THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
CONTENTS
VOL 19.4
6 ISSUE AT HAND
39 OPERATIONS
Suspended in Time
How to successfully change your bill of fare
By Scott Frager
By Dave Pavesic
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Chris Holmes holmes@bowlingindustry.com
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Gregory Keer keer@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
10 SHORTS
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Jayhawk is 50! Kissing-controlled bowling John Amend’s luxury bowling vision
44 WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME PBA's Ryan Shafer knocks down diabetes by Joan Taylor
CONTRIBUTORS Michael Goldman Bree Gutierrez Patty Heath Evan Henerson Dave Pavesic Joan Taylor SPECIAL PROJECTS Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424
FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
14 CENTER STAGE
50 OFF THE CLOCK
Abandoned Centers
Don Cargian finds bowling and country swing a nice way to retire
Do bowling centers have souls? By Evan Henerson
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18 COVER STORY
62 REMEMBER WHEN
Pinstripes
1946
Bowling, Bocce and Bistro are Dale Schwartz’s secrets to success.
Post WWII, bowling and Joe Falcaro
By Michael Goldman
51 Showcase 53 Datebook 54 Classifieds
44
Cover by Sheila Black Photography 4
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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, 13245 Riverside Drive, Suite 501, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2010, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.
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THE ISSUE AT HAND
Suspended in Time Bowling centers are made up of cinder blocks, 2x4s and sheetrock. They are merely lanes, pinsetters and other miscellany under tar roofs, right? I guess it can be argued that the true essence of bowling centers has nothing to do with the physical attributes that comprise the box. Some might say, philosophically, that bowling centers exist of the people who own, operate and patronize them. Perhaps, just maybe, there’s something even more. Could there be a spiritual element to these inanimate objects? When one peers out to the stars, gazes out at the Pacific Ocean or studies a glorious work of art, one can’t help but feel that there might be something more to the universe than what can be touched, seen, tasted or smelled. Can buildings, bowling centers in particular, exhibit animism? In layman terms, do centers have souls? Recently, I came across a genre of photographers who lose themselves in their art of photographing abandoned buildings. And, specifically, we found a band that was inexplicably drawn to shooting abandoned bowling centers. Go figure. What could have possibly compelled artists to venture into cavernous, empty and often dangerous abandoned bowling centers? And, what could possibly have been worthy of artistic note inside these vacant mausoleums? I must admit that I’m conflicted about the photo essay inside this 6
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issue titled “Do Centers Have Souls?” There is something beautiful about the images this select group of photographers has been able to preserve. Yet, there is something quite unsettling and unnerving about seeing such images. Seeing the ghost-like innards of closed bowling centers that have been left to the elements is simply an unnatural experience for this publisher and photography enthusiast. These photos lead me to contemplate even bigger questions about life, death, art and business. I look at these photos and am not sure if I am supposed to mourn the loss of the center or ponder the freak beauty of the moment. I wonder about all the stories that could be told if these buildings could speak. And, what’s even more remarkable to me is the current state of the featured bowling centers. Suspended in time, some almost seem as if, on the day the doors were locked and the windows shuttered, the proprietors had hoped to return. Of course, that day never came. After being exposed to these photos and feeling the emotions they stir, I argue that bowling centers do indeed have souls. . – SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com On April 12, pull up a chair, turn on your computer and participate in Bowling Industry magazine’s latest FREE webinar tackling the hottest issue in business today, Social Media. From Facebook to YouTube to Twitter, Social Media is the latest and greatest challenge and asset to marketing your business. Learn how to maximize social media’s potential. Featuring industry leaders Carey Tosello of e-Bowl.biz and a special MYSTERY PRESENTER, the webinar will share the secrets of how to use this powerful tool. REGISTER online at www.BowlingIndustry.com. Time: 9 AM PST; 11 AM CST; Noon EST. FREE bonus offer for all attendees.
SHORTS
Charity Begins on the Lanes A Super Bowl Sunday tradition at Enterprise Park Lanes in Springfield, MO once again raised funds --$10,000--for muscular dystrophy research. Teams of families, friends or coworkers bowled and then enjoyed the big game. According to the organizer Amy Kern, “We’ve had it the past 22 years and over the past 22 years we have raised over $200,000 so everybody has a good time. “ Learning about being a foster parent was the focus of the 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day Sweetheart bowling event at Pin Chasers in Tampa, FL. The Children’s Home, Inc. hosted 300 foster parents and kids highlighting the need for more parents. St. Petersburg, FL has rallied around the families of two slain police officers killed January 24 with the help of Ten Pin Lanes. The center hosted a benefit to raise money for the families of Jeffrey A. Yaslowitz and Thomas J. Baitinger. Over 200 people and 19 sponsors were signed up with more expected . Ten Pin Lanes, a 20-lane house, will make sure everyone who comes will bowl. All proceeds will go to the families. “Totally 80’s Rewind” was the tag for this year’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids’ Sake held at Dale’s Weston Lanes in Weston, WI. As quoted in the Wausaudailyhearld.com, Tom Kellnhauser, executive director, said “…we really need this to do well because it’s a third of our operating budget.” Accolades go to the centers and bowlers supporting local needs. Let us know what your center is doing.
Sun Villa Lanes,
Third Strike’s a Turkey Scott Stockman bowls in a league at Sun Villa Lanes. If he had known that the center had hosted two other lottery winners in 1999 and 2008, he might have been more hopeful. According to the Bellevue Reporter, Stockman “on a whim” decided to buy some Scratch tickets with a teammate. “I bought three Lucky for Life tickets and won $3, so my teammate decided to buy a different ticket. Later I went back and bought more of the Lucky for Life tickets, and that’s when I got the winning ticket.” “At first I thought I won $52,000 total,” Stockman recalled. “Then I scratched more of the ticket and realized I won $52,000 a year for life!” Stockman, father of a one-year-old daughter , works at Nordstrom and will keep his job, a careful approach to a big win. In 1999 the center sold a $6,000,000 Lotto ticket and then in 2008, a Bellevue family bought an $8,900,000 Lotto ticket. In bowling the third strike makes a “Turkey”! 10
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TV/Cartoon Families & Superheroes rake in the dough Bowling in costume seems to be the key to successful fundraising. Over $17,500 was raised by the Hanover Education Foundation to support scholarships and grants for the teachers and students of Hanover County in Virginia. The annual “Bowl for Education” event was held Saturday January 22, 2011 at AMF Hanover Lanes and included forty-six teams representing all parts of the Hanover community including the local fire department, school board, and local businesses. The Favorite TV/Cartoon family theme brought teams dressed as Smurfettes, The Flintstones, Scooby Doo and even the Clampetts. Awards were given for the bowling tournament and costume contest. For the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Fort McMurray (Alberta, Canada), their Superhero themed Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser on February 19, 2011 at McMurray Bowl raised over $70,000. Participants came dressed as all types of superheroes; from comic book superheroes to Power Rangers and even Guitar Heroes. The fundraiser was a huge but bittersweet success: McMurray Bowl, the only bowling center in the area, was expected to close its doors. Arianna Johnson, volunteer president of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Fort McMurray, said “McMurray five-pin bowling has supported Bowl for Kids Sake for forever and a day, and we really appreciate all of their support.”
