THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
CONTENTS
VOL 23.9
6 ISSUE AT HAND
23 BUSINESS
Living Legacy
The Learning Curve It’s steep when you are coming into bowling from the movies.
By Scott Frager
By Fred Groh
8 SHORTS • 25 Years of Stars & Strikes • FEC Success Seminar focuses on trends. • Bowling and football morph—Fowling. • Kurt Harz and Live Oak Bank pair up.
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28 COVER STORY Bowling History Meets Cutting Edge At Headpinz Fort Myers The Ciniellos showcase their passion for bowling history. By Jim Goodwin
38 OPERATIONS A Wage Reset?
15 TRADE SHOW
A real conversation about the pros and cons of raising the minimum wage.
East Coast Bowling Centers Convention
By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson
Facing The Future Together
46 TOURNAMENT
By Anna M. Littles 23
16 FEATURE
The New Global Bowling Olympic Effort Japan’s Round1 Corporation makes an investment to bring bowling to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
An Inclusion Revolution Special Olympians spread joy on the bowling lanes of Los Angeles.
By Jim Goodwin
By Robert Sax
56 REMEMBER WHEN Arrow Brand Shirts 1958
20 PROFILE
By Patty Heath
Paying It Forward Steve Kloempken establishes Wichita State scholarship.
49 Showcase 50 Datebook
By Mark Miller
51 Classifieds 28
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frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER David Garber garber@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
CONTRIBUTORS David Garber Jim Goodwin Fred Groh Patty Heath Pamela Kleibrink Thompson Anna Littles Mark Miller Robert Sax
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Fred Groh fredgroh@bowlingindustry.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks
By Patty Heath
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager
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: 888-424-2695 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
Living Legacy I was trying to think of an appropriate word or phrase to describe the process where a trade and skills are passed down from person to person and generation to generation. A word to describe the trajectory point where the past meets with legacy. It’s abundantly clear that in bowling, we’re constantly learning from others in our business. And, if we are among the most fortunate, we are learning much more than the mechanics of running a successful bowling center. Take a moment to reflect on the one person in business who has made the biggest difference in your life. Think of the lessons they taught. I’m willing to bet that those special souls, whose enculturation mattered the most, taught you more about the lessons of life than the business of bowling. My special soul has been, Bill Mossontte. A Southern California proprietor of 41 years with five centers in his portfolio. A man who was always there for me. Always available with a story, an open mind to bounce off an idea, willing to assist solving the crisis de jour, Bill was always there at the other end of the line to help me grow professionally. Of all the life and business lessons I’ve learned from Bill, none is more precious or meaningful to me than the lesson he has recently taught about dying. Bill called me a few weeks ago to share that he was diagnosed with stage IV cancer and that the prognosis was that there would only be a few more months left of his life.
He tried to fight the cancer but ultimately made the decision that his quality of life was more important than the length. He wasn’t angry. He didn’t curse the universe, and he didn’t regret all of the things that he didn’t do, but wanted to do. Bill took time to take stock in his life. He made plans for the inevitable, and he made it a point to share how proud he was and how much he loved his family, his friends and his 70 years of life. His gratefulness, love and passion for the bowling business were truly spiritual. I had a chance to visit Bill at his home where we had our opportunity to share how much we really care about each other and the love that comes from the special kinship we enjoyed. With Larry Linder, another close friend at his side, the three of us told stories, shed a few tears and said our goodbyes. Larry and I were there to comfort Bill and his wife Yvette. But, what was so apparently clear was that even in his weakened state, Bill was comforting us and continuing to teach us through his unbelievable strength and fortitude. Bill’s lessons in life, and death, will always stay with me. I will do my best to carry on his enculturation. In that way, Bill will always be remembered.
A TEACHER AFFECTS ETERNITY; HE CAN NEVER TELL WHERE HIS INFLUENCE STOPS.
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
4THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com September is back to school time. IBI invites readers to an ‘open house’ to get reacquainted with all the areas of interest and information available to members of IBI Online. Videos, 243 to be exact, encompass instruction, memories and just plain fun. Close to 3000 photos show vendor information and center environments that will inspire. If you missed an article or misplaced an issue, over a year’s worth of issues are available with just a click. Catalogs, blogs, events and forum topics round out the virtual classrooms. Visit them all; over 2400 members have! It’s free to visit. Become a member today at www.bowlingindustry.com.
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GOODWILL CENTRAL
SHORTS Even though the dog days of summer are behind us, the list of charitable events at centers across the country continues. Homeless pets were shown some love at the Strikes for Strays bowling fundraiser held at AMF Empire Lanes in Webster, NY. All proceeds from the event will go to the care of homeless pets at the Pet Adoption Network. Tucson residents were challenged to go bowling and help Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) support homeless youth. Raising the Roof for YOTO (Youth on Their Own) held its 12th annual charity bowling tournament at Golden Pin Lanes. In the 20142015 school year, YOTO served almost 1,500 children in grades six through 12, offering emotional support and assistance with housing, plus monthly stipends to encourage good grades and regular school attendance. While rain is good, too much rain in Columbus, OH, resulted in a shortfall for the Actors’ Theatre of Columbus summer play budget. To offset this, the acting troupe held
a 50s ‘Rock & Bowl’ with poodle skirts, chinos, saddle shoes and the Twist at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. There was even a hula hoop contest. George Springer, the Houston Astro’s right fielder, hosted the launch of his George Springer Kids Fund to raise funds for the Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY). The event was held at Lucky Strike in Houston, TX. As one of approximately 70 million people who stutter, Springer stands out as a role model for those afflicted, showing first-hand the lesson of refusing to let stuttering inhibit one’s life. American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK), Dallas, TX, chapter, held its Bowling for Rhinos at Alley Cats Family Entertainment Center in Arlington. This has been a 25-year, nationwide fundraiser, and Dallas AAZK is the #3 all-time fundraising chapter, with over $200,000 raised. What is your center doing? Email Patty Heath at heath@bowlingindustry.com.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF BOWLING NEWS For 25 years, C.J. and Jim Goodwin have been the power behind the monthly bowling publication Stars & Strikes of Rockwall, TX. The monthly publication follows PBA bowling results; tournaments, both local and national; and highlights on competing bowlers and teams. The segment, ‘Bowl-o-Pinion,’ scribed by Jim, is not shy in putting forth thoughts on all sorts of bowling news. When pushed to pick a memorable moment, Jim ran through major tournaments, conventions and interviews with hall of famers. However, one meeting stood out—Herb Kelleher, chairman and founder of Southwest Airlines. “That meeting led to a long story about how Kelleher’s business secrets and philosophy could help proprietors improve their centers,” he said. A fundraiser for the charity, Angel Flight, a medical flight group, was created, and Kelleher brought a group of Southwest employees to a Dallas center for an afternoon of fun and bowling, led by bowling coach Beth Owen (Cipielewski). A video produced by Southwest Airlines for Angel Flight was spun 8
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off into a segment for the TV show Wings which, in one segment, had the small TV airline competing with Southwest to raise funds. Earl Anthony was part of the storyline, and Beth got a brief moment of fame as the coach of the show’s team--no dialogue but definitely seen. As one publication to another, IBI sends congratulations on 25 years and counting.
SHORTS
FEC Success Seminar Amusement Products, Chattanooga, TN, will host its FEC Success Seminar, September 22-23, for those looking to open a new Family Entertainment Center or for proprietors wanting to bring their centers up-todate, thus enhancing revenue streams. The goal is to teach good business decisions while learning from experts. Over ten different FEC experts have been assembled to cover such topics as attraction design, mix and space requirements, along with feasibility studies and basic park plan ideas. There will be seminars on finding funding, writing business plans and operations hiring and training. No business basic will be overlooked. Trends is another important aspect to the FEC success story. Experts in all areas will share how to discern what is hot and what is not, helping avoid costly mistakes. Besides presentations by all the experts, there will be a hands-on portion, allowing participants to experience the excitement.
SAVE DATE -THE-
REGIONAL TRADE CONVENTIONS
NOT TO MISS
OCTOBER IS THE MONTH! 5–7 EAST COAST BOWLING CENTERS CONVENTION Golden Nugget, Atlantic City
18-20 WEST COAST BOWLING CONVENTION Silver Legacy, Reno
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NW JOINT VENTURE Oregon and Washington BPAs joined forces after a 20-year hiatus for the NW Bowling Proprietors Convention Exhibit. It also capped the finale of the 50th anniversary year for the Washington State BPA (WSBPA). Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA, hosted 82 delegates which included bowling center owners, managers, exhibitors and speakers. The event was produced by executive directors Tawnya Zwicker of Oregon BPA and Greg Olsen of WSBPA. The principle sponsors were Brunswick, QubicaAMF, Storm Products, Western Proprietors Insurance Company, Classic Products and the Ten Pin Brewing Company. Key presenters counted 11 and included Carey Tosello, eBowl.biz; Bruce Davis, BBBI; Nancy Schenk, BPAA; and proprietors John Sommer, Don Carter Lanes, IL, and Melissa Morrow, Buffaloe Lanes, NC.
Every good event needs a group picture!
FOWLING, ANYONE? The world would definitely be a boring place without the likes of Chris Hutt of Hamtramck, MI. In 2001, while tailgating at the Indy 500, Hutt and his friends came up with a game to pass the time. Combining football and bowling, fowling was born. The object of the game is for players or teams to try to knock down all 10 of their opponents’ bowling Photo credit: Ryan Garza, pins. The first to do this wins. While appearing pretty Detroit Free Press basic, there have been only 29 strikes thrown in over 100,000 games. One more game goal—to perfect the “bonk.” A bonk occurs when a player knocks down only the middle pin on the first toss. It results in an automatic victory. After more than ten years, Hutt is convinced that fowling has a future. He has opened a 34,000-square-foot warehouse, complete with 20 lanes, a full bar, big-screen TVs and a small stage for bands. He quit his longtime job as a commercial brick dealer. “This is a big leap,” Hutt shared with John Managhen, Detroit Free Press. “I’ve signed a five-year lease with no investor, no business plan, but the confidence that every single time a person tries fowling for the first time, they say they can’t wait to do it again.” Check out the video at www.bowlingindustry.com.
