IBI October 2016 by International Bowling Industry Magazine

CONTENTS

VOL 24.10

6 ISSUE AT HAND

26 COVER STORY

Destiny Calling

Seeking Ed Who’s going to buy my center?

By Scott Frager

By Robert Sax

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

CONTRIBUTORS

8 SHORTS • Queen of Hearts raffle is a two-plus, million-dollar hit. • Karl Kielich joins BVL BOD • Creative Works and Bowlmor AMF strike a working partnership. • Bowling ball pyramid—quite an accomplishment!

36 TOURNAMENTS Upon the Sea An auspicious year for the QubicaAMF World Cup in Shanghai By Paul Lane

42 PROFILE After a career spent building FECs, Kevin Mills is having some fun for himself.

16 CENTER STAGE

By Kevin Mills with Paul Lane 36

Maple Hall in downtown Knoxville maintains the intimacy of an old center with all of the modern upgrades.

54 REMEMBER WHEN 1962 Tareyton Cigarettes

By Evan Henerson

By Patty Heath

22 HIDDEN LANES Things Old and New in The Upper Hudson River Valley

By Anna Littles

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October 2016

fredgroh@bowlingindustry.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com

ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks

FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)

Kevin Mills, The Man

In Ballston Spa, NY, #68 Milton Avenue held a secret for over 100 years.

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Fred Groh

www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424

By Patty Heath

Memory Lane…In the 21st Century

Patty Heath Evan Henerson Paul Lane Anna Littles Kevin Mills Robert Sax

48 Showcase 49 Classifieds

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 2015, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.

MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:

THE ISSUE AT HAND

Destiny Calling “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” - William Shakespeare As business owners, we face difficult decisions regarding This “shot across the bow” gave me the courage to pay hiring, firing, expanding or contracting. Each day these decisions attention to Destiny’s message and help me make the decision affect the lives and careers of others. However, how often do to retire from my duties as executive director of the BCSC. What we take the time to thoughtfully and seriously consider when a blessing it has been to work with some of the most amazing it may be OUR time to make a change in our own careers? bowling proprietors and bowling industry leaders from state and A full decade ago, I was offered national levels for so many years. a position, through a fantastic and I enjoyed an amazing year fortuitous chance encounter, to serving as President of the Society become the executive director of the of Bowling Centers Association Bowling Centers of Southern CA Executives and had the opportunity (BCSC). I’ve truly been blessed to to learn from the hardest-working have served these past 10 years. I and most professional group of love the BCSC, its members, and BPAA state executive directors. I’m WWW.BOWLINGINDUSTRY.COM representing BPAA in Southern CA. humbled by their work and passion. Destiny required that I accept My official duties as ED will end this professional challenge of leading one of the most dynamic on October 31, but my focus on bowling by publishing this and diverse state chapters of the Bowling Proprietors magazine and operating Los Angeles’ Pinz Bowling Center will Association of America. What I never expected, however, was grow even stronger. that Destiny would visit again creating a clear vision of when Good ol’ Shakespeare was right. Our it would be time for me to move on. But, she did. business destiny is ours to hold, not the Destiny visited me at my physician’s office during a regular stars. Don’t be afraid to listen to the annual physical. It turned out that my doctor didn’t like some universe around you. numbers on my PSA blood work and suggested I see a specialist Respectfully, who ultimately determined I had early-stage prostate cancer. I’m pleased to report that my surgery to remove the offending – SCOTT FRAGER, organ was a success, that my prognosis is excellent, and that PUBLISHER AND EDITOR I feel as strong as ever. frager@bowlingindustry.com

WHEN DO YOU KNOW

IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON?

4PINBOY CHALLENGE In response to Paul Lanes’ challenge to past pinboys, based on IBI’s “Remember When” in August’s issue, Pierce Murrey, managing director at ABS Bowling Pte, Ltd., Singapore, responded. In an email, he reminisced, “By the way, I once set pins manually. It was a 6-lane center in the basement of the CYO in Yonkers [NY]. No machines whatsoever! The ‘pinsetter’ stepped on a small rod imbedded in the pit and prongs popped out of the pin spots. The pinboy then proceeded to put the pins on the prongs and when finished, released the prongs. I always thought that was the reason [there were] little holes in the bottom of the pins. Between balls, we sat on the kickbacks talking about health and safety. [I think he might be kidding.] When the ball hit, we would jump into the pit, put the ball on the overlane return, step on the rod, and proceed to set the pins. “I remember it like it was yesterday, this little kid, setting pins next to me. Man, was he fast! He could set a full set of pins before the ball was halfway back to the bowler. No machine on the market today could beat him. Money was great, but unfortunately my mother would not let me go there. People were drinking and smoking; not a good place for kids. I wonder what she would say now???” Pierce Murrey Thank you, Pierce!

Have a story? Email Patty at heath@bowlingindustry.com. 6

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SHORTS

ß BITS & PIECES ß ß ß Keynote Speaker at GM and Owners’ Breakfast at IAAPA

For its Attractions Expo 2016, IAAPA has announced that Steve Van den Kerkhof, CEO of Plopsa Group, and chairman of the board of Studio 100, will be the keynote speaker at the GM and Owners’ Breakfast. Plopsa owns and operates six themed entertainment facilities in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany. Van den Kerkhof co-founded the theme park division when Studio 100 bought its first theme park in 1999. The expo is to be held November 1418, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß Biggest Little Veteran’s Week Military Tournament

A new bowling tournament, aimed at honoring active and retired members of the armed forces, is headed to the National Bowling Stadium. Set up to be an annual event, the Biggest Little Veteran’s Week Military Tournament will take place November 7-10 and is hosted by the Eldorado Resort Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Circus Circus Reno and Reno Tahoe USA. The event is open to uniformed service members including active duty, National Guard and Ready Reserve, as well as uniformed service retirees and honorably discharged vets and Department of Defense civilians. The estimated prize payout is $160,000 and a portion of the tournament proceeds will benefit BVL.

UK’s Hollywood Bowl Stock Offering

Hollywood Bowl, Britain’s biggest chain of ten-pin bowling centers, currently with 54 sites, will offer a £280 million stock market listing. Electra, a private equity firm, purchased the company two years ago when it was known as The Original Bowling Company. The firm had attempted a listing, only to pull back as the EU vote approached. However, after potential investors said they were still willing to take part in the IPO, the plan has been revived.

ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß GRAN PRIX to distribute Strike Seeker

Strike Seeker, an all-in-one coaching and self-training tool from AisleAware LLC, is now available through Steve Cook-GRAN PRIX Bowling Supply. GRAN PRIX has been appointed exclusive distributor west of the Mississippi River. First introduced at Bowl Expo 2015, Strike Seeker uses an overhead camera to track the bowling ball and provide an array of readings, while automatically preparing a set of replays that watch the bowler from different sides.

ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß New Mexico Open

Twenty-two-year-old Eric Hatchett won the 13th New Mexico Open held at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho this past August. The tournament paid out a record $60,010, which totaled more than $71,900 after adding in sweepers, bracket, the Pro-Am and Consolation prize funds. Hatchett received $10,560, while second place Darren Tang of San Francisco went home with $5,560. Next year’s Open will be held August 18-20.

ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß Tribute to Peyton Manning

Creative Works announced it is working, along with Indy Art Forge, on a project for the Indianapolis Colts to help build a bronze statue of retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning was this year’s Bowl Expo keynote speaker.

Country Lanes in Ludington Sold

Sandy Hansell and Associates, Inc. brokered the sale of Country Lanes, a 16-lane center, in Ludington, MI. Donn and Karen Slimmen purchased the center from Dave House, who bought it 15 years ago from the Slimmens. It appears that good things come back around.

CREATIVE WORKS TAPPED FOR MULTIPLE BOWLMOR AMF LOCATIONS As per its press release, Creative Works has been contracted by Bowlmor AMF to install laser tag attractions at three locations across the southeast: AMF Western Branch Lanes, VA; Bowlmor Lanes Strike Miami, FL; and Bowlero Columbus (formerly AMF Peach Lanes), GA. These attractions mark a trend that has been continuing for the last decade in the bowling industry. The arenas at the Georgia and Florida locations look like urban battle zones. However, Creative Works added local flare such as local street names and other iconic pieces. Inspired by the movie Avatar, AMF Western Branch Lanes’ area is a military outpost with fluorescent plants and trees and 14-foot robots that tower over the laser tag arena. 8

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October 2016

Bowlmor Lanes Strike Miami

SHORTS

PEOPLEWATCHING

Lynnwood Bowl & Skate in Washington state celebrated 60 years of business last month. Opened in 1956, the 24-lane center and 13,000-square-foot rink have been an entertainment hub for many generations. Not much has changed since 1956. The mural of the Seattle skyline and mountains, painted by Dona Ely in the 1970s, is still intact. Ely also has worked as a skating coach at Lynnwood since 1969. She is now 84 and still going strong just like the business.

While 60 years is pretty darn good, Buckeye Lanes in Marion, OH, takes the cake at 90 years and going strong. The center has made the transition from pinboys and pencil-and-paper scoresheets to automatic ball returns and computerized scoring. It started in 1926 with an eight-lane house and is one of the oldest eight-lane centers in the country. Robert Manning and his wife Cheryl have owned Buckeye since 2007. However, not to stay in the past, the Mannings will be replacing the original wood lanes with state-of-the-art Brunswick synthetic lanes.

A former member of the U.S. Air Force, Karl Kielich, USBC board member, has been appointed to the BVL board of directors by USBC president Frank Wilkinson. On the USBC board, Kielich has chaired the Association Outreach Committee and served on a Karl Kielich number of other committees. He has also worked on the Women’s Championships task force, Performance Standards task force, and IBC Joint Strategic Planning task force. “I’m eager to get started with BVL and, specifically, growing our sport’s commitment to give back to those who have served,” shared Kielich. Kielich was president of the El Paso USBC for five years and is currently the association manager. An El Paso USBC Hall of Fame member, he is also a USBC Bronze coach. Since 2005, Kielich has been with AT&T as a lead financial analyst. Previously, he was an assistant manager at a bowling center. Kielich replaces former USBC board member, Anthony Colangelo, on the BVL board.

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME WITH THE QUEEN OF HEARTS concessions sold at the center. Summer is always a slow time. The Queen of Hearts did more than make tarts at SkyLane However, this grew way beyond the expectations of King or the bowling center in Garrettsville, OH. If drawn, her card would imagination of his customers. King does not unlock a jackpot, presently at over $3 take a cut of the proceeds. Beyond the center million; if not, the jackpot would roll over garnering profit from concessions, the whole until the next drawing. Having over city has benefitted. “It’s increased revenue 10,000 people in attendance for a raffle for those businesses and gas stations— is good for business in the 2,000-resident anybody who’s open on Sunday,“ said town of Garrettsville, OH. Aaron King, Garrettsville mayor, Rick Patrick. What is the third generation owner of Skylane, said, Queen of Hearts? It is a raffle game in which “I never anticipated it getting this big. 100 percent of the pool is paid out. Fifty-four We’ve been tremendously lucky.” Besides playing cards, a deck, including two jokers, are the Queen of Hearts, King also offers a randomly placed face down on a board and 50-50 raffle each week with proceeds At one drawing, more than 6,000 people at assigned a number from 1-54. Each card is going to different charities. “It has been SkyLane Bowling awaited the drawing of a absolutely amazing,” he said. “The total ticket for the Queen of Hearts raffle. As weeks sealed in plastic by the manufacturer. Once a week, one ticket is drawn and the card with the was $47,400 this past week and half went went by, this number grew to over 15,000. corresponding number is cut out of the plastic to local police and ambulance. Thus far, and revealed. If the queen remains covered, we have donated over $100,000 to local the jackpot rolls over for the next game. The winner must be charities. It’s been the best thing about this—to help out so present to collect 90 percent. If absent, they will collect half of many people.” the jackpot amount. Tickets sell for $5 each. The game started as an attempt to make more money on 10

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SHORTS

Media

WATCH ‘BIG LEBOWSKI’ SPINOFF? A sequel to The Big Lebowski? Not sure. However, actor John Turturro has wanted to reprise his role of Jesus Quintana for some time. The magazine Birth.Movies.Death. blogged that Turturro is currently shooting a movie, which he is directing off his own script, with his Lebowzki character Quintana Turturro as Jesus Quintana in The as a central figure. Officially, it is a sort-of remake of a 1974 French sex comedy, Going Big Lebowski. Places. Besides Turturro, the project includes Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou and Susan Sarandon. So while the true subject is still under wraps, it could be the spinoff we have all been waiting for. But, maybe not.

DUCKPIN EVOLUTION

What do you do when you’re developing your bar and bowling business? “Just go with the flow,” is what Thirsty Duck GM, Dominic Hoeffler, suggests. The Thirsty Duck is in Wauwatosa, WI, and, as the name implies, the game is duckpins with six 16-foot lanes; squatty duckpins; four-pound, hole-less balls; and live pinsetters to reset the pins. For $30 an hour, up to six players can share one lane. For all the hard work, players are invited to send tips down the lanes in tennis balls to the busy pinsetters. Since fun is the major focus, scoring is optional and players don’t need special shoes. The Thirsty Duck opened a year ago. “It’s brand new for all of us, so we’re just kind of learning everything as we go—down to the PVC pin ball returns,” Hoeffler said. The F&B has also evolved. While gourmet sandwiches and entrees were the first choice, finger food seemed to work when concentrating on bowling. It is a trial and error adventure which seems to be doing very well. 12