KEGEL AND LUCKY STRIKE LANES TEAM UP TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER Kegel and Lucky Strike Lanes have teamed up in the fight against breast cancer for the 2nd Annual Bowling for Breastcancer.org event. This fundraiser was held at the Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge in Manhattan. The goal for the event was to raise $500,000 to support Breastcancer.org, a global online resource for breast health and breast cancer information support. Kegel sent its one of a kind pink-painted lane machine to be used during the event. Kegel President Chris Chartrand said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Lucky Strike Lanes and help the organizers of this important event make it just a little more special.” After it tours the USBC Women’s Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, the pink lane machine will be auctioned off at the 2011 International Bowl Expo in June.
SHORTS
PEOPLEWATCHING
Kegel Announces Promotions Kegel announces the promotions of Terry Owens to Technical Sales Specialist and John Thrift to Technical Support Manager. Owens started with Kegel in 2000 in the core manufacturing division and quickly advanced to Quality Control Manager serving as the final inspector for all completed lane machines. Most recently, Terry Owens Owens has held the position of Supervisor for Kegel’s Tech Support Department and will now be extending his role to offer sales support on the outside assisting Distributors with sales, installations, and general service. Thrift, who has worked in the manufacturing department since 1999 in John Thrift the roles of Lane Machine Production Supervisor and Quality Control Manger, will assume the role of Technical Support Manager utilizing his depth of knowledge and commitment to Kegel’s quality standards.
New Owner for Western Lanes, Columbus OH Western Lanes, a 40-lane center in Columbus, Ohio offering a full range of leagues, birthday parties and lane rentals along with open bowling seven days a week, has a new owner. Mike Irwin purchased the center from Paul Cusmano. Irwin also owns Capri Lanes in Dayton, Ohio and is a partner in Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. Brokering the transaction was Sandy Hansell and Associates, Inc. of Southfield, MI.
You can be covered up,
but you can't hide! Forty years in hiding and all it took was an act of theft to reveal a little piece of lost history. A “Lucky Strike Bowling Alleys” sign was uncovered in downtown Birmingham, AL on the wall of the former Red Cross headquarters building. It was revealed when a thief tried to steal part of the building’s exterior. Even though the site of the old bowling alley is now just a parking lot, according to old city directories, the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley used to be located right next door to the Red Cross building from 1941 through 1948. Back in the forties it was just one of at least half a dozen bowling alleys that made up the unofficial bowling district of downtown Birmingham. Although the former Red Cross Headquarters was built in the 1940’s, its look was revamped in the 1970’s, which is probably when the sign was hidden by a stone façade. IBI
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SHORTS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Bumper Crop Response I read the article in the February issue of the International Bowling Industry with great interest. The advent of bumper bowling has been an important contribution to the enjoyment of bowling especially for youth participation. I would like to add a little information that was omitted probably because Gordon Murrey is not old enough, but his father would have remembered. The first test of the concept for keeping the bowling ball from its premature path to the gutter was, in fact, instituted by Brunswick in 1961. There were four test locations where a system of automatically turning the gutters to keep the ball on the lanes [was used] at least until it [ball] was at the area of the flat gutters. The turning of the gutters was done as a series of hydraulic jacks. Although the system worked, the upkeep of the automatic equipment and the initial cost were prohibitive. Further development was ceased due to other priorities at the time. Two of the test centers were King Louie East in Kansas City, Missouri and Holiday Lanes in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. I do not recall the other two locations. Congratulations to those who pursued the issue of increasing youth enjoyment of the great game of bowling. Bill Kratzenberg Retired, Brunswick Bowling Services Inc.
Kiss-controlled bowling, ooh la la! Look, no hands! Instead of driving all the way to your local bowling center, now you can practice your eye hand coordination using just your mouth. The new “kiss controller” Thomas Lodato and Sarah Puerto sample developed by Artist new game. Photo by Hye Yeon Nam. Hye Yeon Nam allows video game players to bowl using their “French” abilities to control the ball. With a magnet attached to one player’s tongue (with Fixodent!) and a head-set with magnetic sensors attached to the other player, two people can turn 20 seconds of a passionate kiss into a strike and, well, score! 8
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Media
WATCH
BRETT PARKER, BOWLMOR LANES, SPEAKS AT CONGRESS Brett Parker, Vice Chairman and CFO of Bowlmor Lanes headquartered in New York, testified before Congress at a hearing on the pressures of rising costs on employer-provided health care. Bowlmor started in Greenwich Village and has expanded to six locations in four states and
Photo credit: Ian Wagreich
grown from 50 employees to more than 500. He relayed that the new health care law will greatly hinder the ability of companies to expand and develop new venues and create new jobs. According to Steve Lutes of the ChamberPost blog, Parker told the panel, “We are the job creators; please, rebuild an environment that encourages, not suppresses, business growth, entrepreneurism, investment, and job creation.”
JOHN AMEND’S LUXURY BOWLING VISION Dallas businessman and bowling enthusiast John Amend was featured in Fortune magazine’s March 21 issue. His passion for bowling prompted him to build a ‘50s-style, four-lane bowling center, Bowl Vernon, at his $30 million estate called Mount Vernon, a replica of George Washington’s home, nestled on 10 hilltop acres above White Rock Lake in Dallas. However, having fun is not necessarily his primary focus. Amend, a commercial real estate broker, wants to remake the bowling industry image by creating an alternative bowling environment. He envisions building a chain of private bowling centers whose members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues. That would entitle them to bowl, dine, meet and connect with real life panache. He can even see some centers serving as anchors for residential communities. According to Fortune, his twostory complexes would cost about $15 million each, and he looks forward to breaking ground for the first one during 2011.
