sales and service for Asia, and a new addition, David Chang, the new director of new business development for China. IBPSIA has elected Tom Zernia as president during its annual board meeting held during the BPAA Summit in Tempe, AZ. Jordan Vanover was elected as vice president and Steve Barinque as secretary. Each will serve a two-year term beginning immediately. Tom Zernia Zernia runs a pro shop located inside Kingpin Bowl in West Ben, WI. He has been on the IBPSIA board for six years and served as vice president for the past two years. Vanover is a product specialist for Brunswick Bowling Products and an IBPSIA master instructor. Barinque, also a master instructor, was in the Air Jordan Vanover Force for 26 years and is the general manager for Joint Base San Antonio Bowling.
Tom Martino, proprietor of Majestic Lanes, Hopelawn, NJ, was selected as the 2018 BPAA Hall of Fame Inductee and recipient of the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal. The Lerner Medal is the highest honor awarded by the BPAA and recognizes an individual for a lifetime of service to the bowling industry and Tom Martino represents the recipient’s induction into BPAA’s Hall of Fame. Martino has been in the industry for 40 years. He served as BPAA treasurer for six years and as president from 2014-2016. He is currently chairman of Strike Ten Entertainment.
Glenn Quaiver
H. Betti Industries, Inc. (Betson Industries) announced its recent hire of Glenn Quaiver as senior vice president of operations. Quaiver has more than 20 years experience in large-asset operations management. He will be responsible for all aspects of inventory management, purchasing, warehousing, and other related operations.
Embed has appointed Mark Rossow as senior vice president, Americas. He will oversee the U.S. headquarters in Dallas, TX. Rossow is new to the out-of-home entertainment industry but has over 20 years of experience in C-Level (Fortune 500 and Small Cap) sales, marketing, and operational strategy. Two of the companies in which he was involved were Mark Rossow ReferenceCheck.com, one of the first on-line reference checking companies, and Safe-for-Kids, an on-line ecommerce site for child-proofing products.
BOWL EXPO TAPS LOU HOLTZ FOR KEYNOTE SPEAKER Lou Holtz, one of the most successful college football coaches, will be the keynote speaker at the 2018 International Bowl Expo, June 17-21, held at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. One of the most sought-after speakers in America, Holtz will discuss overcoming impossible challenges by setting goals and working to achieve them. Holtz led the Notre Dame football team for 11 seasons, posting a 23-game winning streak that ranks as the longest in Notre Dame history. He was head coach at the University 12
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of South Carolina for six seasons. He also joined CBS Sports’ College Football Today as an analyst in between the two coaching assignments. In 2014, Holtz was a college football studio analyst on ESPN. He is currently in his second year with Sirius XM Radio as a co-host for two sports programs: a golf show, “Holtz In One,” which is broadcast throughout the year, and two weekly college football programs. Holtz has authored three New York Times best-selling books: The Fighting Spirit, chronicling Notre Dame’s 1988 championship season; Winning Everyday: A Game Plan for Success; and his latest book, Wins, Losses and Lessons, an autobiography of his life lessons. Also in his quiver of accomplishments are four motivational videos.
SHORTS
ß BITS & PIECES ß ß ß
Bowling centers are friends to their communities. Here’s what’s happening across the country and Canada.
Starting off the new year, BVL’s touring entertainment troupe, Re-Creation, has a new variety show, “Happy,” which has been inspiring and brightening the lives of vets at 14 facilities from Florida’s Panama City to Miami. This spirit-filled program will continue through the Southeast and into the Midwest over the next several months. These programs are funded by donations from centers and organizations supporting the good work of BVL, a good place to put your dollars to help our veterans. ----------------------------------------------------------------
GoBowling, NASCAR & PWBA Tour Championship Richmond Raceway has signed GoBowling as the title sponsor for the track’s fall NASCAR Xfinity Series race, deepening the ties between the track and the bowling industry. It will also be the site of the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship. The tour will take place September 16-19 and the top players will battle for the final major title on special-built lanes in the Old Dominion Building at the raceway complex. ----------------------------------------------------------------
USBC creates new league category After a 2016-17 season study and in an effort to align averages more closely to lane conditions league bowlers face, the USBC has established a new classification for the upcoming season. Some leagues with lane conditions more difficult than the Standard leagues will be reclassified as Challenge leagues. Other leagues have been reclassified as Sport leagues.
BETSON EXPANDS IN FLORIDA AND GEORGIA Due to the company’s continued growth, Betson Enterprises has opened a new, larger Florida facility in Orlando. This new location offers an enhanced customer environment, including a spacious showroom and a dedicated equipment staging area to accommodate both large and small game room installations. There is also an expanded warehouse, increased office space and an employee lounge, plus service and parts departments. Betson has added additional, experienced personnel. Josh Renfroe has been promoted to Florida operations manager. Service technician Scott Gilman has been joined by Obe Rosario, with Sammy William and 16
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GOODWILL CENTRAL
Re-Creation’s “Happy” on Tour
Meadowood Lanes, Rapid City, SD: Bowling for Coats, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Saint Theresa Council 8025. Park Lanes Family Fun Center, Shawnee, KS: Bowling Bash to benefit the Kansas City Police Officer’s Memorial Foundation. Classic Lanes, Rochester Hills, MI: Bowl for FIMRC, Foudation for International Medical Relief of Children. Discovery Ventura, Ventura, CA: fundraiser sponsored by the Ventura County Community Foundation and Sunrun Inc. to raise money for victims of the Thomas Fire, which razed more than 281,000 acres in December and January. Campbell River Bowling Centre, Campbell River, BC, Canada: Bowl for Breath supporting cystic fibrosis research for 30 years. Caveman Bowl, Grants Pass, OR: Bowling Bowzer sponsored by Team Rogue Valley Humane Society. Catskill Hoe Bowl, Catskill, NY: The Autism Connection of Greene County held its annual Bowling for Autism. Big Apple Fun Center, Nebraska City, NE: Junior Achievement raised funds at its third-annual BowlA-Thon, providing programs for young people and fostering work-readiness and financial literacy skills. Eagle Rock Lanes, West Orange, NJ: Bowling for Scholarship Dollars, providing scholarships for graduating West Orange High School seniors. What is your center doing? Email Patty Heath at heath@bowlingindustry.com.