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TWO SIDES OF PROGRESS Two independent business projects found themselves converging. One side: Azusa, CA, city council has been in the thick of considering options for its downtown area, referred to as Block 36, an area unused for over a decade. The revitalization has been fueled by the completion of a metro-transportation Gold Line and two college campuses that feed into the town. The two plans vying for the space incorporated a mixed-use development with residential and retail space alongside an entertainment anchor. One plan’s anchor was a five-screen theater, owned by Laemmle, a family-run chain of arthouse movie theaters known for screening independent and foreign films. The other anchor was a family entertainment center featuring a 20-lane bowling center and arcade. Parents, educators and local business owners, along with two council members, supported a Laemmle. However, the mayor and two other council members leaned toward the FEC. Robert Gonzales, city councilman, shared, “A bowling concept brings a hub into that one area and would be more beneficial for our residents.” The vote went to the FEC. Now, here’s the other side: Michael Watson, owner of an arcade since the 1980s, had been trying to move his business to Azusa. He has been refurbishing a 100year-old building he hoped to move into. While the council had been leery of the plan, he was sure that if he brought the property up to snuff, they would acquiesce. However, new upgrade conditions, coming in dribs and drabs from the city, kept him from completion. Unbeknownst to Watson, his across-the-street neighbor would eventually be the proposed FEC in Block 36. When negotiations began, the city thought the anchor would be a major grocer, although that changed once the project was presented. Thus two venues find themselves in direct competition.

SHORTS

EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS “Times They Are A-Changin.” See what is happening in these centers across the country.

After 49 years, Don Lebold is ready to turn over the reins of Town & Country Lanes in Keizer, OR. Jayne Sonognini is in the process of transitioning into ownership of the center. Once the switch has been made, renovation will begin.

Glenn Gable, owner of Done Rite Bowling, purchased his first bowling center, along with his father, in 1992. Solon Freeway Lanes in Solon, OH, had 24 lanes and limited food service. While successful, Gable now has plans for a new multimillion-dollar renovation, creating an FEC. Gable, who also owns bowling centers in Parma, Wickliffe, Mentor, Fairfield and Columbus, will also double the size of the Solon game room. With a slated February 2017 reopening, the center will also include an ungraded laser maze, two-story laser tag, ninja warrior course and three party rooms.

Two cinema companies plan expansions with bowling facilities. Continental Cinemas in Troy, AL, will expand with 12 lanes of bowling and a bar and grill area, plus an arcade. The project is expected to take 12 to 18 months. Showplace Cinemas in Newburgh, IN, will expand in order to accommodate 20 lanes of bowling, 60 new arcade machines, and a laser tag arena. The expansion should be done by September 2017 and will create about 100 new jobs.

Fishtown is an up and coming entertainment section of Philadelphia. Adding to the draw is Revolutions, a multi-pronged entertainment concept combining live entertainment, F&B, along with bowling and dancing, located in Penn Treaty Village. The first Revolutions opened in 2013 in Pennsylvania, with other locations in New York, Florida and South Carolina. This new venue has a bi-level, 26-lane boutique bowling area, in addition to 12 private, VIP lanes downstairs with 40-foot screens in front of each lane which can be controlled with an iPhone.

Byllye Lanes in Bradford, PA, has been purchased by Paul Geiger, who also owns Central Lanes in Salamanca, NY. The renovation includes painting and new carpet and has been accomplished by longtime employee Brad Skaggs and his brother, Derrick Skaggs.

Another name change occurred in Plainville, CT. The former Laurel Lanes is now Lessard Lanes. New owner Marcel Lessard, a former pro bowler, has renovated the 28 lanes of bowling and added a new indoor miniature golf course. There are also new masking units and six big-screen TVs added to the lounge area. Upcoming will be a new sign and the completion of the front entrance.

BOWLING BALLS REACH NEW HEIGHTS

Uptown Alley has a new location in Manassas, VA. The $11.5 million, 46,000square-foot entertainment and restaurant venue features 24 bowling lanes, a stage for live entertainment, three high-energy bars, laser tag, interactive games with a prize store, and Red Embers Bar & Grill. This venue is the third venture for Uphoff Ventures and Trifecta Management Group, joining sites in Richmond, VA, and Surprise, AZ. An international location opened in Changzhou, China, in September with locations in Virginia Beach and White Plains, NY, coming in 2017.

Suburban Lanes in Decatur, GA, has a new lease on life. After sixty years in business, it closed in 2015. However, brothers Uri and Ethan Wurtzel purchased the business and have rebranded it as Comet Pub & Lanes. Respecting the historic roots of the space, the remodeled center has 32 bowling lanes, two 40-foot shuffleboard courts, three dart lanes and a large bar.

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Unfortunately, there is no name of the creator to send congratulations. However, this post on Reddit.com is worth a moment’s gaze. The tag said, “Over the past 15 years, my dad collected 1,785 bowling balls and built a giant Bowling Ball Pyramid.” Well, he certainly did!

CENTER STAGE

Maple Hall in downtown Knoxville maintains the intimacy of an old center with all of the modern upgrades. By Evan Henerson

hen seeking out a place to knock down some pins and maybe knock back a few brews, one wouldn’t immediately envision the basement of an historic former J.C. Penny’s building in the heart of downtown Knoxville. But once players enter – actually descend into – the recently opened Maple Hall, they may never imagine bowling anywhere else. Upscale boutique bowling and the spirit of camaraderie make for powerful lures, say the owners.

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CENTER STAGE “Figuring out the name was the hardest part,” said Greg Cox who developed the project with his former University of Tennessee college roommate Kevin Rice. “The word ‘hall’ didn’t sit well with me. It didn’t ring off the tongue. I love it now. Maple Hall is more like a fellowship hall, the kind of place where people come together and hang out and drink.” “There’s a nice square bar for people to sit around,” added Rice. “It doesn’t have the feel of a big sports bar. There aren’t a lot of TVs. We want people to talk to each other instead of being on their phones and isolated.” Although they have lived in separate states since the end of their college days, Cox and Rice have long dreamed of creating a venture together. Fate decreed that venture would be a bowling center few years back, when visiting the Dust Bowl in Tulsa, OK, the friends watched high school kids sharing lanes with young families and couples in their 70s. The communal, universal experience

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struck a chord, and Cox returned to Knoxville to scout potential locations for a similar project. During a research trip to the east coast, the partners scouted models and took inspiration

CENTER STAGE

from the always-hopping, mixed entertainment venue, Brooklyn Bowl. Brooklyn Bowl embraced its music and presented a completely different experience from the 24lane, smoke-filled experiences Cox remembered from his youth growing up in Johnson City. Maple Hall also has a stage for live music. With its 11 lanes, including a private two-lane VIP room, lounge, games and small bites dining, the facility is attracting everything from children celebrating to birthday parties, to pro football players to corporate events. Using Brunswick’s Sync scoring system and GSX Pin Setting system, Maple Hall has been able to implement some unique games like Bowling Horse, a 5-frame Easy Bowling and Creature Feature bowling for kids. “They really hit a home run,” said Derek Ransom, Brunswick area supervisor for the southeast, Capitol Equipment Products. “They couldn’t have picked a better location and a better business model.” Maple Hall’s location – in the heart of a revitalized downtown Knoxville - and presentation are significant parts of the center’s attraction, say the owners. “You can go 100 different ways with the design,” said Cox. “Originally we had thought we would have an industrial restoration hardware look but I think it morphed to kind of mid-century modern. We had these great brick walls that almost look like they’ve been whitewashed over the years and we kind of embraced that. We knew we wanted the maple look wood flooring. With the modern scoring, it feels like we’ve brought 20