CENTER STAGE
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Photo by Michael John Grist
CENTER STAGE
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verything about the setting was unusual in the grandest way: from the ravaged cars outside to the piles of discarded shoes to the stripped out floors littered with Pachinko balls, the pinball-slot machine hybrid like game that has been a staple of so many Japanese amusement halls. “When I was there, the birds nesting in the ruins flew up and spiraled around me,” recalls Michael John Grist of his visit to the Kanagawa Toyo Bowl in Tokyo. “I would have liked to have gotten that. You don’t see birds flying around a bowling alley normally. “I don’t want to take photos of what a bowling alley might look like after hours,” he adds. “I want to take pictures of ruins, stripped alleys, smashed bowling balls: all the things I’ve never seen before and things I feel most viewers have never seen.” Grist, who grew up in the north of England, settled in Japan to feed his interest in the exploration of ruins. Reading about the abandoned Kanagawa Toyo Bowl, a now rotting behemoth that once housed 108 lanes, Grist sat down in the quiet darkness to commune with what had once housed an arcade, a restaurant, gift shop and a day care area. Grist eventually took out his tripod and got to work. “It’s partly some kind of a spiritual feeling you get from a dead bowling alley. People used to come here. People had fun here. Families came here,” says Grist. “Sitting there, I think there is something to be felt.” Bay Area photographer Amy Heiden didn’t have quite as much opportunity as Grist to
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Photo by Amy Heiden
Photos by Michael John Grist
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commune with the spirit of the abandoned alley near a military base in Stockton, California. After Heiden had spent about 30 minutes --enough time to poke around and snap a couple of evocative shots -- a security guard came by and chased her out. The facility was still in fair shape, reports Heiden who recalls imagining military personnel visiting the alley in uniform and relaxing there while off duty. “It’s always pretty visceral walking into a place like this,” says Heiden. “We came in through the back door and right off we saw the innards of a pin machine. I find beauty in things that are decayed or have been abandoned.” Heiden, who takes a strong professional interest in abandoned buildings, learned about the alley – which she declines to name – both online and through word of mouth from fellow photographers who had been to the site. “A lot of interesting things are left behind,” she says of the long abandoned buildings she frequents. “Documents, photographs, machinery. As a society, we’re so much about tearing things down and building something new. Places are going away quickly. That’s another reason they intrigue me.” As ruins go, this one was still in relatively good shape: no graffiti, not a lot of clutter. Still the accumulating layer of dust on the chairs, floors and lanes speaks volumes. Heiden titled her shot – fittingly -- “Gutter Ball,” a procedure she is all too familiar with the couple of times each year when she bowls. “I thought about what a horrible game I would probably have had if I played there,” she says. “That’s probably a bad thing to admit in a bowling magazine.” Built into the side of a mountain, the former Bömisches Brauhaus in Berlin is a one time brewery building that was converted into a sports center. When he visited the abandoned center. Keith Thorne, who describes his work as urban exploration, entered via some planks through an old skylight, dropping down onto an old basketball court. “The place was built as a brewery and somehow they managed to squeeze a bowling alley between warehouses and board rooms,” says Thorne. “The floors don’t really match up. There’s this strange staircase between floors and, and then you’re walking into the bowling alley, and your jaw drops. The first thing you think is, ‘holy cow, there’s this site
CENTER STAGE Photo by Keith Thorne
right in the middle of Berlin.’” “Your next thought is, ‘OK, OK. Let’s get the camera out, and the tripod up, and let’s shoot this thing.’’” The 19th century building with its columns and classical arches gives Thorne’s photos a colorful, almost pop art-ish look. The Bömisches with its long corridor and brightly colored graffiti almost looks like a train station. Dennis Gerbeckx, another Berlin-based photographer who shot the same site, used black and white. “It’s a question of trying to capture what was there before, capture maybe the hypnotical grandeur of the place,” says Thorne. “The structure, the arches the columns and how that interacts with the conversions.” “The atmosphere inside felt kind of magic,” agrees Gerbeckx. “All the traces inside this derelict (site) tell stories, and you can imagine very easy how it must have been when it was ‘alive.’ Nothing had to be staged for a photo. It´s like it is!” ❖
Evan Henerson is a features and lifestyle journalist who lives in Los Angeles. His work has appeared in TV Guide, American Theatre, Orange Coast and the Los Angeles Daily News where he was a staff writer and critic for nine years.
Photo by Dennis Gerbeckx IBI
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COVER STORY
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COVER STORY Michael Goldman he unorthodox concept that eventually became Pinstripes first percolated into the mind of Dale Schwartz about 25 years ago. That’s when the Cleveland native says he “gave some serious consideration” to purchasing a bowling alley in Manhattan. Eventually, he and a couple of friends decided against it for various reasons, and Schwartz moved on to decades of entrepreneurial business success. But what Schwartz calls “the original thought” he had about the bowling business in the 1980’s never quite left him. That thought was this—why not combine bowling and fine, upper-scale dining together in a sophisticated way? He’s now doing it with three Pinstripes venues—two in the suburbs of Chicago and one in a suburb of Minneapolis. All are built on the notion that bowling, fine dining, the event business, and even the sport of Bocce could be merged into a reasonably priced, but highly sophisticated, entertainment experience for consumers.
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COVER STORY Novel Concept But getting to the point of making that 1980’s dream a reality first required a lengthy journey through the business world for Schwartz. “I just wasn’t ready to pursue the idea back then,” Schwartz says. “I knew of a number of different concepts at the time in the bowling industry, and I continued to watch the industry closely for the next couple of decades. Periodically, I would mention to friends and family this Pinstripes concept. It was always well received, and everyone kept saying that, one day, I should go ahead and do it.” Meantime, after founding and running an asphalt sealcoating company, working for an investment bank, completing his MBA at the Harvard Business School, working for a venture capital firm, and serving as CFO of a biotechnology company, Schwartz co-founded Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Inc. in 2000 and served as its CEO until 2006. He calls Pharmaca “an integrated pharmacy concept,” meaning its chain of pharmacies in the Western United States simultaneously offers both traditional pharmaceutical products and services and natural products that, historically, have been sold in separate stores. “It was a novel healthy pharmacy concept,” he says. “And that experience once again spurred my interest in bowling and entertainment, with the idea that we could redefine this industry in a similar way. That was about five or six years ago. I just felt life was too short, so maybe I should pursue the dream I had 25 years ago, and finally do something exciting with bowling and entertainment.” What’s exciting about Pinstripes is not just the concept and the execution, but the fact that Schwartz has managed to grow and expand it to three venues, with more in the planning stages, in a rough economy and in a region that is “well saturated in terms of lane inventory,” in the words of Kurt Harz, VP of Capital Sales for Brunswick in Chicago.
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Harz and others on the Brunswick team have worked closely with Schwartz, as Brunswick has been the equipment provider for the three Pinstripes’ venues over the last few years. He has known Schwartz for several years, and has no interest in restraining himself when describing Schwartz’s contribution to the industry. He insists Schwartz is “as big a visionary as I have ever run around with, and I’ve been doing this 35 years with Brunswick.” The reason for his enthusiasm over Schwartz personally and Pinstripes generally is the nature of the idea Schwartz hatched all those years ago, his boldness in taking a risk on an unorthodox concept, and making a success of it during a period of great economic turmoil. Pinstripes launched in Northbrook, Illinois, in 2007, expanded into South Barrington, Illinois, in 2008, and most recently, opened up a new facility in Edina, Minnesota in late 2010. According to Harz, Schwartz gambled on a rare, multi-tiered concept that relies as much on the gourmet dining experience and the event business as it does on bowling and Bocce. (Indeed, the Pinstripes’ motto is “Bowling, Bocce, Bistro”). In other words, Harz credits Schwartz with coming up with something entirely unique, of extremely high quality, that is nevertheless, affordable for discriminating consumers who are being more judicious than ever about what to spend their entertainment dollars on. “He’s very entrepreneurial—he just felt there was a
COVER STORY niche waiting to be occupied for this type of entertainment venue in the marketplace,” Harz says. “Dale produced a unique combination venue under one roof—gourmet food, Bocce, and bowling. In a sense, food and beverage are the draw, and Bocce and bowling are complimentary. Combining bowling and Bocce was strategic. (Schwartz) had visited some Bocce courts, but felt the sport didn’t have enough legs by itself, without food and more. So he added food and bowling, and felt that demographic would give him a much stronger customer base.” “Bocce and bowling share lots of elements, obviously,” Schwartz adds. “The rolling of the ball element, the competition, and the idea of good, clean community fun. But, for me, the real rationale for including Bocce was, first of all, to make us a bit more distinctive than having only the bowling component. And second of all, it allows us to accentuate the duality of Italian-American food and wine with the Bocce and bowling component.”