SHORTS
Media
WATCH
AVENGERS’ SECRET BOWLER What we don’t know about Jeremy Renner, one of the screen’s Avengers, is that bowling is in his blood. The actor’s father ran a ten-pin center in Modesto, CA, when he was a child. The young Renner became a semi-pro after summers spent bowling. “I started bowling when I was three, and I had a 225 average at the age of 12,” he said. He toured a lot as a semi-pro and, out of 500 competitors, he would take 17th place. “I was very competitive,” he shared. However, this is where he took a detour. According to a Playboy article, he stopped playing when it no longer was fun. “In bowling,” he was quoted, “you have to beat your own score … if I didn’t get 225 or break 200, I couldn’t deal with it.” Bowling’s loss but the movie-going public’s gain.
PEOPLEWATCHING Well, it didn’t take Kurt Harz long to land on his feet after retiring from Brunswick Bowling & Billiards after 39 years. Live Oak Bank announced a consulting partnership with Harz as a referral source and advisor to the Entertainment Center segment. Harz’s strategic alliance partnerships throughout Kurt Harz the industry and Live Oak’s bowling center and BEC lending expertise lend themselves to a mutually beneficial pairing. “I am delighted to join Live Oak Bank,” stated Harz. “I have come to know the team at [Live Oak], watched their interest in the bowling industry and their desire to create a lending environment based upon partnerships. They are truly vested in the industry and it represents tremendous opportunities for the bowling community.” On the other side, Ben Jones, entertainment center domain specialist at Live Oak, said, “We are excited to have Kurt’s broad bowling industry knowledge across all platforms and facility types to enhance our lending programs at Live Oak.” Kay Anderson, director of emerging markets, shared that together they will be better able to help both the bank and prospective borrowers to identify needs and thus, success. 12
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ß BITS & PIECES ß ß ß Kegel Partners with AG Bowling Products Kegel has partnered with Andres Gomez to add AG Bowling Products as a new Kegel distributor. In business since 2006, AG will offer distribution of Kegel products in Mexico and South America.
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßß Turkmenistan Stadium is Brunswick Bound
Brunswick Bowling announced it will “supply and install all of the bowling equipment for the 32-lane National Bowling Stadium of Turkmenistan, currently under construction in the capital city of Ashgabat. The stadium is slated to be one of the 12 world-class competition venues that will comprise the Ashgabat Olympic complex—the host site for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG). The 2017 edition of these games is scheduled to pit 62 competing nations (the most ever) in 19 sports, ranging from tennis to cycling, bowling to jujitsu, and kickboxing to basketball.”
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßß India’s Latest Bowling Center
Guntur in the eastern, coastal state of Andhar Pradesh, India, has its first bowling center. Splitz & Strikezz is a stateof-the-art, 4000-square-foot, air-conditioned gaming zone with four lanes of bowling, a gaming arcade and a food court.
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßß Small Business versus Big Business
Big-chain FECs and BECs are not the be-all and end-all for everyone in New Jersey. Jon R. Perper, owner/operator of Playdrome Cherry Hill, in an open letter printed in the Courier Post Online, has taken a stand for the state’s smaller, familyowned businesses. Bill A4143, which is known as the “Dave & Buster’s Bill,” passed the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, and will allow holders of “certain alcoholic beverage licenses to be issued arcade licenses.” Lobbyists for the Texas-based company, Dave & Busters, have supported it. However, Perper feels this opens the way for huge companies to open in New Jersey, thus threatening locally owned bowling and entertainment centers that have been struggling to revamp.
TRADE SHOW Come and face the future at the East Coast Bowling Centers Convention in Atlantic City, NJ, OCTOBER 5-7
FACING THE
FUTURE TOGETHER
Location: The Golden Nugget Resort and Casino, Atlantic City, NJ Hotel Reservations: $99 per day+ $5 tourism fee and applicable taxes per day (single/double); based on availability. Rates valid until 5 p.m. (EDT) on September 19, 2015. How Much: $150 for full registration, with a $25 off VIP coupon Includes all education, trade show, food and social/networking functions. One day only trade show registration is $65.
By Anna M. Littles
T
he 2015 East Coast Bowling Centers Convention (ECBCC) is the industry’s largest annual, regional convention and trade show. ECBCC’s theme for this year is ‘Facing the Future Together’ and it will host a number of interactive seminars and howto workshops that help proprietors improve their businesses. The sessions serve to educate and expose proprietors to the latest trends, marketing ideas, profit center opportunities and new information about the industry, helping them to promote bowling in their communities. ECBCC is proud to announce that Brunswick and QubicaAMF are both participating in the Great Golden Giveaway. Random drawings will be held and six lucky attendees will have the opportunity to win two-each $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 vouchers. Jack Moran, chairman of the East Coast Bowling Centers Convention explains, “The idea of doing these drawings is to get more winners and create more value for proprietors attending the ECBCC.” You must be there to win! Proprietors face challenges every day. Attending ECBCC, networking, sharing and learning help proprietors face those challenges and grow the future. ❖
VIP COUPONS EXPIRE September 18, 2015 and are available from ECBCC exhibiting companies (listed on eastcoastbowl.com). What: • Excellent line-up of educational programs covering topics such as: social media and technology; food and beverage operations; preparing for the bank loan process; an underwriters perspective on your business; pattern development for today’s game; maximizing your beer profits; and many other industry-specific topics. • Networking welcome reception where you can mingle with new colleagues or meet up with well-known friends in the industry! • TWO outstanding keynote sessions sponsored by Brunswick and QubicaAMF: 4 Vicki Sanderson – If We’re Going to Win this Race, We Need to Run in the Same Direction! 4 Michael Saltsman- Fighting Back Against the Fight for $15 • An innovative trade show with the latest and greatest in new products for your center. Plenty of activities, food and cash prizes on the floor.
Vicki Sanderson
• A unique entertainment experience provided by John Di Domenico Back again is the BPAA Bowling University’s School for Bowling Center Management When: October 4-7 How Much: $399 for BPAA members, $699 for nonmembers. This is a special package price that includes the management school and ECBCC registration, tradeshow, food and social events.
Michael Saltsman
For more information and to register online visit: www.eastcoastbowl.com or call (817) 385-8451. “Like” ECBCC’s Facebook page and stay up to date on the latest events and happenings in the bowling industry. IBI
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FEATURE The World Games opening ceremony in Los Angeles in July.
AN INCLUSION REVOLUTION
Special Olympians spread joy on the lanes of Los Angeles. By Robert Sax
T
his past July, 7,000 athletes from 177 countries gathered in Los Angeles for the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games. It is the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, which promotes equality, acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). It was the largest sporting event hosted by Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The World Games are watched on television by millions of viewers across six continents, while more than 500,000 spectators including world leaders and dignitaries typically attend the event. Bowling was one of the featured sports, and the World Games provided a great opportunity for the bowling industry to participate on this grand world stage.
director of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce. Just a few miles away from Pinz, Winnetka Bowl hosted a party for the Venezuelan team.
LOCALS HELP THE GAMES BEGIN The Los Angeles bowling community opened its lanes and its hearts to the Special Olympians. For three days preceding the opening ceremony, the national teams were the guests of “host towns” around Los Angeles. Local business and community groups provided the visitors with a schedule of fun cultural and sports activities designed to entertain and provide opportunities to build friendships. Bowling centers played a key role for several host towns. On May 31, Corbin Bowl hosted a fundraiser that collected $10,000 for the Tarzana/Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce, which was the host town for the Greek team. Studio City’s Pinz hosted a party on July 22 for the teams from Cuba and the Czech Republic. ““Pinz was probably one of the first things I thought of when we thought of ‘what are we going to do with the delegates?’” said Esther Walker, executive 16
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Gary Montgomery, the heart and soul of the bowling competition.
FEATURE who went on to earn a bronze medal in singles competition and a silver medal in team bowling. Valencia Bowl in Newhall was another local center that got involved. “We had two bowlers that came from the Newhall area,” says Montgomery. “Valencia Lanes let them come in and practice for free.”