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bowling into the 21st century.” Both owners proclaim themselves amateur bowlers, although Cox joined a league a few years ago. Rice lives in Tulsa, and when he drops in on Maple Hall – usually once a month – he finds himself observing his customers at play as much as checking in on the business. “There’s always a lot of high fives and excitement,” Rice said. “I see the excitement of people who haven’t bowled in a while and watch them get excited after getting a strike or helping their team or just improving. It’s a really comfortable space and we hope that people will find that it’s a place where they can come and just hang out.” “Even though they didn’t know anything about

bowling, those two guys had a vision,” added Ransom. “We’re hoping to do more locations with them down the road. They’re great people to work with.” ❖

Evan Henerson is a features and lifestyle journalist who lives in Los Angeles. His work has appeared in TV Guide, American Theatre, Orange Coast and the Los Angeles Daily News where he was a staff writer and critic for nine years.

HIDDEN LANES

Things Old and New in The Upper Hudson River Valley In Ballston Spa, NY, #68 Milton Avenue held a secret for over 100 years. By Anna Littles t’s easy to forget that New York is old; one of the original 13 colonies. To this day, New York state is noted for the beauty of the Catskills, and the towns that dot the banks of the Hudson River. And then there are those quaint little villages like Ballston Spa, a lovely town situated next to Saratoga Springs, an area visited for its natural mineral springs. The effervescent waters from these springs were a popular tonic believed to contain medicinal and curative powers. Those springs made Ballston Spa the go-to place in the 18th and 19th centuries. Fast forward to the present and Saratoga Springs is more known for its upscale equine culture and high rents. However, Ballston Spa fights to maintain its quaint, mom-and-pop store vibe and recently nixed a proposal to build a Walmart. They have one movie theatre, the old town barber shop, and a lot of history. Many of the buildings in the downtown area on Milton Avenue are considered landmarks. And #68 is where

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our story begins. James Hansen, a dentist by trade, and his wife and dental hygienist, Sue Hansen, live and work in Ballston Spa. The couple purchased 68 Milton Avenue. Location-wise, the building was a good fit for James’ dental office. They renovated the downstairs part of the building and established their practice. Eighteen years later, Sue felt it was time to renovate the two upstairs floors into apartments for rental income. But James was not feeling it. The second and third floors had not been touched since the 1940s. Besides being a disaster, those top floors were creepy. Sue, however, was undaunted. She met with contractors Paul and Diane Marotta of PDL Enterprises and a design plan was drafted. Bathrooms located in the kitchen would have to be moved, walls would come down and floors replaced. It was a building that screamed dilapidation, but as Sue eloquently states, “This deep, high, narrow building was history and beauty disguised as decay.” As for crew, it was Paul and Diane, Sue and James. Together, they started cleaning up the place, pulling up old carpets and old linoleum. It did not take long before the building’s history revealed itself. Sue noted that there was something very strange about what they were uncovering. Hidden under decades of old flooring and debris were bowling lanes that were over a century old. This discovery sparked Sue’s curiosity. She started researching the history of 68

HIDDEN LANES Milton Avenue and found herself digging through documents dating back to 1910, introducing her to the infamous Herbert Massey. In the late 1800s, Herbert Massey was a nefarious man known for owning pool halls and running illegal gambling houses. He also owned the Herbert House Hotel, a three-story wooden structure that burned to the ground in 1901. The following year, there was a crackdown on pool halls and gambling houses forcing Massey to go legit. On the same site of his old hotel, Massey built a brick and tin building in 1910. The new structure was known as the H.B. Massey Building in beautiful downtown Ballston Spa. The new building was state of the art with the Massey Café & Bowling. The caption in an old newspaper read “a social club for ladies and gentlemen.” As Sue was restoring the building, she wondered who walked through those doors, and what was their story? Those old bowling lanes can only give us a hint. The early 1900s was the era of World War 1 and Prohibition. Yet here was this trendy social club where both men and single, unchaperoned women were welcomed to socialize and bowl. Very cutting edge for its time. Restoration of 68 Milton Avenue, now known as the H.B. Massey Building, would be done with time, patience and tenacity. Sue works full time, a mom of three and even participates in BvB, Blondes vs Brunettes, an organization that raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association. How she was able to manage renovating this historic property is a mystery itself. She painstakingly removed a century of neglect off of beautiful tiles and bowling lanes by hand and was also able to restore the tin ceilings. Now, totally remodeled, there’s still something going on. While Sue was decorating the place, turning it into a stylish home, she had hung drapes Something strange revealed during the renovation.

in the upstairs living room. Every time she’d adjust the drapes and walk away, the drapes were changed. Sue would adjust them again, walk away, and again the drapes would be repositioned. While looking things over before her new rentals moved in, she heard her name being called, “Sue,” yet there was no one around. What does one do when you hear your name called and no one’s around, or when drapes are tampered with and things go bump in the night? You have a party! Sue had a celebration to thank everyone who lovingly helped restore the old Massey building. We might be the HGTV generation, but if you’ve ever taken on a renovation, you know that it takes an adventurous soul to do so. Clearly, Sue Hansen is that adventurous soul. 68 Milton Avenue, formerly the H.B. Massey Building, will continue to tell its story. The bowling lanes are fully operational and will continue to provide fun, laughter and joy for yet another hundred years. As for those repositioned drapes in the upstairs living room, well, that’s another story. ❖

Anna M. Littles, a screenplay and freelance writer and producer originally from the Bronx, NY, now resides in Santa Monica, CA. You can see her work on YouTube, IMDB, or on her website at www.alittleLA.com.