Zeke Moralez in warehouse and delivery roles. In sales and business development, Betson’s team is Joe Herbert and Jeff Lane. “This warehouse expansion, with key employee additions, cements our commitment to providing best-in-class service and support to our valued Florida customers,” notes David Capilouto, Betson regional vice president. This goes hand-in-hand with the move to a larger location for its Georgia offices. The new 10,800-square-foot facility in Marietta has four loading docks, service department and larger office space. Betson operates from a nationwide network of 16 offices and delivers client specific solutions for the design, installation, service, and exporting of amusement equipment.
CONSIDER THIS
S
E L I M THE
S E MIL
STH YOU
WI
n. o m the s D s a N A RLD so p , s u gio a t WO n re co a s e Smil
By Ben Jones
C
reate smiles every day. Smiles are simply, at their core, an expression of positive feeling and positive attitude. We can all create and deliver smiles every day by deciding to be nice and projecting certain thoughts outward. It’s simple: wake up, look at yourself in the mirror with a positive mindset of being happy…then SMILE. Done. Easy. But what about sharing your smile with your company and in life? Each action has an equal reaction, and the smile we share will be returned as a reward for our gift of giving. This means that the smiles we create every day, when given to others, are communicable. Therefore, if someone can receive it, it’s catchable, and if it’s catchable, it’s teachable. Here are a few teaching steps toward sharing smiles every day: 1. People have voices so listen to them. Listen, give credit and implement the ideas and suggested changes from your team. Even if your style is enlightened dictatorship, finding collaborative opportunities is morale building. This is the Encouraging Smile. 2. Create paths. People value the feeling of progress. Creating paths that allow your people to grow in multiple directions brings a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and belonging. This is the Me Too Smile. 3. Titles and structure can be fun. For example, who wouldn’t want to be the Director of Enthusiasm and Opportunity? A former partner of mine was Queen of Fun and Laughter. It’s hard not to smile at either of these titles. This is the Fun Smile. 4. Walk the talk. As a leader you must play by the same rules; simultaneously, you must maintain your leadership role which places you at multiple levels within your organization This is the Smile of Respect. 5. Recognize and reward. This is simply part of the value equation for all people. Celebrate your employees, your teams, and their respective successes. Personal praise via company-wide email or social media is great; and old fashioned handwritten notes create that unexpected smile! This is the Smile of Praise. 6. Create traditions. Outings, breaks, and shared experiences that become traditions form corner stones in a company’s foundation; and
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those shared experiences become anticipated events. This is the I Can’t Wait Smile. 7. Manage to have fun. The pun here is intended - manage for fun and then manage to have fun. You can do this with family, friends, and certainly with your staff and team. Whimsy and spontaneity are key ingredients to getting the Unexpected Smile. Ultimately, smiling and attitude are choices we make every day. Each of us can choose to smile. We can share that smile many ways: big and loud; through written words; gifts; or in pictures. Remember that a smile is an expression of who we are each day. We make the choice to smile every, single day. The reflection of that choice will be the smile on your face. Try choosing happy. Smile. ❖
Ben Jones is an industry enthusiast. He shares his perspectives each month through Boomer Blog and invites your feedback. He may be reached at boomerblog2@gmail.com.
FEATURE
20TH CENTURY LANES’ LEGACY:
, e Lov
, y l i am
F ds
n e i Fr
Photos courtesy of Lance Thompson
The matchmaker of Boise is closing its doors, but the memories linger. By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson
W
hen 20th Century Lanes closed, it left a hole in the Boise community as big as a 7-10 split. 20th Century Lanes was a community center that had a major impact on the lives of those who worked there as well as those who bowled there. “This is what employees and family have always called Love Lanes,” commented JoLyn Holladay, 60, who worked at the bowling center for 17 years. “I met my husband here. Lots of employees and family met their spouses here.” Owner Mona Lindeen noted that half a dozen weddings and receptions for special customers were held at the center. The center had signed a long-term lease, but when the agreement expired the landlord was approached by a new tenant—Treasure Valley Skate—and made an offer 20th Century Lanes couldn’t match. Lindeen decided that 20th Century Lanes could not afford to continue. The original 20th Century Bowling Parlor opened on October 2, 1937, on the second floor of 712 Idaho Street. The name was chosen because the Brunswick equipment that was installed displayed a
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Mary Harvey (L) with Jessica Deem.