RESERVING THE LANES AT LUCKY STRIKE Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles hosted the bowling competition. It was a big undertaking that required Lucky Strike to close for other business for almost two weeks. During that time the venue was reconfigured from a hip 18-lane bar, dining and bowling space to a 14-lane competition venue with spectator seating. Special Olympics chairman of the board (and son of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver)Tim Shriver celebrates the opening of the World Games. “At Lucky Strike all the lighting has to be removed. All brand new lighting has to be brought in. All the couches, all the seating has to be removed. Bleachers are being brought in,” said Montgomery prior to the Local talent was also at the heart of competition. “This is like tearing the whole place apart and redoing it.” the games, with Gary Montgomery The Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board first approached Lucky Strike five serving as bowling competition manager. years ago. “At first [the Special Olympics] wanted a ‘more traditional’ bowling alley, Montgomery is the former manager of but once they saw us, we sold them on the [Lucky Strike] experience,” said Bobby Corbin Bowl and a Junior Olympic Brayboy, manager of the center. “They liked the fact that we’ve had years upon years bowling coach who has long been of events experience, and we could pull something like that off.” The bowling involved with leagues for bowlers with ID. center’s proximity to other events at the Los Angeles Convention Center was a plus. Montgomery has run the bowling Brayboy and his staff had hosted NBA star Chris Paul’s PBA All-Star tournaments program for 24 years at New Horizons, and ESPN’s ESPY Awards parties, so they were accustomed to handling high-profile a local organization for adults with ID. He events. That was a good thing, because on competition days the center was jammed also rescued a similar program started by to the rafters with athletes, their families and fans plus media, security and Special the City of Los Angeles Parks and Olympics staff. Brayboy’s team seemed to take it all in stride, from solving lane and Recreation Department that was due to equipment issues to keeping the competitors fed and hydrated. be eliminated by budget cuts. His Bowling was established at the Special Olympics in 1975 and is considered to be involvement with the Special Olympics began when he was chosen as one of three bowling officials for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games RAVENNA BOWL in North Carolina. RAVENNA, MI (16 LANES) As one of 26 competition managers for the games, Montgomery worked for more than a year to set up the bowling We congratulate Kathleen and Brian Leiby on their events. He was responsible for everything purchase of this fine center and thank Virginia and Jim from volunteers to supervising the set-up Nutt for working with Ken Paton and Sandy Hansell to of the bowling venue for competition, a complete the sale. We wish Kathleen, Brian, Virginia huge job and a labor of love. “The Special and Jim all the best. Olympics athletes bring smiles to my face and my heart,” says Montgomery. “They show me the meaning of courage, dedication and joy.” Several local centers enabled their hometown athletes to prepare for the games. In Ventura County, pro coach Jeffrey Massey of Harley’s Simi Valley Lanes worked with bowler Erik Fido,
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September 2015
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FEATURE among the most popular sports in the games. That’s a stark contrast to the Olympics, which has only once featured bowling as an exhibition sport and are still considering whether to include it in future games. Montgomery says that bowling aligns perfectly with the goals of the Special Olympics. “It’s a sport where [people with ID] can go out and they can compete, they get exercise, they socialize with other people.” Special Olympics bowling is supported by the European Tenpin Bowling Federation, the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs and the World Tenpin Bowling Association. Competition is judged according to the rules of FIQ with a few exceptions. Athletes who do not have the physical ability to roll a ball with their hand or hands can use a bowling ball ramp. Bowlers who are unable to finish a game but have completed at least three frames are allowed to use one-tenth of their average for each remaining frame. The 2015 bowling contingent consisted of 220 athletes from 50 countries. Each athlete was allowed to participate in a maximum of three events in singles, doubles and team bowling, each of which was a three-game series. There was also a unified competition, where athletes, with and without intellectual disabilities, played on teams together. IBI was there on the second day of competition as bowlers and their supporters cheered and shouted encouragement in multiple languages. Teams from the U.S.A., Canada, Austria, Poland, Ireland, Curaçao and Venezuela took to the lanes. Although bowling styles and abilities ran the gamut from elementary to highly-polished, the competition was
Special Olympics global ambassador Dustin Plunkett (second from right) has a great time on the lanes.
sharp and the athletes were enjoying themselves immensely. Elaine Twomey was a volunteer technical delegate and is in charge of competition development for the Special Olympics in Ireland. Among her projects are developing a larger corps of qualified judges for the bowling events, increasing sponsorships and building a higher profile for the athletes in the mainstream world. “I think, in the past, people wouldn’t have realized that people with special needs or with intellectual disabilities also had huge abilities,” says 18
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A Special Olympian from Qatar proudly walks into the competition.
Twomey. “We’ve got bowlers here that have averages of 200, some guys have a top game of 260, 270. Our aim is to promote that and to show people who are actually at their very best, but also we’re giving athletes across all abilities an opportunity.” Twomey was very pleased with the growth of the unified competition. “We have a huge contingent in unified bowling, which is where two partners, two mainstream bowlers and two Special Olympics athletes, are on a team, and that’s to increase integration of our athletes into mainstream.” Kevin Dornberger, president of the WTBA, made a visit to the bowling venue as part of his organization’s cooperation with the Special Olympics. “We signed a proclamation of support with Special Olympics International in 2011,” said Dornberger. “We have held several unified events since then, two of which were in conjunction with our World Championships.” Dornberger noted that Special Olympics competition revolves around the joy of competition, with less emphasis on winners and losers than in other international games. “There was much joy in evidence at the Los Angeles bowling venue,” he said. You only had to watch the bowlers continually high-fiving and cheering each other on to understand what Dornberger meant. Gary Montgomery summed it up at the end of the competition. “We had some good games, we had some bad games, but you know what, all the athletes had a good time.” ❖
Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.
PROFILE
PAYING IT
8
FORWARD By Mark Miller hile expert coaching helped him on the lanes, it was his business education at Wichita State University that Steve Kloempken said fueled his off-lanes career, prompting Storm’s technical director to want to do something for his alma mater. The resulting Coach K Scholarship program has been providing aid to members of the Wheatshockers’ bowling team since 2010 and ignited similar efforts from other former players. “It was something I had thought about starting for a while because there was only one former player [1980 national champion] Skip Wilson, who was giving back to WSU students even when I was there in the 1990s,” said Kloempken, a 1995 graduate and member of two national collegiate championship teams. “They offered different scholarships but his was the only one, and remained the only one, until I started the Coach K Scholarship in 2010 as a player scholarship. And Wilson’s was only for players from the state of Kansas, which I was not. I kept thinking for many, many years that I should do that too. So I called (WSU head coach) Gordon (Vadakin) and said ‘I want to do this. Put me down for next year’, and grew it from there.” Kloempken started the scholarship with a personal contribution of $500 in 2010 and 2011. The next year, he upped that to $750, and then realized others might join him if simply asked. The first to come on board was
Storm’s Steve Kloempken helps Wichita State bowlers through scholarship.
W
This year’s Coach K scholarship winners Francois Lavoie and Allie Ijams.
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Coach K with all-time great Norm Duke.
former teammate Darren Fitzsimons who offered to match Kloempken’s annual donation. Originally targeted for a member of the WSU men’s team, Kloempken’s idea expanded when Fitzsimmons and his wife (and ex-teammate) Allyson Allmang suggested splitting their joint donation between members of the men’s and women’s programs. A later conversation with another WSU alum, Mervyn Foo, now technical director of the Singapore Bowling Federation, led to earmarking a scholarship to the top international player. “It’s been a pretty cool system we’ve worked out of how people support it,” he said. “Maybe they don’t want to offer up a direct donation but maybe have something of value. Like when Jason Belmonte was here, I had a proprietor who was interested in donating a case of brand new bowling pins which if I were to purchase them myself would run $150. He said ‘I’ll give them to you as long as you can give me one Jason Belmonte-autographed pin.’ I gave him his pin which made him happy and had Jason autograph the others which I’ll take with me for raffles around the country.” Kloempken’s ties to industry people like Foo have netted him
PROFILE merchandise including bowling accessory bags, backpacks, bag tags and hats on which a special Coach K logo has been applied. So when people choose to support the effort, they often can receive one of these items in return. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Kloempken personally knows many of the world’s best bowlers including Belmonte, Pete Weber, Stuart Williams and Norm Duke. The Coach K name and logo stemmed from Kloempken helping Vadakin and his staff at the inaugural Shocker Bowling Camps in 1996. “We would always call Gordon ‘Coach V’ and he referred to me as ‘Coach K’ so when I called him, he asked what I wanted to call it,” Kloempken said. “Rather than the Steve Kloempken Scholarship, I said let’s go with the Coach K Scholarship.” Once other alumni heard what Kloempken was doing, they wanted to give back themselves to the point where, according to Vadakin, about a dozen former players have created their own scholarship funds. “Some alumni now have the financial capabilities to do this,” Vadakin said. Kloempken’s goal is be able to sustain a $10,000 annual fund beginning in 2018. With a combined $4,500 in 2013, $5,400 last year and between $6,000 and $7,000 this year, he’s well on his way. He plans to continue the combination of fund-raising on line, e-Bay auctions, social networking and personal visits in an attempt to meet that goal. “What I built the Coach K Scholarship on was if you received either scholarship money or information or you received some coaching or some kind of benefit by being involved in the
Coach K (right) with Robert Dong (left) and Shalin Zulkifli .
Shocker bowling program while you were a student, then you should give back to the program later on,” Kloempken said. “The knowledge I received there ended up helping me get my foot in the door here at Storm. And I wouldn’t have made Team USA in 1994 were it not for Wichita State.”
Jason Belmonte signs pins to help raise money for the Coach K scholarship fund.
Had he not made Team USA, he likely wouldn’t have traveled the world these past two decades. That includes the last three years as coach of the Singapore National Team which won four gold medals at the Southeast Asia Games in June, the most in its history. ❖
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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BUSINESS
eir sons at th The Ben inema C Cinergy
It’s steep when you’re coming into bowling from movies.