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October 2016

COVER STORY

By Robert Sax

is a cult TV comedy series that first ran on NBC from 2000 to 2004. The main character, Ed Stevens, is a Wall Street lawyer who retreats to his small Ohio hometown after losing his job and marriage. He decides to stay, buys the town’s rundown bowling center and revives it while also running his new law practice out of it. The series was quaint, quirky and fictional, but Ed did reflect a key aspect of selling a small center. It takes a particular type of person to operate a small center, and, like Ed, they don’t come along every day. If you own a small center and want to sell, how can you find that special buyer? A small center is generally defined as having fewer than 24 lanes and focused on bowling, as opposed to venues like restaurants and nightclubs that have added a few lanes of bowling. Bill Wammes, a small center owner and former chair of the BPAA’s small center affinity group, estimates that there are several thousand such establishments nationwide, making up as much as 50% of BPAA member centers. In addition there

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are many small center owners who do not belong to BPAA, so the total number of small centers is higher. The majority of bowling centers in this country are still owned by individuals or families. Indeed, as a business, bowling is unusually family-oriented; compared to other small businesses, a disproportionate number of bowling centers are passed down from one generation to the next. “It is not unusual to find second, third and even fourth-generation owners actively involved in this business,” says center broker Sandy Hansell. However people who grew up in the business know what a grind it can be, and the lure of easier, better-paying jobs in urban areas is working against the tradition of family succession. “A small center is an awful lot of work. It’s hard on a marriage. It’s hard on a family,” says Ken Paton, a financial adviser and loan broker who has worked with many small center owners. “I’m a little pessimistic that we will have enough second and third generation people that will keep these small centers going.” For those willing to work hard, small centers can be just as

COVER STORY profitable as large ones. For one thing, overhead is usually lower than at a larger center, because the owner does more of the work and has fewer employees. The margins may be smaller, but a small center can provide a great opportunity if it’s the only player in town or has a specialized niche in the market. “Small centers can be equally profitable, but they have completely different economics,” says Ben Jones, the FEC domain expert of Live Oak Bank. “I see lots of neat opportunities for smaller centers,” says Jones. As more owners near the end of their careers, Wammes Sandy Hansell believes retirement will be the primary reason that small center owners will want to sell. After thirty years at Al Mar Lanes in Bowling Green, Ohio, Wammes is approaching retirement and feels lucky to have a successor. “Fortunately, my son-inlaw is currently taking over,” says Wammes. “If I didn’t have somebody taking over, I would be looking to sell for retirement.”

Your Buyer May Already Be in The Building

The good news is that you probably don’t have to look beyond your area, or even your own four walls, to find a qualified buyer. According to a study by market research company IBIS World, the bulk of an average bowling center’s revenue is derived from customers living within 13 miles of it. It’s the same with buyers, says Paton. “Eighty or ninety per cent of the buyers for small centers come from within a half an hour away.” The most likely buyers are your center employees or customers. “I know everybody that bowls [in my center] pretty well,” says Wammes. If he had to sell he could “probably pick out the guys that would financially be able to do it, and the ones that had the personality to do it and the work ethic.” Owners of other local businesses can be good prospects as well. They may want to acquire another source of revenue or be looking for a business for their children to run. Curtis Huenink started bowling as a child in Green Lake, WI, and worked at local s k r Spa Gary

centers as a teenager. After getting a certificate in bowling center management from Vincennes University in Indiana, he returned to Wisconsin and worked as a bowling manager and general manager for several centers around the state. At one point, his college teacher, Gary Sparks, introduced him to Bob Maki, a co-owner with Lloyd McIndoe of Alpine Lanes in Muskego. That led to McIndoe hiring Huenink as a general manager at the twenty-lane center, a position he held for six years. When McIndoe decided it was to time to sell, he Ken P offered the center to aton Huenink. Although he was only 27 years old, Huenink felt ready to run his own place. It didn’t take long to put the deal together, and Huenink took over Alpine Lanes in October 2015. McIndoe is an investor in the center and remains a valued mentor and resource for Huenink. As with Ed, former residents who are returning to the area for personal reasons can also be good prospects. A few years ago Jim Nyhan was running his family’s Forest View Lanes, a 20-lane center in Temperance, MI. But after 20 years in the business and needing more time to take care of ailing family members, Nyhan began thinking about selling. Around the same time Rich Kenny returned to Temperance to care for his ill mother. Kenny oe Lloyd McInd had worked for Nyhan at the center when he was a teenager, and he began hanging out at Forest View Lanes again. One day Nyhan suggested in jest that he buy the place. The idea slowly took hold, and once they became serious about it, they reached a deal in about a year. IBI

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COVER STORY GETTING READY FOR A SALE

Keep your center properly maintained and presentable to entice buyers and their financiers. Ken Paton recalls one deal that was set to go; the seller signed, the buyer signed, the loan was approved. “The bank had to do a site visit. The president of the bank happened to be in town, so he walked in and noticed that one of the glass pieces next to the front door was broken,” says Paton. “He assumed that if the owners hadn’t repaired visible damage, there must be other deficiencies and killed the deal.” “The biggest problem for most [owners] is that they come in the place everyday, they get used to it as it is. It’s so hard for them to step back and see it as a stranger would,” says Paton. “A few thousand dollars of labor and materials to repaint the building can make it look like a new place.” You can ask colleagues or other business owners to give you an opinion on your center’s aesthetics. An alternative is to use the BPAA’s secret shopper program to review your center and even compare it to your closest competitors. You should also make sure your financial books and records are accurate and Ben Jones understandable and have been properly

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maintained from day one. This will enable potential buyers and bankers to obtain an accurate picture of the business operation and its value. You should also have your tax returns prepared and available. While it’s not necessary to use a CPA to prepare your tax returns and income statements, banks and many buyers will likely feel more confident about these documents if an accounting professional prepared them. It’s not always easy for a first-time operator to get bank financing, and it can be hard to find a buyer who can buy the center without help. Often the seller ends up financing some of the deal, carrying the buyer until he can build enough of a business track record to get a bank loan. Ben Jones emphasizes the importance of a seller doing proper due diligence on a buyer. A

COVER STORY qualified buyer is more likely to appeal to a banker, especially one who has run a business through several cycles, even if it wasn’t in the bowling business. Experience in the bowling business is certainly a plus, but Jones says it’s just as important to find someone who is passionate about the business and willing to do the work that running a small center requires. He will frequently ask prospective buyers “Are you willing to work while others play?”

CONTINUITY IS KEY

Getting the word out that your center is for sale can be a delicate business. You want to attract buyers but don’t want to give your regulars or employees a reason to go elsewhere. “I could count on my hand the four or five people who might buy my center,” said Wammes, urging caution. “So if I wanted to do that, I might casually mention it to them. But I definitely wouldn’t advertise it.” Once a sale is pending, it’s wise to reassure your regulars and employees that the center will remain the great Bill Wamm place they have always enjoyed. You es will reduce the risk of losing customers and employees at the time when you can least afford it. If you’re the new owner, get to know the regulars and what they like about the place before you even think of making any changes, cautions Wammes, especially if you aren’t from the community. “Every region has [its] own little idiosyncrasies. If the [new owner] is smart, they come in and try to learn how they did it there and do it that way. But they want to come in and change it their way and it doesn’t work.” Bad feelings on the part of the former owner after the sale can create problems, says Jim Nyhan. He has seen sellers and old employees sabotage the transition by not endorsing the new owner. “Try to stay professional in all situations as you are dealing with the sale of a bowling center,” says Nyhan. “And keep the old owner on for a period of time as an advisor. That could be a key.” Rich Kenny believes it’s important to retain some structure as you transition to the new ownership. “Day one, you think you might understand it all, but over the course of four years, I think everyday somebody comes up to you and you don’t know how to deal with it,” says Kenny. Whether it be a customer situation or a league situation, whether it be a building situation, it makes sense to make sure you have a good transition.” nk In the case of Curtis Huenink and Lloyd Curtis Hueni 34

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McIndoe, their prior relationship and Lloyd’s continuing interest in the business have been invaluable to Curtis. “Lloyd is the kind of guy who’s going to be available for phone calls and questions that I have as long as he’s alive,” says Curtis. “At this point, I talk to him at least twice a week.” Key employees who feel threatened by the sale can also harm the business by leaving and drawing away customers. Offer to try to help them keep their jobs with the new owner or Rich Kenny and Jim Nyhan

give them a good severance package so they will leave on a positive note. It’s possible to find a buyer for a small center, but as with running one, it takes passion, luck and patience. It helps to think ahead, too. When should an owner start looking for a buyer? According to Ken Paton, “the day you buy it,” so keep an eye out for Ed. ❖

Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.