20th Century logo. The center was relocated on August 8, 1940 to 606 Idaho Street. Lindeen explains how the family got into the bowling business. “Dad had been a carpenter and refinished floors. He traveled the western states sanding and refinishing bowling lanes.” Lindeen’s dad, Emerson Maxson, Jr., aka Max, grew tired of all the travel and thought a local business would be more beneficial to his family. As bowling grew in popularity, Maxson bought two centers in Boise, 20th Century Lanes and Boise Bowling Center at 1212 Idaho Street. Lindeen notes that 20th Century Lanes was Maxson’s legacy. “He started it and got all of his little family working in it–my mother Marge, my brothers Emerson and Steve, and me,” Lindeen said. “It’s truly been a family operation.” Lindeen
FEATURE relates how she got into the bowling business after graduating from college with a degree in social work. “Dad said, ‘Are you going into social work or are you going to stay with me?’ There was plenty of social work with employees. I like people so it was a great job for me.” Lindeen remembers the first person she hired, Gene Lowber, had just gotten out of the Navy. “His brother Bob Lowber was a bowler at 20th Century Lanes and recommended Gene who worked for me for 27 years.” After Maxson Sr. passed away, Lindeen and her brothers pooled their money with three other Collister merchants to buy the shopping center that was home to 20th Century Lanes. Five years later, a California company purchased the Collister Shopping Center. Lindeen went back to leasing, which became an issue in 2017 when the lease came up for renewal and Lindeen could not outbid the new tenant. The center changed the destinies of many who bowled there. Janet and Joe Moore met at 20th Century Lanes shortly after it moved to State Street. They were league bowlers, but Joe was worried she was too good for him – out of his league—but he was determined to ask her on a date despite his
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nervousness and agitation. “You’d think it was windy in there,” says Joe Moore. “I was shaking like a leaf.” Four generations of their family bowled there. Janet’s mom, Gladys Miller, who is now 94, bowled in a league. Janet’s children and her grandkids also were regulars. Candy Holderness, manager of the café, worked at 20th Candy Holderness Century Lanes for nine years. Her daughter, Summer, met her fiancé, Markus Browning, at the center and they were married July 1, 2017, the last event held at the center as it closed to the public on June 30th. The wedding was a fitting end to 20th Century Lanes’ legacy of love, family, and friends. The center held a farewell party for the community. Most brides spend the day before the wedding preparing for the ceremony, but Summer grilled hamburgers and hotdogs in the parking lot, greeting customers and welcoming them to the final farewell. Inside, the center gave away merchandise including yo-yos, coffee cups, and frisbees emblazoned with the 20th Century Lanes logo, keepsakes for those who cherish memories of their first dates or perfect games. Tunes like “Sugar, Sugar” played on the jukebox, while visitors filled a
FEATURE
large poster with farewell signatures, similar to a high school annual. But this was crammed with sentiments from those who had bowled at the center at its current location for 57 years. Like many who gathered on the closing day at 20th Century Lanes, Randee Jackson realized the bowling center became ingrained in her life. She started in one league but ended up in three. After bowling, her group of friends would continue socializing at a local restaurant. “I met a lot of great people here,” said Jackson, 64. “It’s just really sad. But it’s a lot of great memories.” It was also home to general manager Lucas Hohnstein, 26, Lindeen’s grandson, who has worked at the bowling center since he was 13. He met his wife Acacia there. “It definitely is pretty much all I’ve ever known,” Lucas said. But Lindeen notes that Lucas attended the University of Pikeville in Kentucky on a bowling scholarship and coached bowling at another Kentucky school for a year. During the summers, Lucas returned to work at 20th Century and did everything including coaching. Jessica, 28, Lindeen’s granddaughter, also worked at the center in junior high and high school. Later, whenever Jessica visited her mom when she was on school breaks, Jessica was roped in to working a shift. “It was always like I never left,” Jessica said. “I loved seeing the seniors glom onto me when I visited Mom. I loved the tournaments, bringing in people, new faces from around the valley and the state. It was exciting to be part of that.” “Both Lucas and Jessica worked hard and helped create a fun, safe place in Boise. It was a good place for all of us,” states Lindeen. “We were a bowling family.” Lindeen’s children all grew up at 20th Century Lanes and met their spouses there. Son Randy - Lucas’ dad - was a mechanic. Lindeen’s daughters Candace and Christine 24
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bowled junior league and worked weekends. “Both daughters still bowl right along with me.” Lindeen won the state championship in a scratch bowling tournament. Her average used to be 170 but now she feels lucky to bowl 150. “I still love it. I bowl better now. I don’t have to worry about the front desk or machines. I can just bowl and walk around and talk to people. I don’t have to worry about anything.” “I’m going to miss this place,” said Mary Harvey who worked at 20th Century Lanes, managing the front desk for 27 years. Her daughter, Jessica Deem, has been an employee since 1995, starting in the nursery. “When league bowlers were bowling, we’d take care of the kids. I worked the front desk, in the cafe, everything except mechanics. That’s too dangerous for me. I currently do payroll. It didn’t matter where anybody came from, Mona treated everyone like family.” The new tenant, Treasure Valley Skate, recognizes 20th Century’s important legacy by saying, “We honor the current establishment and respect their long-standing position in this community and we believe that our community will embrace a new exciting roller skating rink and fun center and continue the tradition of providing a safe, fun and great place for the families of our community to share long-lasting memories and experiences.” 20th Century Lanes will become part of local legend and history. The giant ball-and-pin sculpture in front of the center has been spared. As a donation to the Idaho State Historical Museum, it will find a new home in Julia Davis Park. But for many, the memories remain indelible. “This is my home,” stated Gwynne Lethcoe, 45, a junior league program coach for 25 years. Lethcoe learned to bowl when she was three. “My dad, myself and my son all bowled our first 300 [games] here. For the past 25 years, I’ve spent every Saturday here. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my Saturdays now. This is my family.” When 20th Century lost the lease, Lindeen was torn about what to do. Her husband, Chuck, a CPA, who had bowled college leagues at University of Oregon, gently pointed out that she was almost 80, saying, “It’s time for you to retire anyway.” Chuck knows the bowling business as well as his wife - they met in 1967 during one of Lindeen’s night shifts at 20th Century Lanes. As sad as it is, 20th Century Lanes will live on in the 21st century, as former customers and employees relive beautiful memories. ❖ Pamela Kleibrink Thompson lives in Idaho. In addition to writing, she is a career coach and scenario role player for peace officer training. Pamela worked as a production manager on the Emmy Award-winning animated series The Simpsons, where she bowled regularly with members of the crew. She speaks on career issues at conferences all over the world. You can reach Pamela at PamRecruit@q.com.