W
hen it comes to the prospects for bowling, Jeff Benson is as sunny as a summer sky in Texas, which happens to be his home state. “I think bowling is going to change our life,” he says. “For the better.” When we chatted, Benson was just days away from breaking ground on a Texas-sized FEC—a whopping 90,000 square feet— in Odessa, about 330 miles west of Dallas. It will have 18 lanes when it opens in the fall of 2016. He was early in the work of adding to his FEC in Midland, 20 miles from Odessa, in order to install at least 12; he’d prefer 20 but that will depend on cost estimates. His third store, in Copperas Cove (Killeen/Ft. Hood), has no plans for bowling, but Benson is leaving the possibility open. “With American Sniper and 50 Shades of Grey and Furious 7, we had a hit every month so far this spring but that’s not typical. You’re super busy in the summer, you’re super busy at the holidays and you’re not as busy in the fall and spring. So the seasonality of the bowling business matches up almost perfectly with the seasonality of the movie business; they work opposites of each other. “I think [bowling is] also going to help drive weekday attendance to us. We may do 3,000 people [movies] on a typical Saturday but a typical Monday is 500.” Films are on Benson’s mind at all three of his locations because he’s been in the exhibition business since 1998. A CPA by trade, he’d been engaged for a theater audit. He ended up quitting his CPA firm the day he returned from his honeymoon because he’d been approved for his first movie theater loan while he and his wife were away. “It gets in your blood,” he says about the entertainment business. “It’s more fun than being a CPA doing books for some
By Fred Groh client. I’ve always been very hands-on. I used to work on my car and I’ve remodeled rent houses, so owning a building and having equipment that breaks is more my cup of tea, even though I was a good CPA and I love numbers. I like my own numbers now rather than somebody else’s.” Benson had an idea, fresh in the late ’90s, of pairing movies with dining. Going to all-reserved seating, “fat seats”—trade lingo for recliners with a footrest—an extended menu including liquor, and waitstaff service in the auditorium, Benson developed a chain he called Movie Tavern. In seven years, including a partnership with Cinemark, the nation’s third largest theater chain, Movie Tavern grew to 110 screens in 14 units in five states. Benson sold out to his partner in 2008 and started all over. He calls the new and current concept Cinergy—pronounced the same as ‘synergy,’ which, he’ll tell you, means making a whole that is more than all its parts. As in movies plus games plus laser tag plus climbing wall plus ropes course, and now bowling, all together adding up to something more than they are individually. “There’s a lot of synergy with our Cinergy concept,” he says seriously. “You get a lot of moviegoers coming and some of them want to stay and play games and some of them want to bowl and some will run over and just have a beer. You put the bowling and the FEC component together with the theater and I think it really is a lot more than just the sum of the parts.” An accidental sum, in the beginning. His Copperas Cove location was a 38,000-square-foot building the city had constructed on spec, standing empty for six years. Benson laid out the building for eight movie screens and wound up with a wing on each side of the lobby. “I wasn’t quite sure what to do with them when I put the contract on the building. I went to IAAPA that fall, 2008, and I landed on laser tag and video games. I put laser tag on the left side and video games on the right and unbeknownst to me, I [was] in the family entertainment center business. I’ve had to spend the last six years figuring out how [to] manage those operations,” he says with an audible smile.
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Bowling wasn’t in the picture then, but Neil IBI
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The Bensons are proud of their accomplishments.
Hupfauer was. He was heading Main Event, a spectacularly successful FEC chain in the state, whose first link he had opened in 1998. The two met when Hupfauer signed on to do a Main Event in Frisco, TX, where a developer was trying to talk Benson into doing a Movie Tavern. Wanting to learn more about the area and Main Event, Benson called and they had lunch. “We struck up a friendship from then,” Hupfauer says. When Benson opened his theater in Copperas Cove, with the laser tag and the video games, creating “a catastrophe,” Hupfauer says, he was there for Benson. “They shoehorned the laser tag arena in. They didn’t run scheduled events. They didn’t have their games maintained properly. They were doing what I would term virtually no business,” Hupfauer reports. “But then, he learns quick. Smart as a whip.” Benson returns the compliment. “Brilliant man. It was really his and Main Event’s influence that made me realize we’re missing a big attraction by not having bowling. “Our theaters do phenomenal numbers, but I think we’d utilize the games and the laser tag and the ropes course and the FEC more if we had bowling, because bowling is there all day every day, we can schedule it, and I think we’ll do a whole lot more parties because of that. A lot more company parties too. As much as laser tag and the ropes course are attractions, they are not really anchor attractions. The bowling alley is going to be [a] second big anchor attraction.” Benson was noting the difficulty of scheduling parties at a movie theater. The films change often, with differing run times, making it hard for parents to plan events for their children. No such problem with bowling parties.
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From Hupfauer’s 20 years in bowling and the success of Main Event—a model FEC by anyone’s standard—Benson learned “facilities first. You’ve got to maintain your facility,” he stresses. “You don’t maintain your facility, the physical plant, the games, making sure you don’t have bowling lanes down—if you let it get run down, if you’re got obsolete equipment, you’re just not going to get top dollar on revenue.” He took lessons from Hupfauer in floor planning, particularly at the Midland location. Hupfauer calls layout a matter of “extreme details” when it’s done right, having to combine what managers require to run the place efficiently and what employees need to provide good customer service. Benson also picked up on what he calls “the Disney effect.” “You want to make sure that everything, even though behind the scenes it might be rough, you want everything for the customer to look like it’s brand new, fresh, shiny. Really, a focus on operations.” Hupfauer nods. “A lot of operational details are required in a family entertainment center that are not required in the movie business. Movies are fairly simple. You sell a ticket, you give them something to drink and then the customer disappears for 2½ hours. So as long as you’ve got control of the tickets, you’re getting your cash, and then you just have to worry about the concession counter.” The customer-centric orientation an FEC requires was the steepest part of Benson’s learning curve. He says the movie exhibition business has “no customer service. “Come in, order a ticket from a pimple-faced teenager behind bullet-proof glass—there’s customer service for you,” he adds sarcastically, “wait for a long time at a concession stand to be served a soda pop and popcorn and maybe a hot dog, if they’ve got an extensive menu. Go to your movie, watch the movie, leave. You had virtually zero customer-service interaction with anybody.” Benson is still learning that part of the curve, “sucking up as much knowledge as we can get.” He’s built a training program, a lot of it by trial-and-error, spends an entire week at IAAPA every year with selected staff, joins “all the industry associations” and uses customerThe Cinergy game room.
BUSINESS service specialists in bowling. “You are going to be ordering, hopefully, a full meal when you get to the [theater] counter. We’ve got to have knowledgeable people about the menu. Hopefully you’re going to play games and those games have to work. We’ve got a full-blown redemption room, so there’s people in there to help you pick out your prizes. We’ve got people giving briefing and refereeing in the laser tag, attendants up on the ropes course to help you get through any of the difficult obstacles [and] make sure you’re safe. It hasn’t been easy. We’ve certainly gone through a lot of growth.”
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Benson and Hupfauer are both excited about the results so far. Cinergy is a distinctive concept in “marrying” movies and FEC, Hupfauer judges, and Benson “a
good all-around guy” to manage it. “Jeff went to one-price drinks [and] self-serve refills before anybody else ever thought about it. All-reservation seating. Serving meals to every theater. He’s just not afraid to be at the forefront. “There’s a lot of areas where there is a movie theater located next to or across the street from a family entertainment center,” Hupfauer observes. “There is some synergy there, but putting them under one roof, Jeff has taken on a big challenge because it’s difficult, very difficult, to run a building that big with that many customers”—as many as 6,000 for the movies at any one Cinergy on a good day—“that many employees. But it’s working exceptionally well in Midland and we think it’s going to work great in Odessa.” Benson’s “sweet spot” is a market with 150,000-250,000 “that doesn’t have much” in the way of family entertainment facilities, preferably an older movie complex. He looks at average household income when he investigates a location, because he wants customers who can drop $20 per person per visit, and he’d like customers younger than 40 in order to snag the kids, but otherwise Cinergy appeals across the age range. Who doesn’t like movies? He’s not chained to Texas, though. “After working on this concept really hard for the last four years or so, we feel comfortable that we can control this beast, which is kind of what it is to operate, from afar. I feel like we can add a couple of these entertainment centers a year, even though I prefer to stay local. It’s a heck of a lot easier to operate if they’re not horribly far away—outside of driving distance—but if it’s the right opportunity, I’m not against going outside of the great state of Texas.” ❖
Fred Groh is a regular contributor to IBI and former managing editor of the magazine.
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COVER STORY
BOWLING HISTORY MEETS CUTTING EDGE AT HEADPINZ FORT MYERS
The Ciniellos showcase their passion for bowling history.
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COVER STORY By Jim Goodwin
A
fter more than six years of planning, Pat and Lisa Ciniello’s 50,000 square-foot dream center is a reality. The all new Headpinz Fort Myers FEC includes vintage circa 1908 Pinboyz Bowling Alleys, a futuristic VIP lounge with intelligent LED projection lighting and sound, traditional league and open play lanes, two restaurants, three lounge areas, an indoor/outdoor patio, a two story laser tag arena, a skywalker ropes course above the huge Game Zone redemption arcade, and more, all under one roof. What do you do if you are a bowling center proprietor who loves history, respects the sport and its traditions, yet recognizes that the business must change its model to optimize chances for financial success in today’s rapidly changing marketplace? That was the dilemma facing Pat and Lisa Cinello in recent years. For more than three decades, they had built their company, Bowland Centers of Southwest Florida, to include five very successful centers. They followed the traditional model with league based centers, great open play on weekends, tournaments, youth programs, award winning food and beverage operations, all run by top-notch service-oriented employees. And they did it all as well as it can be done. Business and life in the Sunshine State, with signs of economic recovery, are good. But for a visionary like Pat Ciniello, good is simply not good enough. He has seen the trend toward FECs up close in his travels around the world as chairman of QubicaAMF. And, with his new centers, he may not have invented the new wheel, but his Bowland and Headpinz team have raised the bar a little higher for future FEC operations and development. The new centers are Headpinz Cape Coral (HPCC) and Headpinz Fort Myers (HPFM). Headpinz Cape Coral is described by Ciniello as the “test case” for Bowland’s entry into the FEC business. In 2014, they
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THE GRANDEST OF OPENINGS After more than six years of planning and construction, Pat Ciniello’s dream of the Headpinz concept became a reality on August 10, 2015. Pat and Lisa Ciniello invited more than 200 friends to see the ribbon cutting and the phenomenal new 50,000 square-foot family entertainment center for the first time. While the VIP crowd was enjoying the opening party in the Pinboyz Bowling Alleys and the VIP lounge, the rest of the center was already packed with paying customers. It was the hottest ticket in Fort Myers that evening, and no one left disappointed. “I want to thank all of the great contractors and our staff for
everything. They did a phenomenal job,” said Ciniello. “I don’t want to forget anyone... and especially I want to thank my beautiful wife Lisa – thanks for being there all the way to make this special day happen. Now! We are going to party tonight and have fun because that is what this place is all about! Thank you all for being here.” completed a total remodel of the 28,000 square-foot 24-lane center they purchased, formerly known as Friendship Lanes. They bought the center in 2011, and while planning the all-new building in Fort Myers, they totally transformed the traditional Friendship
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Lanes into a beautiful and dynamic FEC. When the Cape Coral bowling community got word of what Friendship’s new owners had planned, they were not thrilled, to say the least. But when Pat and Lisa made the commitment to bowl in a league in Cape Coral themselves, in spite of a 45 minute drive from their home, the association members and league bowlers learned that their interests really mattered to the Ciniellos. When revenues tripled after the remodel, everyone was happy. Giving their son Marc Ciniello his first opportunity to be a general manager was another positive step taken in Cape Coral. When the
project was completed, they knew they had a winning formula, which meant they could go full speed ahead on the Fort Myers project. Two years later, Pat and Lisa are still bowling in that league with all of their new friends in Cape Coral. It meant a lot to the locals that they made a commitment and stuck by it.