Multiple Components Thus, the three Pinstripes locations are, essentially, fine Italian-American themed restaurants supplemented by bowling lanes, Bocce courts, leather couches, fire pits, Italian-themed artwork, outdoor patio dining, fine wine, music, and a whole lot more. (The Northbrook facility is 38,000 square feet and features 18 bowling lanes and six Bocce courts; the South Barrington facility is 39,000 square feet, and has 20 lanes and 10 Bocce courts; and the Edina Pinstripes is 32,000 square feet with 16 lanes and six Bocce courts.) The nature of the three facilities has evolved Pinstripes into a company that is very active on the local event circuit—a smart business move, but a strategic tradeoff because it can sometimes mitigate use of the facilities by traditional league bowlers. All told, the nature of Pinstripes gives Schwartz lots of components to manage that separate the three locations from traditional bowling centers across the region. “It’s meant to be unique and different, and to intentionally break with some of the stereotypes of traditional bowling facilities in terms of the food served that might not be on par with quality restaurant establishments,” he says. “It’s an environment or an experience, and we do go to extraordinary lengths to choreograph and manage all those various pieces. We work with, and enjoy, leagues and clubs that bowl with us, but we are trying to cater to a wider spectrum of the community.”
As a result, Pinstripes venues have service people and managers who have worked in major entertainment facilities like Houston’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurants around the country, and chefs trained at top culinary schools. Indeed, the fine dining aspect has grown so important that some customers at the three venues regularly stop by just for lunch or dinner, whether or not they have time or the desire to bowl or play Bocce. Still, from the day the first Pinstripes opened in Northbrook in 2007, Schwartz had no illusions about the fact that he was taking a significant risk. And it was a risk that grew exponentially in the last three years as major economic upheavals rocked the nation and forced his industry, and others, to cut back dramatically. “Any business venture is a risk, and certainly with the size and scale of what we’re doing, there were some substantial money and other risks involved,” he says. “Even in a good economy, this is not an easy business, because it has a lot of complicated pieces. But my business background was helpful in that regard. It’s all in the manner of how you structure the business and the team you put together. We did have to be on the top of our game in the Chicago market relative to the number of quality restaurants, quality bowling, and other entertainment available IBI
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in that area. We did it right, and that gave us confidence we could repeat that success elsewhere. “The original planning for Pinstripes really got going in about 2005, well before the economy turned sour. But the truth is, even if we had known about the (looming recession), it would not have changed the original premise. Then, once the difficult times came, as with other businesses, the strong actually got stronger while the weak got weaker. So we were able to buck the trend nicely and keep our focus on our high standards of service, food elements, and entertainment, and it’s worked out.” Indeed, it’s worked out so well that Schwartz added the Edina Pinstripes in November of 2010 with plans for more. When Pinstripes expanded into Minnesota, the move came after an evaluation process looking at developments and locations across the nation. Schwartz felt that Minneapolis’ proximity to Chicago, similar Midwestern culture, weather, and familiarity to himself and his team would bode well for launching a new Pinstripes. Now, Schwartz continues to plan what he calls “opportunistic growth” into other markets. “Certainly, you expand carefully and selectively, and aware of the economy and the general market, but we definitely expect to keep growing,” he says. “Exceptional service, a quality team, fair prices, great food, and unique entertainment is always a good formula if you know how to organize and choreograph everything.” ❖
Michael Goldman is a veteran print and online journalist who, over the last 30 years, has covered sports, business, entertainment, technology, and media for a wide range of publications and web sites. For more on his work, visit his web site at www.michael-goldman.com.
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FOOD AND BEVERAGE
ByDavePavesic
Changing the menu can make– and maybe break–F&B. Here’s how to evaluate items before you put them on the bill of fare. very time a new menu item is added, it will impact the following operational aspects of your F&B: 1. printing the menu; 2. equipment capacity and production; 3. preparation and service staff; 4. purchase specifications; 5. recipes in use; 6. average check; 7. food cost; 8. gross profit per menu item.
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That is a lot of impact. Ask yourself, why are you even considering adding this menu item? If customers are openly asking for the item and demand is greater than supply, the menu item becomes a “specialty good” in the economic sense, and can be priced higher than if it is a “commodity.” “Commodity” menu items–identical or similar items that several F&B operations in your market area offer–are typically moderately priced. So, are you adding the new item to be competitive with other F&Bs or is it a potential specialty item? Will your current customers order it? Will it broaden customer appeal and bring in new customers? Or are you adding the item to: · appeal to customers mindful of dietary issues such as nutrition, low carbohydrates, low fat, or low calories? · achieve a price point necessary to build customer counts (as you may do with early-bird specials)? · respond to a fad or trend in your market for a particular ingredient or menu item? · replace a poor-selling or seasonal menu item? Whatever your reasons–and these can all be good reasons, depending on
FOOD AND BEVERAGE your circumstances–each new menu item should be evaluated relative to the kitchen staff and the existing equipment. If you feel the item gives your F&B a competitive advantage in the market, examine the recipe and consider the following 11 steps to assess the item for your pricing, production, and presentation practices before you add it to the menu. For the steps in a handy checklist, see page 43.