COVER STORY
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COVER STORY
The cheat-sheet for marketing in 2018. By Sean Krainert
R
unning a business requires the utilization of a number of systems and tools just to keep the doors open on a daily basis. Add in the factors you’re aware of, then throw in all the other factors that blindside you, and on top of that the evolution of technology, and it can take years of blood, sweat and tears to reach any resemblance of a profitable existence. Luckily today, for the savvy business owner as well as the overwhelmed one, there are dozens of tools, tactics and tips available that can turn the day-to-day business model into a thriving, lifelong journey of success. Granted, those undesirable and sometimes unpredictable road blocks will inevitably change the path of a business. But when you equip yourself with relevant knowledge, the road blocks become speedbumps, and the path to success gets a little smoother. The best way to find solutions is to pinpoint the problem. And one of the biggest problems for any business is, well, business! Foot traffic, that is. While there are so many moving parts to master to run a welloiled machine like an FEC, to keep the doors open, people have to be coming through them. And there’s only one way to do that: marketing. The good news is that marketing comes in many different forms. Marketing is what brings the business in and keeps it there, builds your brand, attracts the top layer of employees, and keeps you connected to your community. After talking to some of the top marketing businesses in the FEC community as well as wading in oodles of marketing research across sectors, we’ve compiled a Top 10 guide to FEC-specific marketing tips and tools. IBI
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COVER STORY
R Focus on What You
Are Selling: Remarkable Experiences.
The experience economy is back, and it is calling the shots. From online, service-oriented businesses, and product-driven brands, to the entertainment industry, every business has been pushed to fully surrender to the customer experience in order to survive. That doesn’t mean as a business you can let go of the focus on creating the best products and services to sell. It means that no matter how good your business is, there are hundreds of other businesses competing for your customer’s attention. As a member of the entertainment industry, putting your heart into generating unforgettable, customized experiences is one of the strongest marketing tools you can possess. So instead of selling your amazing, new virtual gaming arena, state-of-the-art escape room and unique culinary experience, bring it all in! Marketing a bigger picture of your brand means showing them who you are, not telling them. Your captivating activities can lure customers in the door, but remarkable experiences keep them there longer and send them out into the world raving about it.
R Research. Plan. Execute.
The great thing about a marketing plan is that it comes in every shape and size. Whether you are a family-run, 10-lane center or a mega entertainment chain, without a plan there’s nowhere to go but down. Marketing plans can be simple or complex depending on your venue, needs, and resources. But they all have a beginning, middle, and end corresponding to: research, plan, execute. And it works best in that order. If you come up a bit short on the marketing expertise, that’s when it is time to tap into the thriving business-to-business relationship world. You may be looking to weave one or two marketing concepts into your plan, or your business may need a more comprehensive assist. Either way, there are companies like eBowl.biz that can help. This small team of marketing mavens packs a punch when it comes to helping proprietors round out a marketing plan. They offer everything from email and text campaigns, to 30
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Facebook marketing, to website creation, to reputation management. The best part about companies like eBowl.biz is that they offer these services on an a la carte menu. Diving into the world of marketing today can be overwhelming if you don’t possess the savvy, innovative flair you need. By forging new relationships with marketing businesses, the heavy lifting of marketing can be taken off your shoulders, allowing you more time to put your energy Brandon Willey, CEO of Fetch Rev. where it is needed.
R Invest in People. It can be easy to be swept away by the newest marketing technology or attraction for your venue. But when it comes down to it, the way you invest in your staff is one of the most important and essential building blocks to create a flourishing business. Just like marketing, hiring comes with a number of puzzle pieces that must fit together tightly in order to be the most effective. The entertainment and hospitality industries are well-known for having urgent needs for employees, often motivating quick hires for front-line work. But marketing, at its core, is both internal and external, with the internal factor most often overlooked. In order to strengthen a brand and business from the inside and to attract customers externally, it begins with staffing. Founder and CEO of TrainerTainment, Beth Standlee, lends her expert outlook on the importance of internal marketing: “Decide what your core values are before you hire. You can then market those kinds of things and you can put them in your ad. If you can market to the kind of people who believe what you believe, then your external guests are going to have the experience that is going to make them keep coming back. And this way, internally and externally, you have this place where people want to come and be together.” And if internal marketing and hiring isn’t your strongest skill, it’s time to reach out and work with the experts to help you efficiently invest in your staff.
R Personalization: Feed into The Need.
It is no secret that the world has become a place that feeds off personalization. The culture has shifted over the last decade, with a flood of technological advances across every industry, reshaping the customer expectation. And when it comes to marketing, every aspect of your business benefits from tapping into your inner customer. After all, we
COVER STORY are all consumers who enjoy our experiences a bit more when they are tailored to our wants and needs. QubicaAMF picked up on this trend years ago and created a scoring system, a marketing tool made to generate personalized environments. In order to break the mold of producing just another high-end physical piece of equipment, they took it many steps further and developed an interactive system that lets the customer take part in generating their own experience. If part of your marketing plan overlaps with the need for new updated equipment, why not invest in one that does more than keep score. As the sport of bowling changes, tools like QubicaAMF’s BES X scoring system are taking part in redefining the bowling experience. By tailoring scoring to the recreational bowler, the QubicaAMF system invites every type of bowler to take part and craft a personalized experience. “BES X capitalizes on the fun, social aspect (of bowling) and marries it with the competitive aspect. The idea is that if we can really engage the customer in the experience, it takes the experience beyond just rolling balls at pins, and it really involves the consumer in what is happening,” says Stephanie Darby, marketing director of QubicaAMF.
R
Details, Details, Details. Customers are Paying Attention, and So Should You.