Laying the Groundwork The entire time they were engaged in the Headpinz Cape Coral project, and even before, the Ciniello team had a much bigger project in mind. They knew it would be in Southwest Florida, but the exact location was not decided until a deal was made at the end of 2009 on the land and location. The year before, Ciniello had a chance to do a partnership deal for a boutique center and village shopping center in Estero, Florida. “I liked the concept, but I wasn’t crazy about the location,” said Ciniello. “I thought the place to build a new entertainment-type center should be near the Florida Gulf Coast University and the new mall being built east of highway 175.” After parting ways with the Estero project, word started spreading that Ciniello was looking for a location closer to the university. He found a great site adjacent to the new Gulf Coast Town Center just off highway 175, but the 11 acres was in the Cleveland Clinic Trust and required development. With a few other investors, he made an offer
COVER STORY pre-construction revenues.” The Cape Coral project got the juices flowing again for the big project in Fort Myers. By then, the folks in Lee County (Fort Myers) were talking about ways to end the recession and stimulate the economy by reducing the impact fees on new construction. Hearing that, Ciniello attended some of their meetings and he made it clear he would build his new entertainment center and bring in jobs to Fort Myers if the impact fees were lowered. He did a couple of television interviews, and, a short time later, the county leaders voted to lower the fees by 80%. That coupled with lower interest rates and appreciation of the property value made the return on investment very attractive to the banks, and the deal was now unstoppable. for the land, but no deal could be reached. Finally, on December 17, 2009, Ciniello purchased land one mile from the airport, two miles from the Gulf Coast Town Center, and only four miles from the university. But the project hit another roadblock. After starting the initial process by hiring civil engineers, an architect and designers in early 2010, Ciniello learned that the local county impact fees were over $460,000. That, along with the fact that interest rates were still very high, put the project on hiatus again. “We decided to put the project on hold again after Lisa and I had a few glasses of wine,” said Ciniello. That tough decision had a silver lining. It gave them the opportunity to complete the Headpinz Cape Coral purchase and re-build. Ciniello was the original owner of Friendship Lanes, but sold it to the Pressinger family years ago. After the death of her father, Petra Pressinger sold it back to Ciniello. “Lisa and I thought it was the perfect fit to test our new concept, so in October 2011, we bought it.” That move gave the Headpinz concept a starting place. Friendship Lanes’ location right on Cape Coral’s busiest street was good, but the old building didn’t have the ‘wow’ look, and they had only 28,000 square feet to work with. The total renovation was completed in February 2014. “We started with an all new Game Zone,” said Ciniello. “That led us to take six of the 24 lanes to finish off a boutique that was not received with open arms by the local league bowlers. But when finished, we learned a lot and we ended up with an award winning entertainment remodel and tripled the center’s
HeadPinz and Bowland Centers of Southwest Florida donated $10,000 to the Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers organization at the grand opening for HeadPinz in Fort Myers. DVIC helps vets enter a career in the insurance industry. This is a cause close to Pat’s heart as he is a veteran himself.
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Making It Unique and Special
Borrowing pages from the Disney playbook, the Ciniellos teamed up with Dynamic Designs and Studio 41b to do something that had never been done in bowling before – building the all new Headpinz Fort Myers. They went back in time to create four vintage circa 1908 alleys within their new state-of-the-art building. They call this special area Pinboyz Bowling Alleys, and it comes complete with above ground ball returns, vintage ball racks, specially trained employees acting as cast members playing their 1908 parts in their 1908 costumes. Pinboyz is authentic in every visible way with everything custom made. No guests will be allowed to bring their own bowling balls into this area. They must use the special black balls with the Pinboyz logo, also custom made for the patrons who will have a chance to see and practice the game in a simpler, purer landscape all while learning about the game’s rich history. Childrens and adult groups will be able to have fun in this area while enjoying a hands-on history lesson. “We thought about getting wooden balls, but we just could not find a good source,” said Ciniello. “I fell in love with the concept while working with Hank Harris to create the two Old Time Alleys in the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington.” Ciniello did find some authentic 1908 vintage wooden balls and many other artifacts for display in the new (old) section. He even purchased a 1908 billiard table and bar to complete the museum-like scene. “We will have rules and regulations from that period. People can even put money in the thumbholes of their balls and roll them down the gutter to tip the pinboys. We will also have costumed employees to keep score on chalkboards.” As chairman of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame for many years, Ciniello oversaw the move of bowling’s Hall of Fame from St. Louis to Texas in 2010. “I think the old-time alleys in the new Texas museum are
COVER STORY great,” he said, “but they are underutilized. By having the vintage attraction here in our new center, people can not only see it, they can touch it and become a part of it. We anticipate many theme parties where people come in costumes to bowl circa 1908. I think it is a wonderful way to teach and honor bowling’s rich history. We think it will get a lot of attention from unique new customers and from the media.”
By contrast, lanes 13-28 will be very traditional, albeit the very best and most modern traditional imaginable with soft custom seating, the latest and greatest QubicaAMF scoring, top of the line masking projection screens, the best and newest QubicaAMF synthetic lanes along with pinspotters and pins.
From Old Time to Ultra Modern
Traveling through time in the new Headpinz Fort Myers center requires only a few steps and the contrast is like going from a horse and buggy to the Starship Enterprise. The Headpinz VIP lounge features elegant tuxedo colors – white bowling lanes with black gutters and caps, and ultra modern custom made furniture with plush seating. The white lanes are only white when the intelligent lighting and sound systems are off. When the system is on, which will be almost all of the time, the lanes transform into a myriad of colors, all possible with LED projection lighting. The incredible system was developed by BowlTech’s Hans Krol in Europe. Headpinz Fort Myers will be the first USA installation. The intelligent lighting system is so versatile it can make the lanes look like projection screens with not only colorful but moving images - virtually anything you can imagine can be created in audio and video technology. Is unique, incredibly entertaining and limited only by imagination.
“We are building the ultimate FEC, but we are not abandoning league and traditional sport bowling,” said Lisa Ciniello. “We fully expect to see a lot of traditional bowling on lanes 13-28. While lanes 1-4 in the Pinboyz area and lanes 5-12 in the VIP lounge will be used primarily for parties and corporate groups, the rest
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will be very much like the lanes in our other Bowland centers.” Other amenities included will be a two story laser tag arena, an overhead ropes course, a huge redemption arcade, an indoor and outdoor patio, three bar/lounge areas, and two restaurants within Nemo’s Sports Bistro; one serving fancy fare, and the other more casual and New York style pizza and Italian entrees.
Hospitality Second to None How many bowling centers have an executive chef, greeters, lane ambassadors, or a concierge area? Headpinz and Bowland will have all of these in Fort Myers, along with a food & beverage manager, a director of marketing, a facilities manager and other key positions in the centrally located corporate office that serves all Bowland centers. Lisa Ciniello spends a lot of time on human resources and she works closely with Pat’s cousin Gary Ciniello, who runs the food & beverage operations for the seven centers. “We hired an executive chef not just for the food, but for new and creative ideas,” said Lisa. “We hope to become a destination place where customers come for the entertainment, but we think the food will keep them in our building and make them come back.” “It also helps that we have a 36 year reputation for award winning food,” added Pat. “So our friends trust us.” A glimpse at the new Nemo’s sports bistro menu inside Headpinz Fort Myers tells us that guests will find items that will rival any of the 40 or 50 restaurants in the newly developed area. Looking for a little delicious duck? How about New Zealand lamp chops, or signature shrimp, or bonein ribeye steak, or Chicken Cordon Bleu? This is not your everyday bowling center menu. And if the real fancy fare is not one’s cup of tea, simply step over to enjoy the NewYork-style pizzeria where chefs toss the dough and prepare the specialty pizzas in a fancy double brick oven.
Lisa also oversees a team that develops new menu content and design, chooses décor for the new projects and remodeling, and works with outside contractors and consultants, like the people at Studio 41b and Dynamic Designs, who helped build the Headpinz centers. “Our management team sits around a table to share ideas about everything we are working on,” said Lisa. “We all have input, and we make decisions together.” Former AMF executive Paul Barkley is another key consultant who now owns his own management company in Florida. “Paul helped us find the right top staff members to run both Headpinz locations,” said Lisa. “We got 700 applicants for jobs just for the Fort Myers center. He headhunted for a general manager, assistant general manager and executive chef. Paul brought in several good people for Pat and me to interview and hire. Then, we gave them the authority to hire their staffs.” With the 140-member staff in place, Barkley then put them through his “Bowling 101” training. The Bowland standard requires all staff members to be well versed in the terminologies and nuances of the sport and the business. Many of them may not be bowlers themselves, but they must have a complete understanding of the game to be successful.