1. INVENTORY AND PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS. Are the key ingredients already in inventory or are they expensive additions? Can you maintain quality control over the raw ingredients from storage to final preparation or are the ingredients extremely perishable, e.g., fresh fish and seafood products? 2. COST AND AVAILABILITY OF INGREDIENTS. Are the key ingredients readily available from more than one supplier at relatively constant cost? Does the availability and quality remain consistent year around? If the item is seasonal or subject to sudden price fluctuations or supply is uncertain, placing it on your regular menu may not be in order, especially if your menu is printed by a commercial printer. In this case, table tents, menu clip-ons, menu boards or server suggestions should be used. 3. USE OF INGREDIENTS. Can the main ingredients be used in other menu items or will they be only used in the new menu item? Crossutilization of ingredients is important, especially when the main ingredients are expensive and perishable. For Example, if fresh shrimp is an ingredient, other menu items using the same shrimp should be developed to assure frequent turnover of perishable ingredients. Do you have to build quality control loss costs into the food cost to maintain proper margins? 4. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. Can the new item be made with the present equipment or does specialized equipment need to be purchased, like a panini grill? Are all of the pots, pans, and utensils already on hand to produce the item in the quantities needed? Do you have proper and adequate space for dry, refrigerated, and freezer storage? Do you have the space in the production area to process the ingredients? Does the menu item require different flatware to make a great plate
presentation when served to customers? In some cases, a special platter or plate can enhance the presentation and appeal of the item. 5. STAFF REQUIREMENTS. Can the item be produced with your present staff? How labor-intensive is the preparation? Can it be produced without overloading a particular station? Do you need to conduct training and purchase additional equipment and utensils? Do not allow your staff or equipment to keep a new menu item from being added to your menu. Train them and purchase the needed equipment. 6. SCRATCH PREPARATION OR CONVENIENCE-FOOD INGREDIENTS. This is perhaps the key issue you need to address. Will the item be made in-house or purchased prepared or in processed form? If you do not have the necessary equipment or space, or if preparation from scratch would be time-consuming and beyond the ability of your staff, purchasing convenience products can solve both issues. Labor-intensive processing that can be outsourced makes perfect sense and should not be a reason for concern. Processed ingredients like pre-cut vegetables and meats will cost a little more per unit of purchase than unprocessed bulk ingredients. In other words, the as-purchased unit of cost (AP) will be more than the cost of bulk ingredients. But you cannot just look at food cost. If you purchase bulk ingredients and process them in your kitchen, you may believe you have lower food costs but you must understand that you are incurring labor to process that food and must include the labor cost when calculating your production costs. That is why you must consider what we call the prime cost—the cost of food and labor combined. If you purchase pre-cut ingredients you will have a higher food cost and you should offset it with lower labor costs. If you do not reduce your labor, you will not realize any operational efficiencies of using pre-cut ingredients. For example, if you have a staff spending 24 hours a week cutting steaks and you begin purchasing pre-cut steaks,
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FOOD AND BEVERAGE you have to eliminate the 24 hours per week you were scheduling an employee to cut the steaks. If you do not, no savings will result. There may be circumstances where you will choose to process major ingredients yourself and purchase labor-saving equipment to do the job. For example, if your F&B features a huge salad bar with dozens of choices, you may find it cost-efficient to purchase an automatic food processor that shreds, chops, and dices vegetables for the salad bar rather than purchase them pre-cut. This assumes that your kitchen has the space for this workstation. However, you have to assess whether the cost savings outweigh having to take time to purchase the ingredients, the amount of storage space you will require, the labor for processing, the employee-related issues such as hiring, training and scheduling additional staff, and how the quality and consistency of what is being produced will compare to what you can purchase already processed. 7. IMPACT OF PREPARATION AND COOKING ON SERVICE. Each menu item must be evaluated as to how it will impact the flow of product and flow of work during your peak periods. Can the menu item be prepared for service in the time frame that has been established for all other menu items, e.g., 13 minutes from the placement of the order to pickup by wait staff? Will the item require partial cooking to meet those times, and does the quality of the finished product prepared this way still meet your quality standards? Par-cooking–that is, pre-cooking–of ingredients may be necessary to meet the time limits of cooking to achieve service goals. Again, this is normal in the restaurant business. Many entrée and accompaniments are cooked ahead of time and reheated for service. Barbequed baby back ribs and roast chicken are two examples. These items cannot be cooked to order. 8. APPROPRIATENESS OF THE ITEM. Is the item appropriate for your menu and F&B theme? This
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particular point is not as strict as perhaps it once was because menus now are offering all types of ethnic foods. However, adding menu items that go beyond the scope of your concept and are added to broaden your restaurant’s customer-base needs to be carefully considered. 9. APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PRICE POINT. Price points normally should not be higher than competitor’s prices, especially if they specialize in that particular type of menu item. Within your own operation, does the price point fit in with your other menu items? Will the price-point raise or lower your overall average check? Will the price point be acceptable to your customers? If you have to sell the new item at a price that is 50% more than your current average menu price, it will not likely be ordered. This holds true not only for entrées, but for appetizers, salads, and desserts as well. On the other hand, you certainly do not want to add something lower than your existing menu offerings (unless you are doing it for a limited promotion, e.g., early bird special) because it will lower your overall check average. The only way to make up for lower average checks is to increase your customer counts. 10. EFFECT ON REVENUE. What is the desired food cost on the menu item? What is the desired gross profit return on the menu item? Do the food cost and gross profit numbers improve or reduce your menu’s average? Just as you need to assess the impact of new menu items on your prices, so must you assess them against your overall food cost percentage and your gross profit return. In the best of both, you want to lower food cost and raise gross profit. If an item returns a high gross profit and has a lowering impact on food cost, it should be featured on your menu. 11. REPRINTING THE MENU. The addition of new menu items means that you need to reprint your menu. This is a time for you to redesign the menu to be a better marketing, cost control and communication tool. You will want to feature the new menu item on your menu so customers will notice it and increase the odds that it will be ordered. ❖ Reprinted courtesy of Restaurant Startup & Growth magazine, © 2008, all rights reserved. Dave Pavesic has been an entrepreneur and corporate officer in the restaurant and food service industry for over 35 years. He has taught at the university level for more than 28 years and is currently the senior professor in the School of Hospitality, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, Atlanta. He is the author of several books and consults on all aspects of restaurant operations. Direct questions about your food service operation to him at info@bowlingindustry.com.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE NEW MENU ITEM CHECKLIST New Menu Item Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Menu Description ________________________________________________________________________________ Menu Category Appetizer ________
Entrée ________
Salad ________
Side Dish ________
Dessert ________
Sandwich ________
Other ________
Describe ________________________________________________________________________
Reason for Addition Broaden Customer Base ________ Chefʼs Choice ________
Promotional Purposes ________
Ownerʼs Choice ________
Managerʼs Choice ________ Compatibility to Restaurant’s Concept & Personality High ________ Medium ________ Low ________ Recipe Costs Show cost of recipe by ingredients Proposed Menu Price ________ Target Food Cost Percentage ________ Target Gross Profit ________ Estimated Number of Portions Sold Per Meal Period ________ Competing Menu Items on Current Menu Menu Item ________________ Portions Sold ________ Menu Item ________________ Portions Sold ________ Main Ingredient(s) ______________________________________________ Bulk Ingredients ___________ Processed Ingredients ______________ Costs: _______________________________________________________ Availability & Substitutions ________________________________________ Primary Vendor Sources ____________________________________________ Perishability High _______ Medium ________ Low _________ Alternative Uses in Kitchen ___________________________________________ Inventory Issues: Purchase Units/Quantities ____________________________ Secondary ingredients needed and not currently stocked __________________________________________________ Costs, quantities and alternative uses of secondary ingredients _____________________________________________ Preparation Issues Special Equipment, Utensils, Pots or Pans Needed ______________________________________________________ Preparation Time (rough prep)_______________________________________________________________________ Cooking Time (cooking for service) ____________________________________ Staff Capability to Produce High ______ Medium ______ Low ______ Employee who will prepare item _____________________________________ Product Flow Impact: Low ______ Medium ______ High ______ Service Issues Flatware Requirements _________________________
Service Requirements _________________________
Other Issues Menu Printing Cost Impact: Low ________ Medium _______ High ________ Comments _____________________________________________________________________________________ Recommendations
_________________ Add to Menu
_________________ Do Not Add to Menu
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WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME
By Joan Taylor
Y
ou wouldn't know it to look at him. Then again, when do diabetics have a sign on their shirt that says “I am a diabetic?” In a manner of speaking, that's exactly what Ryan Shafer, Horseheads NY, an exempt bowler on the Professional Bowlers Tour does. In 2010 the PBA mandated that each bowler would wear a Geminimanufactured jersey in competition.