You may wonder why details fall under marketing. That’s because everything you do falls under marketing. Every single detail within your facility reflects your brand. And ultimately, it is your brand that you are selling to consumers. You know your job is to create remarkable customer experiences, and that includes the physical appearance of your facility. While that may seem like a no-brainer, it isn’t always. For example, if all your attractions are top-notch and the staff is friendly and interactive, but your bathrooms are dirty with broken hand dryer machines, what does that say about your brand? It says your brand is a little dirty and a little broken. Building in a section to your marketing plan for upgrading and maintaining your facility is equally Carey Tosello of eBowl.biz. as important as social media marketing and staffing. An overhaul can feel overwhelming, but there are other ways to address much-needed renovations without breaking the budget. For example, among the many products that US Bowling offers is a scoring system rental program. That 32
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means you can start modernizing your facility without decimating the bottom line. No matter where you start, make sure you inspect every nook and cranny of your facility.
R Consumer Data
Matters. Now Go Out There and Get it!
Just like every other company out there, collecting consumer data is a significant part of a marketing plan. Gathering this data is the driving force behind identifying your target market, creating a marketing plan, and executing that plan with customized information. From small to large business, there are several ways to gather data from your customers. If you are at Ground Zero on this front, the first step may be as simple as putting out a clipboard on your counter and having your staff ask customers to fill out their info in return for coupons and event information. And if you don’t have time to gather and process consumer data in your spare time, that’s okay too. Data collection experts like FetchREV can do that legwork for you, while you enjoy the benefits. Partnering allows you to effortlessly collect data and use it to enforce marketing goals around email and SMS campaigns and promotions which in the end lead to increased revenue.
R Bowling has Officially Gone Mobile. Best You Go with It.
In our October 2017 issue, we highlighted the rise of the mobile platform and its relation to the sport of bowling and BEC proprietors. As the preferred platform for consumers, it is one of the most common ways that customers can interact with your brand. Jim Osdale, president of Steltronic North America explained that they developed two apps: one for the recreational bowler with the ability to interact with other bowlers around the world; and one developed for the league bowler which gives the bowler’s statistics, from high and low games, to which pins the
COVER STORY bowler continues to leave for spares. The apps are free to download. To take that one step further, the Sports Challenge Network recognizes that the sport of bowling is moving over to the same mobile platform in ways we couldn’t have imagined just 20 years ago. Alex Kaminsky, president of SCN, confirmed the struggle that the bowling industry has had with thinking about marketing and engaging the way other sports do. From that, came their X Bowling product. By recognizing and examining how consumer behavior has completely changed in terms of technology, SCN was able to create a mobile app that allows bowlers to virtually compete against other bowlers using real scores while playing for cash prizes. “There are so many basic features within a phone that can make sport experiences better. Real-time data, geolocation, text, cameras, social platforms. Other Alex Kaminsky like-minded, skill-based sports are creating experiences that are keeping customers on that mobile platform. That is what SCN and our X Bowling platform is trying to do with bowling,” says Kaminsky. Going mobile deserves a place in every marketing plan. Every proprietor should connect with their customers, where they spend the most time.
R
Go All In with Marketing Support.
If after you sit down to draft your marketing plan and you get up before one thought hits the page, you can always opt-out of going back to school for a marketing degree, and opt-in with an all-inclusive marketing company. That is why the business-tobusiness relationship was developed. Businesses need other businesses to get to where they need to be: a printing press couldn’t live without the paper company; Amazon could not exist without delivery companies; and restaurants are learning to thrive with companies like Caviar and UberEats. It is now part of the circle of business. Brunswick Sync took over two years to research to find out what bowlers really wanted. From here they were able to identify what proprietors needed to do to deliver. Their Sync program, an all-in-one scoring and management system, was created on the foundation of automating and systemizing tasks for the proprietor so they could provide a more enjoyable customer experience while driving their revenue up.
R Do Something. R Your Reputation is your Brand.
Ignoring your reputation is a common mistake made by businesses both small and large. Energy gets channeled toward big marketing ideas, developing services and products, and using sharp copywriting in an effort to attract flocks of potential consumers. And that’s all a big part of marketing. But if you are really going for the home run and not the show, there needs to be attention to building and maintaining your reputation. The best place to start fostering your reputation is locally. Never underestimate the value of being involved with your community, donating to local events or hosting holiday parties for your area businesses. In the big picture you are always marketing your brand. And your brand is built on your reputation. So, go ahead and get out there and genuinely sell yourself!
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That’s right. That is the last tip on the Top 10 marketing tools. If you don’t do anything to market yourself, all other efforts become futile. So, while a marketing plan may have been a suggestion in the past, today it is one of the most vital building blocks of a business. Start small if that works for you. Go allin with a premium marketing company if that works for you. Remember, the marketing journey starts with a single, simple, small step. (But it’s better to hit the pavement running!) ❖
Sean Krainert is a freelance copywriter living in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in real estate, hospitality and mental health writing. He is also an alumni of the Wichita State Shocker bowling program.