Location, Location, Location Aside from the fact that Headpinz Fort Myers is an incredible entertainment destination, its location will get better and better. The newly developed area is filling up fast with housing developments, offices, restaurants, the new shopping mall, the university with 12,000 students and three exits providing easy access off the interstate. “This is the hottest spot in Southwest Florida,” said Ciniello. “When the banks look at an area, they always post the positives and negatives. For this area, there were no negatives.” “We just think this area and our new center [are] different and unique, and we can’t wait to meet all of our new friends and customers,” said Lisa. “Amen,” said Pat. ❖
Want Success? Hire Good People “I work with Pat and Gary on all the centers, and I spend a lot of time on the HR side and with our marketing people,”said Lisa. “I am very involved in hiring key people because, at the end of the day, they will be working directly with Pat and me and we want to make sure they are people we want on our team.” 36
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Jim Goodwin is the founder and president of the Bowling News Network and a former president and life member of the International Bowling Media Association.
OPERATIONS
By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson
A
ll across the United States, business owners are facing increases in minimum wage. President Obama has proposed boosting the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. In an article in CNNMoney on February 19, Carol Schumacher, vice president of investor relations for Walmart stated, “Any time any company raises wages, it's a help for the economy." Attendees at the Face 2 Face Entertainment Conference held in February in Scottsdale, AZ, faced a challenge posed by Rick Iceberg, CEO,
in July to $1 above the mandated minimum wage and expected average wages to rise to more than $10 an hour by the end of 2016. According to McDonalds CEO Steve Easterbrook, "A motivated workforce leads to better customer service so we believe this initial step not only benefits our employees, it will improve the McDonalds restaurant experience." On June 3rd, the Los Angeles City Council approved boosting the minimum wage to $15 an hour by July 2020. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said, "I started this campaign to raise the minimum wage to create broader economic prosperity in our city, and because the minimum wage should not be a poverty wage in Los Angeles." Bowling center operators weighed in on this issue and how it might affect their businesses.
Current practices
Jeffrey P. Benson, founder and CEO of Cinergy Entertainment Group, Inc. (DBA Cinergy Cinemas & Entertainment), is opening a third location in Texas. The new Odessa center will have 18 bowling lanes. His starting wages differ depending on the location. “In Copperas Cove, the market dictates that FECS THAT RELY ON PART-TIME EMPLOYEES MAY we can start at minimum NOT BE ABLE TO ABSORB THE MINIMUM WAGE HIKES wage for lower skilled jobs; WITHOUT INCREASING COSTS TO THE CONSUMER. however, kitchen staff and assistant managers all start at - Barry Zelickson, proprietor of $10 or more depending on Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka, MN. their experience,” explains Benson. “In Midland, where the oil companies run the beginning wages up tremendously, we have to C.J. Barrymores, who noted that Walmart intends start even unskilled teenagers at $12-$13 an hour.” to pay a starting wage of $10 an hour. He Barry Zelickson, proprietor of Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka, MN, starts questioned: “Can the entertainment industry afford all his employees higher than his state’s minimum wage of $8.50 an hour, to do the same? If we have a business where our staff but the state is raising the minimum wage in August to $9. Zelickson points can’t afford to visit, is that a good business?” out that increasing wages will increase the cost of doing business. “FECs Attendees held animated discussions on the that rely on part-time employees may not be able to absorb the minimum issue. A few months later, a USA Today article noted wage hikes without increasing costs to the consumer. In our marketplace, that McDonalds planned to increase pay for those that have more training or are skilled earn the higher wages-employees at company-operated locations starting
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OPERATIONS promotions. These are not the employees who have to provide paying people higher wages is fine but then you still have all for their families at the current $7.25/hour minimum wage.” the training costs and you also need to push the trained labor Phil Huffman, Party Czar at BAM! in Holland, MI, with 29 salaries higher if you raise the base. At the end of the day, you still have to run a profitable business and those added costs have to be passed on …WE WILL PAY THE PRICE FOR LOCKING IN A somehow.” STARTING MINIMUM WAGE THAT IS HIGHER THAN THE Benson comments, “We INDIVIDUAL MARKET DEMANDS. see no benefit to paying a 16or 17-year-old high school - Jeff Benson, founder and CEO student higher than the current of Cinergy Entertainment Group, Inc.. $7.25 minimum wage. How many actual adults in their 20s lanes of bowling, notes, “Our lowest paid, non-tipped are totally still unskilled to where the employer feels obligated employed begins at $8.15.” If wages were increased to $10 to start them at minimum wage? If they are that unskilled, then an hour Huffman says, “It would give the business less cash to that is the wage they should make. The average 16- or 17-yearwork with to build business. When sales increase, employees old has no significant job experience and contributes very see an immediate increase in tips, commissions and hours.” little as we spend dollars training them. Traditionally in our business, they are floor staff (janitorial) or work our redemption counter where they check out people’s redemption purchases, Why pay above but they aren’t responsible for money. These are the same minimum wage? Tony Sands, president of Back Alley Bowling, operates two bowling centers in the Los Angeles area: Jewel City Bowl in Glendale, CA; and Matador Bowl in Northridge, CA. The Glendale facility, which has been in Sands’ family since 1960, has 40 employees while the Northridge center has 35. Sands’ employees start at California’s minimum wage of $9 an hour and after a 90-day training/review period, many are bumped up to $10 an hour. “If they are valuable, we want to keep them,” states Sands. Brad and Keri Little, owners of HeyDay Entertainment in Brad and Keri Little (left) with co-owners Tracy and Norman, OK, pay a starting wage of $8 an hour which is Trey Bates of HeyDay Entertainment in Norman, OK above Oklahoma’s minimum wage. Brad, who is also the general manager of the FEC which includes bowling, WE BELIEVE THAT A STARTING PAY OF comments, “We promote fairly quickly to $8.50 an hour once $10 AN HOUR WILL BE A REALITY IN THE an employee passes the probationary period. We also have NEAR FUTURE. THE EFFECT ON THE several employees that make $9 to $12 per hour. We believe EMPLOYEES WILL LIKELY BE BETTER JOB that a starting pay of $10 an hour will be a reality in the near future. The effect on the employees will likely be better job SATISFACTION AND LESS LIKELIHOOD satisfaction and less likelihood of leaving for another job.” He OF LEAVING FOR ANOTHER JOB. advises those employers who want to pay all employees a - Brad Little starting wage of $10 an hour to “Go for it. Be careful how you structure your pay scale employees who are currently learning, on the job, how to and have more bonus perform basic tasks including always showing up on time and goals rather than yearly not using their phone while at work. Of course we cater to their increases in pay.” school schedules giving them off for sports, prom, and many “When other school functions. With that part-time flexibility comes a cost…a businesses are decreased wage. Those who accomplish these most basic paying a $10 an hour requirements, along with learning how to be productive and starting wage then we how to have a great customer service attitude, get raises and
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OPERATIONS have to as well, to compete for the good talent that is out there,” states Court Huish, partner of Wilsonville Family Fun Center and Boondocks Food and Fun, with locations in Wilsonville, OR, Salt Lake City, UT, and Denver, CO. “Providing the best guest experience possible means hiring and training
Higher wages don’t always mean better performance
Benson notes, “The effect of a higher wage, mandated by the economy, is not to have a better, more committed employee – it just increases our cost of doing business and increases TO BE A ‘PREFERRED EMPLOYER’ MEANS GETTING the price the customer has to pay. There may be more EMPLOYEES TO WANT TO WORK FOR US. WAGES committed $9 per hour AND PAY ARE PART OF THAT FORMULA. employees in Copperas Cove - Court Huish, partner of Wilsonville Family Fun Center and than a lot of the $13 - $15 per Boondocks Food and Fun with locations in Wilsonville, OR, hour employees in Midland.” Salt Lake City, UT and Denver, CO Zelickson theorizes that if a business owner paid a starting wage of $10 an hour before it was mandated, “You would the best employees we can. To be a ‘preferred employer’ benefit by getting better talent. However, once the minimum means getting employees to want to work for us. Wages and wage is increased, to get that better talent you will now need pay are part of that formula.” to pay $12 or more.” Benson offers advice for business owners who want to pay Benson notes that a lower wage could also impact his all employees a starting wage of $10 an hour. “I would tell them business. “It depends on the position and the skill level and the that in some markets they might have to pay more than $10 market. We can afford to pay our lowest skilled employees the (like Midland) and in others they wouldn’t. If they were in a lowest wage that the market allows. Higher skilled workers (such market that did not mandate a $10 starting wage, then I would as a game tech or kitchen employee) will simply not stay tell them that they will have to charge more for their goods and employed if you pay below what the market demands.” services than their competitors if they want to maintain a To afford to pay everyone $10 an hour, Zelickson notes similar profit margin. It’s simple economics.” that a business owner would have to have “more structured focus on MAP OF STATES WITH UPDATED TIPPED AND MINIMUM WAGE RATES labor costs and business expenses.” Pricing would be affected as well. Zelickson points out that, “Lower wages hurt your business if you don’t pay people what they are worth. As long as you pay well those with skills, who add value to your business, you are fine. For those who don’t have skills you are paying them a good wage, plus building their skills [while on the job] can increase their wage as their skills develop.”