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WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME The players could “sell” sponsorships and have companies' names on the jerseys. After 25 years of managing his Type 1 diabetes, Shafer decided it was time to create awareness. “Well what happened was that Randy Pedersen talked about my pump during televised final rounds. After that, people at proams would approach me with their questions or maybe concerns about their children. The response was great.” He contacted Animas, a division of Johnson and Johnson, which manufactures the OneTouch®Ping® glucose management system he uses and got the go-ahead for them to join Storm bowling as a sponsor on his jersey. The name “Animas” is on the back of his shirt, and Storm is on the front. “Animas pays me a fee and I pay the PBA a percentage, similar to our product registration. I get asked constantly what Animas is. It's a good relationship. I do a lot of interviews, and get to talk to kids about diabetes and how they can live their lives better (despite their condition).” By definition, “animas” translates to mean “the inner self of an individual...the soul.” Shafer is living proof that diabetes does not have to limit anyone. Before the pump system was designed, Ryan had to test himself (with a finger stick) five to six times a day. He carried his stash of insulin shots to every tour stop and had to give himself 3-4 shots per day. But he never thought of it as a handicap. “When I was diagnosed I was just happy to know what was wrong. I had been thirsty all the time, lethargic, had lost 25 pounds, and frequented the restroom. I realize that if one takes care of oneself, diabetes is not a death sentence. But if there isn't proper care, you feel horrible.” Starting in the year 2000 Shafer's doctor convinced him to use insulin pump therapy. “My health was good, so I didn't want to use it at first. What changed my mind was when they (the PBA) changed the format the way we bowled. Friday you could conceivably bowl 3 rounds of match play in one day, at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and then 7 p.m.” The longer-format tournaments posed a problem in that “when I gave myself a shot, I had to eat. With that new schedule I would have been eating constantly when I bowled. With the pump making me more like a 'normal' person, I can change the rate (of insulin intake) when I exercise or bowl. It has made my life so much easier
Western Lanes Columbus, Ohio (40 lanes) We congratulate Mike Irwin on his purchase of this fine center and thank Paul Cusmano for trusting us to handle the sale. We wish Mike and Paul all the best in the future.
Bowling’s Only Full-Service Brokers, Appraisers & Financial Advisors 28200 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076
(800) 222 • 9131 Check out our current listings at www.SandyHansell.com.
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on tour. The pump delivers a basal rate (of insulin) throughout the day; when I eat my pump is programmed so that I can punch in the number of carbs I've eaten and it pumps out the right amount of insulin.” But there's more. After years of pricking his fingers to test his blood suger Shafer laments, “The fingertips on my right (bowling) hand have no feeling. Vise Grips invented a nubbed grip that helps me bowl better.” Four national PBA titles later, Shafer, 44, is still going strong. “When I'm not involved in appearances for Storm bowling I speak to groups about diabetes.” ❖ Thanks to Ryan Shafer, and Randy Pederson, there are many bowlers who've been exposed to the positive side of the sport.
Joan Taylor is a multi-award winning bowling writer based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
OFF THE CLOCK
Syncopated Rhythms: The Two Passions of Don Cargian
“
W
hen I retire, what I want to do is work in a bowling center.” He didn’t really say that but that’s exactly what Don Cargian did after he retired from Chronicle Guidance Publications in Moravia, New York. He and his wife GG moved to Green Valley, Arizona – warmer! Upon arrival in their new town, Don, an avid bowler all his life, went to the local bowling center and applied for a job. He has been a manager of Green Valley Bowling Center for the past 11 years although now comes in only on Tuesdays. Don loves the bowling business and his successful, second career as a center manager. When he is not passing out shoes or fixing the lanes, Don spends his other retirement time teaching and participating in country dancing. He and GG have been active in the country dancing community for 15 years. Of his dancing days, Don says, “Over the years we made many wonderful friends through the dancing and continue to enjoy many dancing friendships.” ❖
The Cargians teaching a country dance class
GG & Don Cargian, far left, performing in a parade. 50
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All photos courtesy of Don Cargian
GG & Don Cargian
SHOWCASE KEEP THE CASH FLOWING
Boost your bottom line with an ATM from ATM Network. Own it as a profit center, or see if you qualify for a free placement. An ATM makes you money, keeps customers onsite and reduces credit-card and bad-check expenses. ATM Network sells quality ATMs, backed by nationwide installation, wireless connections and outstanding customer service that’s been built over 15 years. Call 1.800.929.0228 or visit http://atmnetwork.net.
PARTY SOFTWARE
“Increase the profit for your Bowling Center, get PartyCenterSoftware.com today!”, says Rick Iceberg, owner of CJ Barrymore's Sports & Entertainment. PartyCenterSoftware.com is an online party booking and event management tool designed to increase party bookings and eliminate unnecessary labor costs. Included in the PCS suite of tools is a complete EPOS system, time clock, and vendor management feature. PartyCenterSoftware.com is marketed and sold by Agile Software and Marketing. 888-804-1164 or www.PartyCenterSoftware.com
SCORING UPGRADE
STATE-OF-THE-ART VENDING
MOBILE MARKETING
WOMEN SHIRTS
HITTING THE TARGET
KIDS WEBSITE
Brunswick Bowling introduces Vector Plus 5, which includes an updated user interface and a new scoring enhancement, uChoose. Only uChoose adds more fun to the game by allowing bowlers to select animation themes of their choice. Brunswick also introduces uChoose Media Manager, allowing you to easily create your own customized bowling environments and marketing messages for any type of customer. For more information, contact your Brunswick Representative, call 1-800YES-BOWL or 1-231-725-4966.
QubicaAMF Worldwide, the leading manufacturer of bowling and amusement products, makes a big step towards providing a better customer experience with an improved website. The updated site, which launched March 7th, is designed to appeal to specific users making it easier for potential bowling investors, developers and existing customers, including proprietors, managers and mechanics, to interact and do business with the company. Visit us at www.qubicaamf.com.
The Boys and Girls Club of Mission, SD recently acquired an 8 lane bowling center. Needing only 4 lanes but wanting to offer more and keep the bowling equipment in place for possible future use, they called GKM Int'l about the Profit Platform. Today, the center offers 4 lanes plus target shooting on the other 4 lanes. For more information on the Profit Platform go to www.profitplatform.biz or call GKM Int'l, LLC at 310-791-7092.
The EyePrize Machine is the latest top earning vending machine featuring state-of-the-art technology. Along with a built in skill game, The EyePrize Machine also dispenses a variety of licensed toys ranging from the hottest plush animals to most popular electronic gadgets. The EyePrize Machine won First Place for Best New Coin Operated / Redemption Product in 2009 due to the EyePrize Data System which provides owners with valuable marketing information. Call: 888-219-8500 or visit www.glowmachine.net/eyeprize/
CruisinUSA/Bowlingshirt.com has revamped the SuzieQ Ladies style bowling shirt. This super cute Ladies cut bowling shirt is now constructed with a 6.79 oz poly/rayon twill fabric. Soft hand, comfy Ladies fit styling. Super durable wash and wear fabric. Show off your curves on the lanes, at the lounge or on the street. Great uniform for nightclubs or restaurants. Shown here is the black/white style. Also available in red/black color combination. Sizing in women's small through 3X. St. Louis MO. Visit www.bowlingshirt.com
The BPAA announced the relaunch of the Bowlopolis website (www.Bowlopolis.com). The website, which went live Saturday, Feb. 24, was re-tooled by BPAA Webservices to be the destination of choice for introducing bowling to children 8 years-old and younger. At Bowlopolis.com children can interact with the world of Bowlopolis through games, puzzles, coloring pages and videos. Future plans for Bowlopolis.com call for hosting contests and keeping parents and kids updated on new DVD releases and other offerings. IBI April 2011
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SHOWCASE LASER LIGHTS
The Min Laser FX is an ultracompact, plug and play laser effect light that projects dozens of green stars and red laser beams onto any surface. Two convenient mounting stands and an infrared remote control are included to make set-up and operation a breeze. Fun sized and feature packed laser with 6 different looks for hours of excitement. Available from The Lighting Store at 888-746-5483 or visit www.thelightingstore.com.
