CONTENTS
VOL 20.5
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
8 ISSUE AT HAND
28 MEMORY LANE
Addicted to Bowling
Dream Team Building a bowling center “dream team”
By Scott Frager
By Paul Lane
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Chris Holmes holmes@bowlingindustry.com
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Gregory Keer keer@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
CONTRIBUTORS
10 SHORTS AND MEDIA WATCH
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• LaVerne Carter Remembered • QubicaAMF and Bowltech join forces • Zot and Bowl-Star • One center closing is a lesson learned • Scott Bennett
30 PROFILE Gadget Guy Bill Lish is bowling’s gadget guy and makes it accessible to all By Mark Miller
Robin Breuner David Forsyth Patty Heath Chris Holmes Paul Lane George McAuliffe Mark Miller Jackie Wyckoff
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424
FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
35 REMEMBER WHEN 1964
16 A GLANCE BACK
Bowling, Fun and Winston
www.BowlingIndustry.com
Celebrity Lanes The concept and how it all began By David Forsyth
HOTLINE: 888-424-2695 30
39 BEYOND BOWLING SPECIAL SECTION • Andy Bartholomy transforms his bowling business • Bowling FEC 101 • GPNY: An interview with Bill Diamond
20 COVER STORY X Marks The Spot Bowling by the Bay is back in a big way By Robin Breuner
36 Showcase 52 Datebook 53 Classifieds 39
Cover photo courtesy of Lucky Strike 6
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12655 Ventura Boulevard Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 789-2695(BOWL) Fax (818) 789-2812 info@bowlingindustry.com
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 2012, 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
Addicted to Bowling Last month I announced, teased really, that something big was happening with me and with my company, B2B Media, Inc. I hinted that after 19 years of publishing IBI and a half dozen managing the Bowling Centers of Southern California, my professional search for bowling “nirvana” was not complete. And while I couldn’t share the exact details last month, I am so excited to be able to announce, formally, that my company and I were brought aboard to manage Pinz Bowling Center, an amazing 32-lane facility located in Studio City, CA. The opportunity could not be any more perfect. I had been exploring the possibilities of expanding my company for some time. We’ve looked to grow by starting a new publication, acquisition of another publication as well as other concepts. But, at the end of the day, none felt quite right. However, this opportunity is
different. It makes perfect sense to all parties. Needless to say, I am thrilled to be able to learn about the industry from a totally new perspective. As publisher and editor of IBI, I will be able to use what I learn on the lanes, behind the reception desk and in the back office to assure that IBI continues its mission as the premier source for relevant and compelling content to the trade. As executive director of the Bowling Centers of Southern California, I will now be able to put local, state and national programs into place and get a better feel for what works, what doesn’t and why. As General Manager for Pinz, I will be able to use all of the knowledge and skillsets learned above to help Pinz continue to grow as one of the premier bowling centers in southern California. By the time this is delivered to your door, International Bowling Industry magazine and the Bowling Centers of Southern California will have moved offices to Pinz. You can check out our new contact information online at www.BowlingIndustry.com. We are officially all bowling, all of the time. My staff and I are truly, officially and cheerfully addicted to bowling!
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com Facebook’s Bowling Fan started in the West, but let’s not keep it a secret! It states right at the very beginning, “A place for bowlers to gather and discuss the sport they love—BOWLING!” As bowling business aficionados, we should load that baby up! Make it a leading Facebook page full of all things bowling: photos, contests, customers we love, high scores, and of course centers, centers, 8
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centers! Your center. So go ahead and post, view and “like”—a world of “likes” in a world of bowling. Don’t be shy. Upload, upload, upload.