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Possible impacts from increased wages
Benson notes that a lower minimum wage is a necessity at one location. “Copperas Cove is a very military-heavy market with Fort Hood being across the street from our location. Everyone in the military 40
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Visit Our New Website
WBPIprogram.com
OPERATIONS Minimum Wage Roundup Meanwhile, in other states considering minimum wage regulation: • Maine's wage hike proposal may stall in the Republican-controlled Senate. • California's bill to institute automatic minimum wage indexing has been amended; now it calls for a $13 minimum wage by 2017 followed by annual increases due to inflation. • Rhode Island's $9.60 wage bill has passed both the House and the Senate and will be signed by the Governor. Earlier in the spring, Oregon's Senate President announced he would not allow a vote on a proposed minimum wage increase, but Oregon's House Speaker wants to move on a $13 wage bill. expects a military discount and we are honored to give [it to] them. That keeps our average movie ticket price very low. In fact, we pride ourselves on having the lowest ticket prices in the greater Killeen market. If we had to increase starting wages to $10 an hour, we could no longer do that, and I absolutely believe that our movie attendance would decrease. We might maintain the same overall box office revenue if we had fewer customers and higher prices, but our food and amusements revenues would suffer.” Sands expresses that paying a higher wage may not impact a business in a way one might expect. “Higher wages may hurt the business because we’d have to raise prices to offset the increased costs which may make it too prohibitive for some people to come.” Huish knows that a starting wage of $10 an hour would impact his business. “We would try and pass along these increased costs to our guests, in the form of price increases so
that we could keep our ROI consistent and our partners happy,” shares Huish. “Business is all about risk versus return and when the risks outweigh the return, then the business closes down and the capital goes elsewhere.” When asked his opinion about setting the minimum wage at $10 an hour, Little responded, “If that becomes the law, then obviously everyone will be playing with the same rules. I certainly want our employees
Phil Huffman, party czar at BAM! in Holland, MI, with his wife and business partner Beth.
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OUR LOWEST PAID, NON-TIPPED EMPLOYEE BEGINS AT $8.15.
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to be able to afford making a living while working here.” Paying $10 an hour “increases an expense for the company, so the cost will have to be passed on in various ways to our guests,” notes Little. Huffman pointed out that setting the minimum wage at $10 an hour “would put all new hires at the same level. There are significant differences in responsibility between departments that would create friction. The game room is much easier to work than the kitchen.” Huish advises, “Pay is only one factor that enters into an employee’s job satisfaction level. There are many factors when it comes to providing a great work experience. We try and provide an overall great experience for our employees, and the pay rate is just part of that formula.” To afford to pay everyone a starting wage of $10 an hour, companies will have to operate more efficiently. “You would have to get more work from fewer employees in certain situations,” states Little. “You would also have to increase 42
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OPERATIONS there will be more good employees available at lower wages. Unfortunately wages are a significant cost in this business model, so controlling these costs is important to keeping the prices affordable.” “Our starting wages will stay the same,” adds Huffman. “Michigan is HIGHER WAGES MAY HURT THE BUSINESS giving my staff a raise at the end of BECAUSE WE’D HAVE TO RAISE PRICES TO OFFSET this year.” Keri Little shares, “Higher wages THE INCREASED COSTS WHICH MAY MAKE IT TOO allow you to hire people with higher PROHIBITIVE FOR SOME PEOPLE TO COME. standards, so you then need fewer - Tony Sands, president of Back Alley employees and also frees you up to Bowling in the Los Angeles area have a better bonus program.” Benson concludes, “It seems that every time the economy improves and that times are good, there a higher wage would hurt his business, though he says, “It is a push for higher starting wages. The problem is that the economy would affect our business model in some aspects, but we ebbs and flows, expands and contracts, and during the contractions, would just have to adjust accordingly.” we will pay the price for locking in a starting minimum wage that is higher than the individual markets demand.” ❖ Supply and demand and some prices to offset the cost – just as you do in your restaurant when the price of cheese or meat goes up. It’s just the facts of doing business.” Little does not believe
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“The law of supply and demand should be allowed to set the market rate for labor,” opines Huish. “When things are good and unemployment is low, we will all have to pay more because the cost of good labor will go up. When there are excess employees due to high unemployment, then
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 Awardwinning 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.
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TOURNAMENTS
THE NEW GLOBAL BOWLING OLYMPIC EFFORT Japan’s Round1 Corporation makes an investment to bring bowling to the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. By Jim Goodwin
R
ound1 Entertainment Corporation of Japan has become a new corporate star in bowling’s Olympic dream. With the games going to Tokyo in 2020, the sport’s second largest bowling market is making a very strong bid to be a part of what promises to be one of the most spectacular Olympics ever staged. In late September, the decision will be made, and the hope is that the entire global bowling industry will be celebrating. Not since the days of Jack Reichert and Jim Bennett have there been such a strong effort on the corporate level to make bowling a part of the Olympic Games. Today, World Bowling president Kevin Dornberger is optimistic that bowling has its best chance of Olympic status since those close efforts for the 1980 Los Angeles games and since it was a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul games. “Getting Round1 financial support is a really big deal because, as you know, we have struggled to get partners outside the industry, particularly outside the U.S. bowling industry for quite some time, and this is really the first time that a foreign entity has stepped up on their own volition to offer significant assistance to us for the process,” said Dornberger. In those earlier efforts, Brunswick Corporation chairman Reichert and president Bennett used all the leverage they could
find and did everything they could to lead the charge in a global effort that involved the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), the World Ten Pin Bowling Association (now World Bowling), the American and Women’s International Bowling Congresses (now USBC), and many others. Brunswick, now an independently owned bowling company led by Brent Perrier, is still behind the effort; but a new major player in a different part of the world as a new partner is a welcome effort. Round1’s involvement has been much more than simply a pledge to provide some of the funding needed for an Olympic bid. They were front and center in demonstrating to the world,
Winners of the Bowling World Open from left to right: women's third place tie is Karen Marcano (Venezuela), Kelly Kulick (U.S.A); women's second place Birgit Poppler (Germany); women's first place is Joey Yeo (Singapore); men's first place Osku Palermaa (Finland); men's second place Isao Yamamoto (Japan); men's third place tie Bill O'Neill (U.S.A) and Dom Barrett (England).
and particularly to Olympic officials, that bowling is capable and ready to operate events on the Olympic level by staging an all new World Bowling Tour event in Tokyo July 9-12. The World 46
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TOURNAMENTS “ESPN sent the PBA / WBT shows to about 150 Bowling Open featured 567 top players from 52 countries, had national countries in the past two years,” he said. “That is a television coverage in Japan, and paid a handsome prize fund of more lot, and it covers most of the world. If we are named than $400,000, including two generous $81,814 (10 million yen) first place as a Tokyo 2020 sport, I see the WBT picking up a checks to winners Osku Palermaa of Finland and Joey Yeo from Singapore. Demonstrating that bowling is also gender neutral, the event paid equal prizes to both men and women contestants. Round1 also paid transportation and hotel costs for more than 200 of bowling’s biggest stars to compete. America’s Kelly Kulick was among the group. “It was a very hectic schedule,” but we were treated very well by Round1 and Japan Bowling Congress people,” said Kulick. “Round1 provided an interpreter and made sure we had busses to get us to all the appearances and tournament events. They did a great job.” The speed at which such a major event was organized and executed was also a marvel. Normally, an event of this magnitude is a couple of years in the planning stages, but not this one. It all started with a phone call to Dornberger only seven months prior to the event. “Our Japanese federation contacted me in January Press conference after the Bowling World Open. and said ‘After you being here for a week and talking to the Japan global sponsor and all of the events being on regular Olympic committee, we think we have a real chance to get into 2020 TV or at least on an Xtra Frame type vehicle; and I see Tokyo, and Round1 is very interested in doing an event.’ They asked if that being distributed in a lot of mediums around the I was okay with that, and of course I was okay with it,” he said. Dornberger world. It will be the start of a true global plan of worked with Japan Bowling Congress board member Maysayo Sally distribution. I will tell you right now that, if we make Takahashi and others to quickly establish the event as a major tournament the list, we will pick up commercial sponsors that are on the World Bowling Tour. not bowling based. That will be a first and a huge step “We are grateful to Round1 for their financing of this event,” said forward for bowling.” Takahashi. “They provided the prize money and expenses for all of the How good are bowling’s chances of making the cut invited players.” for the 2020 Olympic Games? Dornberger says,“Both “There were over 200 invited players, meaning that their transportation our Japanese federation and Round1 believe we have and lodging were a huge expense, not to mention the $400,000 prize a realistic chance and that the presentation of a major fund,” added Dornberger. “And they had TV, so the number could be event in Tokyo before the decision is announced will closer to 1.5 or even two million.” have a positive impact. Round1 has the vision to see Another effort that got the attention of the IOC was a petition in long-term value in bowling being an Olympic sport.” support of bowling’s Olympic bid signed by more than a million Japanese Whether or not bowling has the Olympics in its bowlers. It was a joint effort between the JBC and Round1. future, more corporate sponsorships will be needed The world, and especially the bowling world, has changed significantly and welcomed for the World Bowling Tour and many since the 1980 Olympic effort. FIQ and WTBA are now together as one other global efforts. Kudos to Round1 Entertainment World Bowling organization with one leadership team. The ABC and Corporation for putting the sport and long-term WIBC merged in 2005 to become the United States Bowling Congress; goals in the spotlight. and they now have a very close alliance with the Bowling Proprietors’ Let’s hope there are many more Round1s in Association of America under one roof at the International Bowling bowling’s future. ❖ Campus in Arlington, Texas. While all of this merging and consolidation may have seemed like a whirlwind to industry insiders, the hope is that it will be seen by the global sport community as a sign that bowling is a sport on the move and headed Jim Goodwin is the founder and president of the in the right direction with a healthy sport and business partnership. Bowling News Network and a former president and life member of the International Bowling If the bid is successful and bowling finally becomes an Olympic sport, Media Association. Dornberger sees a huge potential for sponsorship for the new World Bowling Tour. 48
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SHOWCASE NEW! 2016 LANE MACHINE
At Bowl Expo this past June, Kegel officially introduced its 2016 FLEX and FLEX Walker lane machines. As with the original FLEX machines, these new models include Sanction Technology™ conditioning system, patented cleaning system, and pre-filled/refillable, dual conditioner cartridges. Special features for the new lane machine models are an easy sliding, detachable lid assembly and a pin deck treatment spray system. For more information, please visit www.kegel.net or call 863-734-0269.