LASER TAG
With over 450 systems installed worldwide, LaZer Runner is the industry's number one choice for laser tag equipment. We've sold more systems to date than all of our competition combined. We have the best electronics and warranty packages in the business. Combine this with our factory-direct pricing and we can offer the total package that serves our customers well. We've been around for 15 years. The market believes in our product. And so do our customers. www.LaZerRunner.com or 780.496.9058.
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ADJUSTABLE LIGHTNING ROD
The New Adjustable Tie Link allows you to change the angle of each row independently with three turnbuckle adjustment screws. Therefore, allowing you the ability to change the angle of each row in addition to the table legs and spotting cups themselves. Bowling Factory Outlet: 877-236-8505 or www.bowlingfactoryoutlet.com
SYNTHETIC PINS
Ebonite International, with IQ Bowling Industries have obtained worldwide distribution rights for Twister bowling pins, the sole USBC-approved synthetic pin on the market. The agreement was reached through negotiations with Jaeger Holding, Hanover, Germany, manufacturers of Twister pins. Now, Ebonite International is the only company with exclusive synthetic pin distribution as well as a manufacturer and distributor of wood pins from their Hopkinsville facility. Visit www.ebonite.com for more details.
DATEBOOK
APRIL 11-15 Bowling University Management Training Program Enroll: BowlingUniversity.net Kelly Bednar, 800-343-1329 Ext 8462. Email: Education@BPAA.com
16-19 Billiard and Bowling Institute of America Convention Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Sandestin, FL Contact BBIA: 800-343-1329 Answer@billiardandbowling.org
26-28 Foundations Entertainment University Dallas, TX www.FoundationsUniversity.com. Frank Seninsky, 732-254-3773, fseninsky@aol.com
MAY 2-6 GS Series Pinsetter Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
9-13 Vector Scorer Maintenance Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
16 Illinois State BPA Board of Directors Meeting Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Normal. Bill Duff, 847-982-1305, billduff@bowlillinois.com
23-25 BCA of Ohio State Convention & Trade Show Crowne Plaza, Dublin, OH Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
JUNE 6-8 Kansas State BPA Annual Meeting Courtyard by Marriott, Junction City, includes table top exhibits & KSBPA Hall of Fame inductions. Mary Thurber 913-638-1817
13-17 GS Series Pinsetter Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
20-24 Vector Scorer Maintenance Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
26-7/1 Bowl Expo Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, TX. 888-649-5685
JULY 11-12 Iowa BPA Summer Annual Meeting and Trade Show Econolodge, Newton, IA Jenny Duede, 515-255-0808, www.iowabpa.com
13-15 Intl Billiard & Home Recreation Expo Sands Expo & Convention Ctr. Las Vegas www.bcaexpo.com
18-22 GS Series Pinsetter Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
21 Montana BPA Annual Board and Membership Meeting Fairmont Hot Springs, MT Tom Brendgord t.brendgord@att.net
23-24 Oregon Bowling Summit Lincoln City, OR Christy Herman 877-567-6374
24 Illinois State BPA Board of Directors Meeting with Bowling Centers Association of Michigan Convention and Trade Show Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant, MI Bill Duff, 847-982-1305, billduff@bowlillinois.com IBI
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DATEBOOK
CLASSIFIEDS
25-29 Vector Scorer Maintenance Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
10-12 East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ Lee Ann Norton, 800-343-1329 Leeann@bpaa.com
SEPTEMBER
10-14 GS Series Pinsetter Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@burnbowl.com 800-937-2695
16-18 Wyoming Bowling Council Jamboree Hilton Garden Inn, Laramie WY Charlene Abbott kcabbott@bresnan.net
22 BCA of Ohio Executive Board Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus, OH Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
OCTOBER 2–4 West Coast Bowling Centers Convention Silver Legacy Hotel, Reno, NV Sandi Thompson, 925-485-1855 Sandi@norcalbowling.com IBI
4-5 Kansas State BPA Annual Meeting Pittsburg, KS Mary Thurber 913-638-1817
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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
17-21 Vector Scorer Maintenance Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695
26 Bowling Centers of Southern CA Annual Meeting Location TBD Scott Frager, 818-789-0900 Scottf@socalbowling.com IBI
NOVEMBER 9-10 BCA of Ohio Seminars & Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus, OH Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
Official magazine of the convention IBI
April 2011
USED BRUNSWICK PARTS, A2 parts and assemblies. Large Inventory. www.usedpinsetterparts.com. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-2556436 or jayhawkbowling.com. Pinsetter Parts New from ALL major manufacturers. HUGE IN STOCK inventory. USED Brunswick Scoring parts, AS90 cameras, processors, lane cables, monitors, and PC boards. Order online @ 888SBIBOWL.com or (888) 724-2695. The Mechanics Choice! REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751. For Sale: used pin decks. Buy one, get one FREE. 27” monitors for AccuScore Plus & XL Scoring. Also XL Scoring package. (641) 4141542. FOR SALE: Entire contents 8-lane center currently in operation & closing mid-May 2011. AMF 82-70 pinsetters. Twelve Strike scoirng, wood lanes w/ Lane shield, refrigertion equipment, pro shop equipment , 90 lockers. Will furnish complete list upon request. Steve (702) 293-2368 or ljjaa1414@yahool.com. FOR SALE: General Electric & National front end motors with gear boxes for AMF 82-70 pinsetters. Excellent condition! Call Brian (716) 715-3930 or Kevin (716) 807-2194.
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Phone (608) 764-1464. 30 used synthetic lanes & scoring. (616) 796-4769.
CENTERS FOR SALE
CENTERS FOR SALE 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.
CENTERS FOR SALE TEXAS, SE of Houston: 40-lane center in mid-sized market. Updated scoring, lanes, seating, masking units in 2007 plus remodeled bar. New roof. Includes RE. Bank owned. Ken Paton (503) 645-5630.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN: 12 lanes, auto scoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Great food sales. Yearly tournament. Attached, large 3 bedroom apartment w/ fireplace. $550K. (715) 223-8230. 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.
UPSTATE NEW YORK: 8-lane center/ commercial building built in 1992. Synthetic lanes, new automatic scoring, kitchen and room to expand! Reduced to sell @ $375,000. Call (315) 376-3611.
SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained 8-lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant. Includes business and real estate. Nice, smaller community. Owner retiring. $212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.
MARSHALL ELECTRONICS • Foul Units • Electronic Scoring Repair • Chassis Boards • AMF Accuscore Plus • Curtain Wall Chassis - $285 • Brunswick Scoring We repair all types of monitor boards. Call for a complete price list. 593 Loxley Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
732-240-6554 • 800-782-9494
www.merepair.webs.com
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE SOUTHERN INDIANA (close to Indianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick center with lounge, liquor license & movie theater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business. Owner retiring. Great investment! (765) 349-1312. ARIZONA, PAYSON: 16 LANES. Assume mortgage. Details @ http://rimcountry lanes.com/4sale.pdf. Bob (602) 377-6657.