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FEATURE
By Mark Miller
W
hile the surrounding neighborhood has changed multiple times, Southport Lanes and Billiards has remained a staple in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood since 1922. Located less than one mile southwest of Wrigley Field, the facility features an old-fashioned bar, multiple billiards tables and the original four lanes believed to be the oldest in the area. On November 5, 2017, it celebrated its 95th anniversary with 1920s prices, including 5 cent games, cheap beer and cocktails reminiscent of that bygone era. “We were packed,” said Steve Sable, 53, Southport’s owner since 1991. “It went great. Everyone had a great time.” Southport’s lanes and adjacent billiards room take up about half of the facility’s 6,000 square feet. The bar is the other half. The entire enterprise spans the equivalent of two standard Chicago storefronts. Like many older facilities, scoring continues to be done by hand. Unlike nearly any, Southport still has its pins set by hand by adults, after kids stopped handling the chore
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about ten to fifteen years ago. “It’s part of who we are,” Sable said. “I don’t know how much longer we can do it but for the foreseeable future we’ll keep working it. It’s basically guys who work in the kitchen who pick up extra shifts as a pinsetter.” Southport opens at 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon Fridays-Sundays. Sable said from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. on weekends it’s virtually impossible to get lanes from Steve Sable October until the spring. There currently are no organized leagues, and it is not certified by the USBC. Its origins date back to around 1900 when the Schlitz Brewery opened it as The Nook, one of the city’s multiple branded brew houses. Soon after Prohibition started, the four bowling lanes were added on the lower end in an attempt at legitimacy even with a brothel upstairs. Yes, this venerable place started as a speakeasy. And then as today, it had the Schlitz logo on the masking unit above the lanes. In 1933, the current billiards room was built as an illegal off-track betting parlor directly connected to horse tracks nationwide. It retained its questionable reputation until the mid 1940s when it was bought by the Beitz family, turning it into a neighborhood bar and bowling alley. Leo and Ella Beitz took over from his parents in 1963 and renamed it Leo’s Southport Lanes below the apartment where he was raised. When Leo and Ella were ready to retire in 1991 and their children weren’t
FEATURE
Southport Lanes staff enjoying a cold one.
interested in taking over the business, they sold it to Sable. “It was a piece of Chicago history, and I thought, ‘Wow, people are setting your pins,’” Sable said. “It was just this great old place built by the Schlitz Brewing Company at the turn of the century. It captured my imagination and I really wanted it and we did it.” He said since then the neighborhood has changed from a rough one frequented by motorcyclists to today filled with young professionals with children in strollers. “When we bought it, there were people out there holding up our staff at gunpoint. It was kind of dangerous,” he said. “There was gang warfare going on across the street. I was even a witness in a trial in an attempted rape and murder [which happened] across the street. It was definitely a different neighborhood. “Then things kind of started to change in the 90s. People were tearing down all these cute houses and putting up million dollar homes. Now the retail has
followed. We’ve got chain stores there.” However, neighbors like The Gap, Amazon Books, and a café operated by a bank haven’t been around long enough to exude the flavor of what the Prohibition era was like in the Windy City. Southport is among three centers owned by Sable and his Spare Time Inc. business. The other bowling facilities, both with eight lanes, are Seven Ten Lanes in Hyde Park, just north of the University of Chicago, and a brew pub with lanes located just south of Southport called Burnt City Brewing. He
The lanes at Southport.
also owns five restaurants. Sable’s background is in restaurants and bars, plus real estate and restoring old buildings. The Richmond, VA, native’s introduction to bowling was primarily in duckpins. He learned about candlepins while attending college in New England. After college, he moved to Chicago, and in his late 20s bought into something that is just five years short of being 100 years old. “We’re definitely a dinosaur but we definitely add to the character of the street so we’ve been able to sustain ourselves and we keep it going,” Sable said. “It still does very well. We’ve been very popular.” ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He's the author of Bowling: America's Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com or directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com.
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PROFILE
PARADISE FOUND AND LOST Former BPAA Executive Director John Berglund found Paradise but Hurricane Irma had a different plan. By Joan Taylor
J
ohn Berglund was best known in the bowling community as the Executive Director of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America from 2002 to 2009. The former attorney took on the national organization with his own agenda, and in a short time achieved all of his goals. His most significant achievement was, “the further unification of the industry for one common goal; the growth of the sport/business.” A big part of this was the opening of the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, TX. This provided centralized homes for the BPAA, United States Bowling Congress (USBC), Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA, which is now the IBMA), International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA), and the USBC Hall of Fame among others. He retired at the top of his game, at age 55, when he and his wife Cyndi moved to Paradise in the form of Grand Case, St. Martin, the French side of the Caribbean island in the French West Indies. There he realized his long-awaited dream of opening a perfumery. They opened Tijon named for their son, Tyler John. The idea of a perfumery began in John’s youth when he enjoyed experimenting in a home laboratory with different solutions. When the Berglund family vacationed in St. Martin in 1996, he knew that’s where he wanted to set up the business. Once their children, Rachelle and Tyler, were grown and had established their own lives in San Diego, and after John had met his objectives with the BPAA, it was time for the Berglunds to move to and enjoy their Paradise. John and Cyndi bought a duplex and started up their business full time in 2009. Tijon eventually offered workshops and ready-made perfumes. John was even inspired to write a book, “A Beach Less Traveled, From Corporate Chaos to Flip Flop Perfumer” (Emerald Book Company, 2012). While John brought his passion for chemistry to the business, Cyndi used her experiences as a bed-and-breakfast operator, retail manager, and corporate employee to the table. The business became successful and living in Paradise turned out to be a great decision.
6, 2017, an uninvited guest, Hurricane Irma, arrived on the island. The initial reports indicated that Irma was to hit north of the island. No worries. Then suddenly she changed her mind and swung south, directly toward St. Martin. The Berglunds immediately took in their part-time employee, Marilyn. They also invited and waited for a friend, Jean Henri, and his family. All of this was on Tuesday, September 5th. However, local law enforcement gendarmes came to the door and issued a mandatory evacuation because the category of the impending hurricane
Paradise Lost Things were going well. Tijon received glowing reviews on internet travel pages, such as TripAdvisor. Life was good. Then on September 44
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Cyndi and John Berglund.
PROFILE Jose was on its way. By the grace of God, Jose weakened and left St. Martin alone. On the first Sunday following Irma, John and Cyndi witnessed a day of cleaning up by road graders and big trucks, powered by workers who had been flown in from France. The French military also passed out water to the residents and controlled the streets to prevent further looting. The next issue was how and when to fly people off the island to get to areas of food, clothing, and shelter. The Berglunds secured their property and left their renters in charge. They then flew to Guadeloupe, on to Santo Domingo and eventually to the U.S.A.