CASH MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
Intercard, Inc. has unveiled the i3 Reader. This is the only reader in the amusement market that is capable of accepting three different payment methods: magnetic stripe; RFID proximity cards/wristbands; and smartphones. It gives clientbusinesses the option to completely switch their business from magnetic stripe readers to RFID or NFC technologies or to phase in and/or test the new technologies over time, while still using the latest in magnetic stripe readers. Other features of the i3 Reader include: fullcolor screen displaying customer’s photo in real time; a programmable LED board; Ethernet network; wireless WiFi technology; PCI compliant for bank credit cards; and an all-inone unit with no external controller, power supplies or additional hardware. To learn more, call 314-275-8066.
PRIZE BOX CRANE
Compact, cool and fun—that’s exactly what customers get with LAI Games’ Prize Box. This fresh take on the traditional crane game will fit into any location and will attract players with its cool, multicolored LED glow lighting and clear prize display. They can be banked together for an even bigger impact. Players have the unique perspective of looking over the top of the claw gantry to aim for their chosen prize, making for an exciting game. Flexible settings will allow the operator to offer a variety of prizes. For more information, email Allison Timberlake at allison.timberlake@helixleisure.com or go to www.helixleisure.com.
SMART NEW GAMES
Brunswick’s Sync offers a trio of new, simple, and easy-to-play bowling games that customers will love, thus netting additional revenues. The HORSE game mimics the classic playground basketball shot-making game, challenging opponents to knock down specified pin configurations. EZ BOWLING makes the perfect activity for children’s parties, while CREATURE FEATURE, a 5-frame/1 ball-per-frame game, spotlights a gallery of spooky, fun monsters that play along. Sync offers six game variations to add to the traditional 10-pin/10frame game. There are also Sync scoring themes to complement different open play or league bowling situations. To learn more, visit www.brunswickbowling.com/sync.
STAR WARS PRODUCTS
After ten years, fans of Star Wars eagerly await the December release-date of The Force Awakens, Episode 7. In anticipation, BMI Merchandise (Bonita Marie, Intl.), a leading supplier of redemption merchandise, has introduced its extensive Star Wars product line. For the over 18-year-olds, there are quality metal watches in collectible tins, along with figurines and mugs. For the younger set, products, co-branded with Lego and Hot Wheels, offer light sabers, crane-able backpacks and much more. “BMI is poised to bring the broadest possible Star Wars merchandise options for all amusement applications,” offered Dave Schwartz, V.P. Sales/Mktg. For more information, visit www.bmimerchandise.com or call 800-272-6375.
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DATEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 22-23 FEC Success Seminar Amusement Products Chattanooga, TN www.fecsuccess.com
27–October 2 Entertainment Center Manager (ECM) School International Bowling Campus Arlington, TX Kelly Bednar (817) 385-8462
28-29 BCAF Board of Directors Meeting Town Hall Meeting Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando, FL Chris Gallas (800) 343-1349 ext. 8471 www.bcaf.us
OCTOBER IBI
5-7
East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Golden Nugget Atlantic City, NJ www.eastcoastbowl.com
6 BCSC Annual Meeting Stubhub Center Carson, CA Anna Littles (818) 789-0900
6-8 Euro Attractions Show Swenska Massan Exhibit Center Gothenburg, Sweden (703) 836-4801 www.iaapa.org/expos
13-15 Foundations Entertainment University Dallas, TX Randy White (816) 931-1040
28 BCSC Golf Tournament Black Gold Golf Club Yorba Linda CA Anna Littles (818) 780-0900
16-17 BPA State Leadership Meeting Intl. Bowling Campus Arlington, TX (800) 343-1329
NOVEMBER
IBI
2-8 Bowlmor AMF U.S. Open AMF Garland Lanes Garland, TX (972) 613-8100
18-20
West Coast Bowling Convention Silver Legacy Resort & Casino Reno Sandi Thompson (925) 485-1855 www.wcbowling.com
16-20 IAAPA Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL (703) 836-4801 www.iaapa.org/expos
23 Kentucky BPA Annual Meeting Jack McCarthy (502) 558-3450
DECEMBER
25-28 Southwest Ideas Share Summer Education & Trade Show Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Charles, LA k.miller@texasbowlingcenters.org
7-19 PBA World Series of Bowling VII National Bowling Stadium Reno, NV (800) 304-2695; www.pba.com
26 BPA Pennsylvania Board of Directors Meeting Fairfield Inn, Butler, PA Chris Gallas chris@bpaa.com (800) 343-1349, ext. 8471
JANUARY
27 BPA Pennsylvania Annual Meeting Family Bowlaway Fun Center Butler, PA Chris Gallas chris@bpaa.com (800) 343-1349, ext. 8471
2-7 Team USA Trials Gold Coast Hotel & Casino Las Vegas USBCTeamUSA@bowl.com Tennelle.Milligan@bowl.com (817) 385-8226 IBI
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7-8 BCA Wisconsin Board of Director Meeting Trade Show Wisconsin Dells bcaw@bowlwi.com (262) 783-4292
Official magazine of the convention
CLASSIFIEDS
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 • Fax: (714) 522-0576
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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
www.tuckerbowling.com SERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • Frameworx NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849
291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940 on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com
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
REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com. FOR SALE: Kegal Custodian+, excellent condition; 32 lanes Mitsubishi Media Masks— will separate; 82-70 PBLs; 40 lanes HPL full lane; Factory A2s; AMF & Brunswick powerlift; AMF Excel scoring; parts; complete packages and installations available. (719) 251-1616 or knotritellc@gmail.com.
EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Call (608) 764-1464.
MANAGER WANTED MANGER wanted for one of our northern New Jersey locations. Some management experience preferred. Email resume to sgroce@nationwidebowlingcom.
MECHANIC WANTED 32-lane center in Poway in Southern California needs A or B mechanic 82-70s. Call Jimmy at (858) 722-7781.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com. 52
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CLASSIFIEDS
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 070-006-757S Smooth Dist. Belt w/ lacing $35 ea. 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. NEW F131T 16” x 40” $125 ea. All plates include screws and instructions 800-445-1090 (F) 609-267-4669 festrikezone.com Resurfacing - Repairs - Supplies - Synthetics
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One of the top five places to move! Remodeled 32lane center. Good numbers. $3.1m gets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828) 253-0362. EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-lane Brunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thru liquor store in small college town. Also, 3 apartment buildings with 40 units, good rental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or (701) 430-1490. NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s, Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game & pool rooms. See pics and info @ www.visitcolby.com or contact Charles (785) 443-3477.
SELL YOUR CENTER
(818) 789-2695 AREA SALES MANAGER
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PRODUCTS – NORTHEAST REGION
DINUBA LANES For Sale in California: City population of 21,000, and trade population of 129,000, 16-lane center with auto scoring. 15,000 s/f building. Family business with great potential. Owner retiring; will carry small 1st @ 6%. Full appraisal available for serious buyer. Call Armen (559) 250-3502.
Brunswick Bowling Products is seeking an Area Sales Manager for their capital equipment products for the Northeast Region of the United States. Sales territory will include the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Mass, Rhode Island and Maine. The ideal candidate must live within territory and will have experience selling capital equipment products, preferably in the bowling industry. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years outside sales experience. Position requires a minimum of 50% travel. Candidates should also have a Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing or equivalent large account sales experience. Send resume to donna.nichols@brunbowl.com or fax to 231 725-4865. Brunswick Bowling Products is an equal employment opportunity employer.
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CENTERS FOR SALE APPRAISALS: LARRY DOBBS MAI, ASA. (214) 674-8187. Bowlingvaluations@yahoo.com. NORTHER CALIFORNIA (foothills): 12-lane Brunswick center with pro shop, arcade, and snack & cocktail bars. 22,000 s/f/ in updated building on 2 acres. Room to expand. Fishing, snow & water skiing close by. $999,000. For right situation, owner will carry. Dee Durbin, Bella Real Estate (530) 957-5409. SOUTHWEST KANSAS: Well-maintained 8lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant. Includes business and real estate. Nice, smaller community. Owner retiring. $212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828. GEORGIA: Busy 32-lane center, real estate included. Great location in one of fastest–growing counties in metro Atlanta. 5 years new with all the amenities. Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751. OHIO, Archbold: 12-lane Brunswick center on 1.81 acres w/ 13,440 s/f commercial bldg. Plus QubicaAMF scoring system, pro shop with eqpt. & restaurant/bar area with eqpt. & fixtures. Asking 189,900.00. Contact lshirkey@fmbank.com or (800) 451-7843 x 15290. OKLAHOMA: Lease to Own or Owner Carry for Viable Investor. 16 lanes—fully remodeled with so much potential, A2s, Steltronic w/42” flatscreens, synthetic panels, 11th Frame Grill, laser tag, largest game room in the area & thriving lounge w/ room to expand. (719) 251-1616. 16-lane center in Southern Colorado mountains. Great condition. 18,000 s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge. Paved parking 100+ vehicles. Established leagues & tournaments. $950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155. NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor & Bowling. Established 8 lanes between Mpls & Duluth w/ large bar, dining room, banquet area. Two large State employment facilities nearby. High six-figure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089. www.majesticpine.com. CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full-service restaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables, karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net.
CLASSIFIEDS
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/
LOCKER KEYS FAST! All Keys done by code # Locks and Master Keys E-mail: huff@inreach.com TOLL FREE
1-800-700-4539
IBI
September 2015
55
REMEMBER WHEN
1958 C
luett, Peabody & Co., Inc. recognized a good platform for its Arrow shirt brand— quality polo shirts made with bowling in mind. This sharply dressed couple sells Arrow’s new “Bowler” knit. Our guy is intense and focused; our lady definitely does not have bowling on her mind. However, that being said, they look sharp, with a price (note, under the photo) that would please all of us today. 1958 counted 4,000+/- BPAAmember centers; 217,000+/YABA bowlers; 3,000,000+/ABC members; and 1,000,000 WIBC bowlers. It was a good year for bowling. ❖ – Patty Heath
56
IBI
September 2015