TOURNAMENTS

By Paul Lane

o the beat of thunderous drumming, the Dragon Dance set the stage for the official announcement for the 52nd QubicaAMF 2016 Bowling World Cup, October 14-23. Following the Dragon Dance, the curtains on the darkened stage parted to reveal a Chinese flag in the spotlight, and Pat Ciniello, the chairman of QubicaAMF, introduced Mr. Shunwei Zhu, the proprietor of Hao’s Bowling in Shanghai, China. Mr. Zhu made this short announcement, “Welcome to Shanghai!” and the stage was set for 2016. The excitement has continued throughout the year as men and women bowlers around the world competed in national elimination events, all vying for the honor of representing their country in the world’s most prestigious singles tournament. Eighty-eight countries have committed to sending representatives, including the country of Georgia who is participating for the first time. The record is 95 countries at the tournament’s 40th anniversary event in Singapore in 2004. For more than three decades, the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup has been confirmed as the largest annual sporting event in the world in terms of the number of participating countries. So, what’s in store for competitors, coaches, and the international news media, bowling officials, proprietors and guests? Plenty! Shanghai is a sprawling metropolis on the east coast of China next 36

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to the East China Sea. The city is the most populous in China with more than 24 million people. It’s famous for its skyline, museums, historic buildings, the magnificent Yu Gardens, and the Bund. It’s a showpiece for the booming economy of mainland China. As a transport hub, it’s the world’s busiest container port. Bisected by rivers and canals, including the Yangtze River, the city features a myriad of old and modern Chinese landmarks that make Shanghai a tourist’s dream. One of the world’s busiest shopping streets, Nanjing Road East and West, is a must see. Nanjing Road East is mostly for pedestrians, making it ideal for casual strolling, especially after sunset. A tour operator has been assigned to assist all bowlers and guests in booking inner and outer city tours during their stay in Shanghai. A sightseeing and shopping tour, including a visit to the Portland Riverside and Paddy Fields, is also on the agenda. Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF’s Bowling World Cup manager, commented, “I visited Shanghai and Hao’s Bowling twice this year and was very impressed by everything the city and the bowling facility had to offer. It has been a privilege to work with our World Cup host, Mr. Shunwei Zhu of Hao’s Bowling, on what is promising

TOURNAMENTS to be one of our best tournaments ever. I know every bowler, official and guest will take home very special memories of Shanghai.” The tournament host venue, Hao’s Bowling, is a 4,000-square-meter (43,000 square feet), 24-lane facility on the ground floor of the Shanghai Luwan Sports Complex, located in the Luwan District of Shanghai. The arena in the complex can accommodate 3,500 spectators and features basketball, volleyball, tennis, handball, badminton, table tennis, futsal, (a five-a-side variant of soccer football), weightlifting, martial arts and large-scale theatrical performances. The men’s and women’s stepladder finals will be staged on two lanes in the arena above Hao’s Bowling. In addition to 24 lanes, Hao’s Bowling features China’s first mini-bowling lanes, a full-service pro shop, snooker and darts areas, a dance room, dining room, and a bar. “It’s a facility where young people can play bowling, dance, drink coffee, and get together for dinner and have fun,” said Mr. Zhu, formerly a successful national and international bowler himself. Mr. Zhu added, “[I] developed an elite and professional team to offer the best service to customers, including having the national coach, Zhang Peng, on board to ensure the facility can strike to the root in the hearts of the people.”

The concourse at Hao’s Bowling.

Hao’s, which opened just over a year ago, features the latest equipment from QubicaAMF, including BES X automatic

Mr. Shunwei Zhu, proprietor of Hao’s Bowling.

scoring and Conqueror Management System. David Chiang, owner of Lane Turn Bowling Supplies, QubicaAMF’s distributor in China, describes it as, “the industry’s most powerful weapon for bowling center marketing and promotion.” The QubicaAMF team that directs the tournament will once again include Bernard Gibbons, tournament director; Cliff Adair, assistant director; Julie 38

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TOURNAMENTS also visit Facebook (@BowlingWorldCup), and Twitter (#52BWC) for regular updates. Bowlers, coaches, officials, journalists and guests will all be housed at the fivestar luxury Shanghai Hua Ting Hotel and Towers, which will also be the venue for the Grand Opening Ceremony and Victory Banquet. The opening ceremony is certain to be colorful and entertaining, with the Parade of Nations, speeches by local dignitaries, dancers wearing traditional Chinese dress, and traditional local music. Mr. Zhu has assigned a professional event management organization to orchestrate and stage manage the entire affair. The success of every QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup tournament has been driven by national pride of the local hosts, Shanghai’s world famous Yuyuan Gardens.

Howlett in the press office; Laurie Pearce covering scoring and results; Gerry Barrett overseeing lane conditions; Hero Noda as the official photographer; and Tina Quirke as Ms. Board’s assistant. Dominic Gall of Talktenpin.net is the newest permanent member of the team, having managed the social media for last year’s tournament in Las Vegas. And finally, last but not least, veteran French journalist Bernard Mora will be making his 42nd appearance at the tournament. Additional support for the tournament will be provided by the CBA (Chinese Bowling Association) and the employees at Hao’s Bowling. Alisports will be live streaming the tournament throughout China by satellite. Fans around the world can follow live scoring by logging onto quibicaamf.com. Fans can

MESSAGE FROM JUAN CABEZAS I am very delighted to bring the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup back to China after 25 years. As part of our commitment to promoting the sport worldwide, we have been working closely with the Chinese Bowling Association in developing bowling throughout China with a series of management training and technical seminars, as well as sponsoring the China National Championships over the next 3 years, which will be played exclusively using AMFlite II pins. These are very exciting times for bowling in China, and we are happy to be partnering with the CBA and Hao’s Bowling to help cultivate the sport and deliver what promises to be an unforgettable Bowling World Cup in Shanghai. - Juan Cabezas, President QubicaAMF 40

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The City of God Temple.

tourist boards, various government departments, sponsors, bowlers associations, and local bowlers, who volunteer to assist in any way possible. Under Mr. Zhu’s leadership, great memories look to be guaranteed. ❖

Paul Lane is former Director of Marketing and Marketing Services for AMF Bowling, Inc. He has been the director of 18 AMF World Cups, an officer in national and international trade associations, and a pro bowler during a career that spans more than 60 countries and 50 years.