Aftermath was unknown. Word got to Henri to meet them at the shelter, a new school in the village of LaSane. As the duplex was only 75 steps from the ocean, it was the safest thing to do. It all seemed like a simple standard operating procedure. The shelter was equipped with gym mats, bottled water and crackers for the duration of the hurricane. At 2 a.m. on Wednesday the wind and rain started, and by 4 a.m., the winds were howling. John said, “From 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. we rotated four men at a time to hold the double door shut as the wind was attempting to blow it outward.”
The Calm During the Storm At 7 a.m. the eye passed and John said, “For an hour it was calm and partly sunny. We all went outside to view the tremendous damage to the school and our cars. I guess that 80% of the cars on the island sustained damage, most of them missing windows.” By 8 a.m. the eye had moved on, and the hurricane returned, but with must less force. By 10 a.m. it was over. At noon John and Cyndi joined the others from the shelter in walking outside to return home and survey the damage. John was shocked to find a war zone. A beach restaurant, Caribbean Creole, was now a vacant lot. Another restaurant on the beach called Frenchy’s was totally gone. Of the six lolos (open air food stands), only two survived. Most houses had no roofs. The perfumerie was mostly spared except for the door having been blown open. Some youths were seen leaving with perfumes. The Berglunds’ house lost its zinc roof. All the upstairs furniture had been tossed around and half the shutters were gone. The couple waded through a foot of water in their home to look for canned goods and to find anything salvageable. Then there were the two small villas the couple rented out. One was completely destroyed and the second sustained damage. “No vegetation was left standing on the island,” John observed. “Small jets and helicopters flew over constantly presumably surveying the damage.” As if all of this weren’t enough, a report came in that Category 4 Hurricane 46
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On December 15th, the Berglunds reopened Tijon, although there are few tourists as it will take some time with hotels, plus the airport needs to be rebuilt. Six weeks after Irma, the island was still without electricity or water, and, at press time, there was still no internet or cell phone service in the Berglund’s village of Grand Case. What John and Cyndi took from this, as they await insurance settlements and then look to joining a long line of residents needing laborers, is that, “Irma changed many lives including ours. But we can rebuild. We’ve many friends on the island who have lost everything. We could view Irma as a tremendous setback to our life and financial plans, but we’d prefer to consider life as an adventure, one that should be enjoyed each day, [as] we have the opportunity to wake up in good health.” In the interim, John and Cyndi purchased a home in Arizona “to be closer to our grandkids in San Diego and to expand Tijon in the U.S. by fulfilling internet orders and franchising the brand,” according to John. John’s final words on the entire experience: “Life is good.” And that’s whatever happened to John Berglund. ❖
Joan Taylor is a multi-award winning bowling writer based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
DATEBOOK
APRIL
5-8 Pro Shop Training Classes Jayhawk Bowling Supply Russ or Alex (800) 255-6436
12-13 Trainertainment Train the Trainer BPAA Training Campus, Arlington, TX Trainertainment.net (817) 886-4840
MAY
1-2 Lasertron’s Laser Tag Conference Laser-tron.com (800) 897-8766
15-17 IBPSIA Master Class Southpoint Hotel and Casino Ibpsia.com 17-21 International Bowl Expo Paris Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, NV Bpaa.com/bowlexpo
JULY 17-19 BPAA Bowling University Management School Toftrees Golf Resort State College, PA
AUGUST 8-9 2018 LaserTAG360 Creative Works Danny Gruening (317) 834-4770, ext 104 danny@thewoweffect.com
15 Illinois State BPA Digital Marketing Boot Camp Joliet Town & Country Lanes Joliet, IL (847) 982-1305 billduff@bowlillinois.com
2-5 Pro Shop Training Classes Jayhawk Bowling Supply Russ or Alex (800) 255-6436 7-8 2018 LaserTAG360 Creative Works Danny Gruening (317) 834-4770, ext. 104 danny@the woweffect.com 22-23 Trainertainment Advanced Sales BPAA Training Campus, Arlington, TX Trainertainment.net (817) 886-4840
JUNE 7-10 Pro Shop Training Classes Jayhawk Bowling Supply Russ or Alex (800) 255-6436
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OCTOBER 4-7 Pro Shop Training Classes Jayhawk Bowling Supply Russ or Alex (800) 255-6436
7-9 Southwest Trade Show Texas Bowling Centers Association Golden Nugget Group rate available ($119) Lake Charles, LA Karen Miller (512) 467-9331 klm@sbcglobal.net
11-12 Trainertainment Business Coaching BPAA Training Campus, Arlington, TX Trainertainment.net (817) 886-4840
DECEMBER 6-9 Pro Shop Training Classes Jayhawk Bowling Supply Russ or Alex (800) 255-6436
BPAA One-Day Management Boot Camps Available to state associations & multi-unit centers Upcoming Management Boot Camps:
May: Iowa, Bev Van Blair, (515) 255-0808 SoCal, (909) 247-9734 July: Missouri, Skip Merryman, (817) 385-8446 Pennsylvania, Chris Gallas Ohio, Lewis Sims, (419) 935-1394 Idaho, Skip Merryman September: Louisiana, Marc Pater, (225) 925-5471 Contact Kelly Bednar (817) 385-8462 Kelly@bpaa.com
SHOWCASE REDEMPTION TECHNOLOGY
BMi Merchandise, founded in 1986, is one of the industry leaders in redemption technology and a top distributor of products. The company is known for its Automated Merchandise Replenishment System, AMRS™, which aligns with every leading redemption POS system, ensuring accurate, efficient redemption merchandise management. The hands-on commitment to driving amusement revenue for its customers, brings a constantly changing mix of the finest electronics, novelties and toys, priced right and in-stock. In 2017, BMi completed the redemption centers for the Boston and Honolulu locations of Lucky Strike with more projects coming in 2018.
BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT
Alcohol Controls offers its BevSpot Beverage Management Program. BevSpot makes taking inventories extremely easy using your mobile device. Products are organized by locations to match your bar’s layout. Multiple users can perform inventories, drastically cutting inventory time. BevSpot calculates your bar’s actual product costs, potential sales, profit and pour costs across each of your beverage categories. The software learns from your trends and suggests improvements to your beverage program. BevSpot’s smart ordering automatically places product orders to distributors via email or text and keeps an organized, searchable online history of your orders and what gets delivered. The average customer gets paid back on their annual cost of BevSpot in the first three months. Visit AlcoholControls.com or call (800) 285-2337. Sign up for a 20-minute demo, and you will receive your first month at no cost.
VIRTUAL MARKETING
Stellar marketing execution drives profitable results. QubicaAMF knows the challenges that bowling centers face when trying to start and sustain new marketing programs—like not having enough time to execute good ideas, having too little marketing experience to repeat successes, not having professional marketing assistance—or the budget for it. Does any of this sound familiar? If so, QubicaAMF has the solution—the Virtual Marketing Manager program. Using the Virtual Marketing Manager is a simple, affordable, highly effective way to get the professional marketing help you need without monopolizing your time or burdening your payroll. It is like having the expertise of a consultant and the direction of a mentor all in one. Visit QubicaAMF.com to learn more.
CARPET PROTECTION
Omega Pattern Works’ Infinity® stain protection protects the colors and design, creating a permanent barrier between the stain and the carpet. It will last for over 40 hot water extraction cleanings. This exclusive protection goes beyond chemical reaction. Infinity® is the total manufacturing process.
SCORING & MANAGEMENT
Sync Scoring and Management System from Brunswick Bowling Products offers you robust POS functionality. Its easy-to-use event management tools simplify online or in-center bookings, invoicing, and administration of any resource. Sync also offers digital waitlist management that streamlines customer service and increases interaction with customers. Embedded CRM tools help build marketing databases and leverage customer data to drive more effective, automated marketing. To learn more, visit www.brunswickbowling.com/sync-demo.
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CLASSIFIEDS
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CLASSIFIEDS
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY ALL AMF BUMPER PARTS, XS Q-BUMP, DURABOWL AND GEN II IN STOCK
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Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767
Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - daryl@tuckerbowling.com
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CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
MECHANIC WANTED
Used WINS system Steltronic automatic scoring with new componentry & new operating desk. Bumper capability. $2450/lane installed. Also available: used Qubica scoring; bumper/gutter/capping; new & used synthetic lane panels. Installations available. Knotritellc@gmail.com.
HEAD MECHANIC for Brunswick A2 pinsetters and Qubica BES X scoring, with overall center expertise needed. Busy 40-lane center in St. Clair Shores, a suburb of Detroit, MI. Good working environment. Salary negotiable. Send resume to david@shorelanesbowling.com.
NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
HEAD MECHANIC for 82-30 pinsetters in South Florida. Will help to relocate. Email: needheadmechanic@gmail.com.
REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751.
EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Call (608) 764-1464.
POSITION WANTED Certified Brunswick mechanic versed on all American and Japanese serial machines and ZOT conversions. Seeking part time or full time in the Denver and central Colorado area. Will furnish all tools and equipment. 43 years experience; excellent references. Call (303) 948-8770 or (303) 870-5860.
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EDUCATION & TRAINING PRO SHOP TRAINING. Classes always forming. Jayhawk Bowling Supply (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
CENTERS FOR SALE MISSISSIPPI (Corinth): Profitable 16-lane Brunswick A center. Equipment in excellent condition. Includes snack bar, game/pool room. On 7 acres. Call (662) 415-3555 or email kidd1949@bellsouth.net. EASTERN OKLAHOMA: 16 lanes, Brunswick & Steltronic. Laser tag. Arcade. Snack bar. Bar. Very operational. Great condition. Or, move the operation to your location. Owner is tired. Will separate lane package. Knotritellc@gmail.com. FLORIDA: Central. Attractive, mid-sized center with revenues trending up. Owner retiring. Call David Driscoll (352) 735-8065.
MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Portable/Pre-Fab. Black Light/Traditional/Pro Putter.
202 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com
CENTERS FOR SALE CENTRAL IDAHO: Busy, updated, 8-lane (synthetic) center: electronic scorekeeping, league play & 50-seat restaurant with drive thru. Easy highway access. Assumable loan. Call (775) 720-2726 for more details.
LOCKER KEYS FAST! All Keys done by code # Locks and Master Keys E-mail: huff@inreach.com TOLL FREE
1-800-700-4539
CLASSIFIEDS
ARE YOU A FAN OF BOWLING?
www.Facebook.com/BowlingFan AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC board repair/exchange. 6-month warranty, fast turnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service 5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054 Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695) Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon) E-mail: wb8yjf@sbcglobal.net Visit us on the WEB! http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/
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CLASSIFIEDS Felix Erickson Company Inc. Strike Zone © Family of Industry Leading Lane Products Strike Zone KB Lane Cleaner 5 gal case $ 95.00 Strike Zone Next Generation L.C. 5 gal/case $ 105.00 Strike Zone SuperStar L.C. 5 gal/case $ 120.00 Envi-Cide II Disinfectant/Shoe Aerosol $ 89.95/case Solve-It Orange All Purpose Cleaner $ 69.95/case ®
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Exclusive Phenolic Kickback Plates Front 15” x 33” Rear 19” x 23 ¾” $ 89.00 each (includes screws and instructions) FESI Solve-It Ball Wheel Liner @ $90.00 /roll 070-011-905 Waffle Distributor Belt w/ lacing $58.00 each Toll Free (800) 445-1090 | P (609) 267-2833 | F (609) 267-466 www.festrikezone.com | Resurfacing-Repairs-Supplies
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
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