BUY
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY
SEL L
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 - bpitx@texasonline.net
www.bowlingpartsandequipment.com
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: 16-lane center w/ synthetic lanes, 82-70s, 19,000 s/f building w/ lots of parking. Newly remodeled bar & large kitchen. Owner retiring. (530) 598-2133. NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Island region. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmic bowling, auto scoring. Established leagues + many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill @ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302. 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. 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. $1.2m. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089. www.majesticpine.com.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One of the top five places to move! Remodeled 32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1m gets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828) 253-0362. CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane center and restaurant in central Idaho mountains. Small town. Only center within 60-mile radius. Brunswick A-2 machines; Anvilane lane beds; automatic scoring. (208) 879-4448. SOUTHWESTERN WYOMING: 12 lanes + café & lounge, 2 acres w/ 5 bedroom home. Full liquor & fireworks licenses. Outside Salt Lake City area. Dennis @ Uinta Realty, Inc. (888) 804-4805 or uintarlt@allwest.net. 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. 56
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: 16-lane center REDUCED to $799,000 for quick sale. Synthetics, 82-70s, 19,000 s/f + parking. Newly remodeled bar, large kitchen. Owner retiring. Will consider selling only equipment or building. www.siskiyoulanes.com. (530) 598-2133. NORTHWEST LOUISIANA: 12-LANE Brunswick center. REDUCED TO SELL NOW! Includes auto scoring, glow bowling, pizza, large dining area & video poker. Good income. Long Lease. Great opportunity. Call Mike (318) 578-0772.
NW INDIANA (Lake Michigan/National Lake Shore area): Well-maintained 32lane center, family owned & operated since 1997 with spacious nightclub lounge on 6.6 acres. Also billiards, arcade, pro shop, full-service restaurant, established leagues, birthday party activity & MORE! Owner retiring. Reasonably priced. (219) 921-4999. CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full service restaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables, Karaoke machine, DJ system. Includes RE. (217) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net. EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI: 24-lane center with property included in high traffic area—well-maintained; solid business. Lease/purchase and/or owner financing available to qualified buyer. Email: yolo2011@yahoo.com.
I could not have gotten my loan without him. Bill Hanson All Star Lanes Fort Myers, Florida The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments
Ken Paton (503) 645-5630 www.kenpaton.com kpaton@kenpaton.com
LOCKER KEYS FAST! •Keys & Combo Locks for all Types of Lockers. •One week turnaround on most orders. •New locks All types •Used locks 1/2 price of new
All keys done by code #. No keys necessary.
E-mail: huff@inreach.com FAX YOUR ORDER TO US AT:
"Bowling Center Construction Specialists" New Center Construction Family Entertainment Centers Residential Bowling Lanes Modernization Mini Bowling Lanes Automatic Scoring CONTACT
BRIAN ESTES
(866) 961-7633 ( Office: 734) 469-4293
Toll Free:
Email: build@capitalbowlingservice.com
www.CapitalBowlingService.com
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
530-432-2933
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEY INTʼL 530-432-1027 Orange County Security Consultants
For FLORIDA CENTERS Call DAVID DRISCOLL & ASSOCIATES 1-800-444-BOWL P.O. Box 189 Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737 AN AFFILIATE OF SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES IBI
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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@earthlink.net Visit us on the WEB! http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/
CENTERS FOR SALE CENTRAL ALABAMA: Recently remodeled, split house w/24 synthetic lanes (16 & 8) in 28,000 s/f building in shopping center; Brunswick A2s & 2000 seating; AccuScore Plus; VIA returns & storage tables; systems for Cosmic; established leagues; snack bar, pro shop & game/pool table area. Nearest competition 28 miles w/ colleges & Honda factory within minutes. Need to sell due to health. Reasonably priced. (435) 705-0420.
CENTERS FOR SALE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: 16-lane center— Brunswick A-2s & JetBacks, snack bar, pro shop & lounge with 1,400 s/f apartment above. On 2.84 acres. Includes business & real estate. Good location! (618) 488-7858 or (618) 606-5053.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com. AMF 65-25 CHASSIS: Conversion, Repair, Replace & Exchange. Includes rewiring, requested repairs, conversion to MK 30 board system and converting chassis to new PR system where applicable. TOTAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. References available. CHASSIS DOCTORS (330) 314-8951.
NE NEVADA: New 2001. 16 lanes, 19,200 square feet, 1.68 acres paved, sound & lighting, lounge w/ gaming, arcade, full service snack bar & pro shop. Call (775) 934-1539.
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
SELL YOUR CENTER (818) 789-2695
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Still sanding after all these years! If you still have wood, trust your lanes to Langlo Bowling Supply Inc. Next year, the Langlo name will be in the business for 100 years. Call Jeff Langlo (727) 919-4475. He has been on every job since 1971. Call for new synthetic. Call for repairs on wood & synthetic. Call for recoats. Will go ANYWHERE!
CLASSIFIEDS MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Immediate Installation. $5,900.00 & up. 2021 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com
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CLASSIFIEDS
SERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • Frameworx NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS
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
Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576
291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940 on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695
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CLASSIFIEDS POSITION WANTED Wanted – job as a manager for a bowling center. 30+ years experience in all phases of running a center. Great references, reliable and trustworthy. Seeing is believing! Call Ed (515) 771-7606. Please leave a message.
MANAGER WANTED Citizen Potawatomi Nation & the NEW Firelake Bowling Center are seeking a customer service related manager to run our brand new state of the art facility. Experience a MUST. Complete applications at www.firelakejobs.com. For more info please contact HR Dept @ (405) 275-3121.
MECHANIC WANTED A mechanic with 5+ years experience. Salary DOE. (509) 953-5810.
Sell Your Center or Eqpt.
Fast! (818) 789-2695 IBI
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REMEMBER WHEN
1946 1
946 and what were we doing when we were so rudely interrupted? The war was over and people from all walks of life were looking for fun. They wanted something that was not too expensive, didn’t take too much expertise for the average joe and could include everyone on a night out. Bowling was the answer. The February 5, 1946 issue of Look magazine focused on the upcoming A.B.C. (American Bowling Congress) annual tournament with a peak at the style that made Joe Falcaro, one of the “greatest keglers of all time, famous. The first A.B.C. tournament was in 1901 and consisted of 464 entries who competed for $1,592 in prize money. In 1942, there were 76,179 participants for $254,704! Now that the war was over, the games would begin again in March with a 50-day play-off for the world’s individual and team championships. Joe Falcaro epitomized the best the game had to offer. During the war he devoted his efforts and talents to GI exhibitions. He owned centers, authored a book and created records that wowed crowds all over the world. Look’s pictorial “How to” would have been a popular segment for all the wanna-bes and the last line would not only create a smile on the reader but a confirmation of what they already knew. “Grey-haired, volatile and disarmingly immodest, he frankly admits he’s the greatest bowler he has ever seen. …” ❖
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