PROFILE

Boston Bowl was an Architectural Concepts project.

After a career spent building FECs, Kevin Mills is having some fun for himself. By Kevin Mills with Paul Lane n the early 1980s, when architects across the U.S.A. started designing bowling centers that would eventually change the image of the entire industry, one stood out as an industry pioneer and leader. His name: Kevin P. Mills. And, the company he founded was Architectural Concepts. Kevin’s business provided architectural services to more centers than most other firms combined and won many awards in the process. After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Architecture in 1979, Kevin relocated to Denver where opportunities were plentiful, and he founded Architectural Concepts in the early 1980s. He got his big break when an old client decided to build a new bowling center. Kevin became intrigued with the project type. The complexity of design, with the required knowledge of food and beverage operations, arcades, retail space and the bowling operations fascinated him. “I saw the facility as a small city,” says Kevin, “bowling on one side of the street and numerous ancillary functions on the other.”

IBI October 2016

Kevin celebrating his 60th birthday in Napa Valley, CA.

Kevin was convinced that bowling alleys were going extinct but FECs were the future and the solution for industry problems. “We are very proud to have had the foresight to see the future trends of an industry needing a change, and to have been an important contributor to improving the image of bowling through our design work,” Kevin proudly says. As Kevin’s work became more and more focused on

PROFILE

Wedding day for Rebekah Whitfield and Kevin.

the family entertainment business, he noticed that proprietors knew they needed to change, but they didn’t know which direction to go. In response to this, Architectural Concepts developed a new service called The Master Plan, which helped a proprietor determine a number of conceptual options for space utilization, construction cost estimates, and income producing ideas to determine the best use of a facility. This service became the most important step in a very complex process of remodeling a center or developing a new one. In the 1990s and 2000s, large FECs and BECs became a major part of Architectural Concepts’ work. During this time, they did a significant amount of international work in China, Lebanon, Turkey, Dubai (UAE), Egypt, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, Germany, Japan, Guam and Korea. Domestically, some of Kevin’s most impressive projects included the Ross Cottom Family Entertainment Center in Harrisburg, IL; the Franklin Entertainment Center in Franklin, TN; Boston Bowl; and the Celebrity Entertainment Complex in Denver, CO. Based on its success in the commercial market, Architectural Concepts became the specialized design consultant for military bowling centers, developing the design guidelines, new standards for remodeling and expansion of existing centers, and new centers, drawn up and implemented by Kevin and his firm. From the left: Kevin’s sister Sheila Brehob with husband Tom Brehob, Kevin, and brother Darryl Mills with wife Susan.

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PROFILE

The Architectural Concepts-designed ice themed VIP suite at Celebrity Lanes.

In January 2012 Kevin had a life-changing skiing accident. He was skiing the back bowls at Vail when he had a very bizarre accident: he went over the top of his skis and ran his head into a mogul. He fractured his spine at C-1, along with Kevin out and about, enjoying his retirement.

a traumatic brain injury, and, to top it off, later that night, Kevin had respiratory failure. He spent two months in intensive care at Denver Health Hospital recovering from his injuries and then the following two months in the world famous Craig Hospital in the Spine and Brain Injury unit where Kevin learned to walk and talk again. Retirement came up sooner than expected, and Kevin had to close Architectural Concepts. However, one might say that retirement is as busy as architecture. Now, Kevin’s life revolves around his marriage to Rebekah and their shared passion for golfing, skiing, traveling and fine wine and food. During their eleven years of marriage, they have enjoyed traveling all over the world. They have played golf in such far-away places as Mexico, Hawaii, Japan and St. Andrews in Scotland. Golf anytime, anywhere - but only in good weather. Kevin’s latest passion is abstract acrylic painting. He never painted before his accident, but now it’s something he loves to do daily. He strives to create an emotion through the use of color, texture and compositions with movement. Since retiring as an architect, painting still allows Kevin to express his creativity. Kevin Mills has had quite a career and now is having quite a retirement. He is deeply grateful to all for the support that the industry has provided him over the years and the many fine people in the industry that he considers friends. ❖

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SHOWCASE TOUCH SCREEN CONSOLE

VIRTUAL MOBILE PUNCH CARD

Steltronic introduces its latest touch screen console, a stylish replacement for existing keypad consoles. This model uses a commercial grade 19-inch touch screen for easier use and visibility. This industrial strength hardware will hold up to public use and have fewer problems. The console features all the basic needs for interaction with the scoring system, plus built-in Facebook posting gives your center the advertising it deserves. “We are YOUR bowling center management specialists.” For more information, call (800) 942-5939 or email info@steltronicscoring.com.

Get rid of that old punch card with the hi-tech, cutting edge Mobile Bowling Rewards service from eBowl.biz, the industry leader in digital marketing. This is the affordable solution to tracking and rewarding customer visits. The virtual punch card includes rewards, push notifications, customer analytics, and more. Your customers will love it, and you will love the repeat business!

MARKETING MANAGER

Increase your center’s revenue with Brunswick’s Sync Campaign Manager. There is no easier or more effective way to plan, coordinate, and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns. The Campaign Manager lets you design, schedule and distribute targeted marketing messages to segmented audiences through a variety of marketing channels, and analyze the success of each campaign. Also, it is easily integrated with automated email services such as MailChimp and Constant Contact. Campaign Manager helps you reach customers in-house, as well, with Digital Signage that lets you display ads and live scoring on monitors throughout your center. Visit www.brunswickbowling.com.

Just $99 set-up and $49/mo. Details at www.MobileBowlingRewards.com or call (541) 549-0999.

LAI GAMES LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

LAI Games, a subsidiary of Helix Leisure and a leader in the interactive entertainment and game industry for over 50 years, has recently launched its new website. Built with operators in mind, it delivers clear, high quality images and videos, easy navigation, valuable product information and support. Allison Timberlake, marketing manager, pointed out that customer feedback was of utmost importance. The games are sorted by type and all information is clearly laid out for both mobile and desktop users, including new product videos, comparable feature icons, and easy ways to contact LAI. For more information, visit www.laigames.com.

ANIMATION AND BEYOND

QubicaAMF’s BES X YouToons environment, which embeds bowlers’ pictures in the scoring animations, is bigger, better and even funnier with its collection of kid and family focused animation sets. Simple to use, you chose the category to offer up the perfect set of animations for the perfect bowling experience. It is an experience one can’t get anywhere else. To proprietors: change the experience and grow your business and revenue with BES X. For more information, go to www.quibicaamf.com/ExperienceBESX. 48

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PINK GLOW SOCKS

Expert Hosiery/Funtime Footwear supports October Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Pink Glow Socks. These bright, fun socks are sold by the dozen, one dozen minimum order for Pink only. Crew and knee high socks available in sizes 6-8 and 9-11. Funtime Footwear is THE athletic footwear supplier for bowling, skating and FECs. Expert Hosiery, Your Better Source for Socks. For more information, call (919) 799-7707; or go to www.funtimefootwear.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

MARKETING ASSOCIATE NEEDED Are you a creative marketing associate, skilled at assessing bowling and family entertainment center operations and marketing to determine where there are opportunities to grow the business and increase revenue? QubicaAMF, a leader in the recreation and entertainment business for over 50 years, is seeking a Virtual Marketing Associate to work with our customers to identify opportunities for growth and develop an action plan to deliver on those opportunities. We are seeking a self-motivated professional with polished communication skills, who pays attention to details, is a great listener and is able to empathize with customers. The ideal candidate will have practical marketing planning and strategy experience, a deep understanding of bowling center operations and be customer service focused. Experience working with Conqueror Pro in an operating environment and working with CorelDraw is highly preferred. Additionally, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, general cloud knowledge and calendar and data management is required. This position will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments, developing action plans, coaching clients to execute the action plan and providing successful and proven solutions to challenges. We offer a competitive compensation package which includes medical and a 401K plan.

Could this be the ideal position for you? Want to learn more? If you have the desire to work for the market leader in the industry, please send your resume along with a cover letter detailing your experience to Rosa Katz at rkatz@qubicaamf.us.

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CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE REMOVING 26 LANES for remodeling— Everything Works: Brunswick Scoring; (79) Scanners & Scanner Tester; AS 80 Color Overheads; 25’ Zenith Overheads; Back ‘n White Lowers; 901 Software; Purrfect Desk; Brother Laser Print w/ Thermal Receipt printer; Zot ET 2001 Electronic Triggering; DTS Register Program Loader. Total package or parts available. Contact Rob (908) 763-1192. Complete 16-lane Brunswick GSX system (2001-2002); light use for 5 years; professionally un-installed & stored in dry storage since 2008. Full package including pinsetters, ball returns, synthetic lanes, under-flooring, electronics, balls, shoes, extensive spare parts, etc. Located in Colorado. $10K/Lane OBO. Contact Bob @ rkorzekwa@msn.com. FOR SALE: Steltronic automatic scoring, WINS system, 36 lanes, bumper compatible; can separate, like new. 16-lane HPL foul line forward. 2-lane Anvil synthetics, foul line forward. Hood&Rack conversions w/ power lift. Media mask. A2s & parts. Installations & complete installs. Knotritellc@gmail.com.

WWW.TEXTBOWLING.COM

For Sale: Complete AMF AccuScore Plus scoring system with monitors & 40 Frame Game for 12-lane center. $15,000 OBO. Must pick up. Call Ryan (574) 583-7358. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.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.

SERVICES AVAILABLE AMF 5850 & 6525 CHASSIS. Exchange your tired or damaged chassis for an upgraded, rewired, cleaned, painted and ready-to-run chassis. Fast turnaround. Lifetime guarantee. References available. [Lazy mechanics & clueless owners, please call someone else.] CHASSIS DOCTOR (330) 314-8951. Bowlingtrader.com is YOUR FREE bowling buy and sell site. Sponsored by Redline Foul Lights. Tel: 1 (888) 569-7845. 50

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

LOCKER KEYS FAST! All Keys done by code # Locks and Master Keys E-mail: huff@inreach.com TOLL FREE

1-800-700-4539

PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70 S.S. & M.P. MACHINES Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. Board Exchange & Repair! A reasonable alternative for Chassis and P.C. Board Exchanges MIKE BARRETT Call for Price List

Tel: (714) 871-7843 â&#x20AC;¢ Fax: (714) 522-0576 IBI

October 2016

CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.

APPRAISALS APPRAISALS: LARRY DOBBS MAI, ASA. (214) 674-8187. Bowlingvaluations@yahoo.com.

CENTERS FOR SALE EDUCATION & TRAINING PRO SHOP TRAINING. Classes always forming. Jayhawk Bowling Supply (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.

MANAGEMENT OPENINGS CENTER MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY: Are you an assistant manager or manager looking for an opportunity to grow professionally, as well as financially? Do you have the motivation, drive and energy needed to grow our centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business? If so, you will want to contact us today. We are a Kansas City, MO, area bowling center seeking a candidate who is eager to help our business grow. We offer salary plus vacation. To apply, please email your resume and salary history to 32lanebowlingcenter@comcast.net.

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October 2016

NORTHERN GULF COAST: 24-lane, split 16/8, FEC. Built in 2006. 2.5 acres and 28,000 s/f building. Brunswick GSX, well maintained. New Brunswick scoring system and Aloha cash register systems in 2014. Fully enclosed bar/restaurant, full kitchen, walk-in freezer/cooler and pizza oven. Kegel lane machine and new ball drilling equipment. Call Pete, (228) 348-6921 or email: prburns11@cableone.net. NEW YORK: Foothills of the Adirondacks: Multi-Channel Income Streams defines this opportunity! Thriving diner, tavern & recreation center, including bowling, sand volleyball and card leagues awaits. This turn key business is located on the main thoroughfare just minutes to Utica Nano, SUNY Polytech, Rome & Utica metro areas. On the snowmobile trail as well! John (315) 534-1925.

CENTERS FOR SALE CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane Brunswick center with Anvil lanes, 50-seat restaurant with Drive-Thru Window. All new appliances. Only bowling center within 60 miles. Call (775) 720-2726.

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

SEL L

BUY

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

www.tuckerbowling.com

Felix Erickson Co., Inc. Strike Zone © Family of Lane Products Strike Zone© Next Generation LC 5 gal case $105 Envi-Cide II Disinfectant Shoe sparay 12/15 oz $87.95 Solve-It © Orange Foam Cleaner 12/18 oz $69.95 FESI Solve-IT © Ball Wheel Liner 22’ $90 NEW RM 107 Rubber/Cork Wheel Liner $29.95/Roll 000-024-604 Gray Ball Lift Belt $195 ea. Exclusive Phenolic Kickback Plates Front F128D 16” x 33” $88 ea. Rear F129 19” x 23 3/4” $88 ea. F132T 15" x 50" $130 ea. All plates include screws and instructions 800-445-1090 (F) 609-267-4669 festrikezone.com Resurfacing - Repairs - Supplies - Synthetics IBI

October 2016

REMEMBER WHEN

1962

e haven’t had a good cigarette ad in “Remember When” since October, 2012, with a “Winston tastes good…” 1965 ad. Lots of beer and booze but smoking ads have been in the not-so PC corner. Smoking and bowling always went together…until they didn’t. What better way to squink yourself to a strike than with a dual filter Tareyton? 1962 and our nice-looking bowler, one of 4,275,000 ABC members, is making the most of his night out at one of 11,476 certified centers. I bet he drove up in a silver Corvette. During that year, we lost Marilyn Monroe and gained Tom Cruise. We were occupied by the Cuban missile crisis and enthralled with Sean Connery as 007 in Dr. No. Well, women were. The Day of the Triffids, you will have to research on your own. Most importantly, do you still have your Match Box car collection? ❖ - Patty Heath

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October 2016