GOODWILL CENTRAL
SHORTS So much community activism within the bowling industry and so little space to acknowledge each and every center, however, below are a few of the more unique fundraisers held around the country during the past month. Take a look; be inspired! • “Bowling for the Dogs,” helping Guide Dogs of America, was held at Hazel Bowl, Hazelwood, MO. • Gravity Alley, Honesdale, Pa, hosted an event benefitting autism research. • Valencia Lanes, Valencia, CA, was the venue for a fundraiser for Pleasantview Industries, a local, non-profit which helps individuals with developmental disabilities. • Hope for Horses, the fifth annual fundraiser to help stop horse cruelty took place at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, WA. • Spanda Inc., a local non-profit covering optometry and other health care needs hosted its first ever “Frame by Frame” bowling tournament to support concussion awareness for area athletes. It was held at May City Bowl in Cedar Rapids, IA. With all the publicity that the documentary, “Bully,” has fortunately stirred, Nutmeg Bowl in Fairfield, CT, is helping to get the word out. The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County hosted a family event which aimed to educate children and teens about the dangers of bullying. The Minuteman News Center pointed out that this year, 18 million children will be bullied; 160,000 students in the U.S. will refuse to go to school each day due to physical and verbal aggression of their peers; suicide rates among adolescents have grown more than 50 percent in the past 30 years. Marie Francescani, an event committee member, said, “Bullying is a very important issue, and the earlier kids understand how harmful it is, the better.”
TV CHEF GIVES OUT HIGH MARKS FOR DISTINCTIVE BOWLING CENTER FOOD Host of TV’s “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” touts the food of Central Ohio’s boutique Ten Pin Alley along with three bowling chains. The April edition of Food Network magazine and Chef Anne Burrell shared some outstanding bowling center food with recipes to boot! To celebrate her recent book, Cook Like a Rock Star, Burrell bowled at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge in New York City. She also shared some upscale takes on old favorites. Chef Andy Shelley at Ten Pin Alley and Spikes of Hilliard, OH, achieves the perfect “Alley Fries” with balsamic glaze. Bowlmor shared “Big Dish O’ Nachos” from Chef David Burke. Lucky Strike’s Chef Bill Starbuck offered “Apple and Brie Quesadillas.” The final bravo went to 10
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Splitsville and Chef Tim Cushman of O Ya restaurant in Boston with his “Beef Sliders with Horseradish Cream.” Excuse me, I have to go EAT!!!!
Ten Pin Alley’s Alley Fries with balsamic glaze are a game changer.
Letter to Our Readers...Oops In the April 2012 issue under Goodwill Central, we touted the “Pens & Pins” Charity Bowling Tournament held at Crafton-Ingram Bowling Lanes. This was the fourth annual event organized and run by the Pittsburgh Penguins Wives Association, with all proceeds including funds collected from an auction and baked goods, being donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia. $54,000 was raised. It was brought to my attention that I referred to the Penguin hockey team as the Philadelphia Penguins. You would think I would have caught that as I am a hockey fan. Needless to say, the Penguins are the Pittsburgh Penguins and many kudos should go both to them and Crafton-Ingram Bowling Lanes for this outstanding event. My apologies, Patty Heath
U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN’S “OFFICIAL THIRST QUENCHER” The BPAA announced that it has partnered with PepsiCo and 100% Natural Lipton Iced Tea making Lipton the “Official Thirst Quencher” of the 2012 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open. “This is a tremendous partnership between two great brands—PepsiCo’s iconic Lipton Iced Tea and the brand of bowling,” said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA. “The all-natural ingredients found in 100% Natural Lipton Iced Tea make it the perfect beverage choice to satisfy our athletes during this year’s hot competition under the bright lights of Reno.” With competition open to all female youth and adult bowlers, the U.S. Women’s Open will culminate in a finals event on June 27 underneath the famous Reno Arch in downtown Reno during International Bowl Expo 2012 and airing on ESPN2.
SHORTS
Scott Bennett shares his thinking cap with Michigan’s Association Impact magazine Scott Bennett, executive director of Independent Bowling and Entertainment Centers Association in Michigan snagged the January/February cover of Association Impact published by the Michigan Society of Association Executives. Editor Carla Kalogeridis’ article “Passageway to the Creative Solution” begins “When it comes to launching new member programs and initiatives, it’s impossible for an association leader to get it right every time. But then again, maybe you’re not supposed to.” This is the mantra of David Kord Murray in his book Borrowing Brilliance which suggests that trial-and-error is actually the avenue to the creative solution to any need or problem. Bennett in his role of executive director has regularly adopted this approach. “You have to try different routes to overcome problems.” Directing an association of bowling proprietors is fraught with challenges, and Bennett opens up on how he uses creative thinking to find solutions.
DEMISE OF A LANDMARK BECOMES A LESSON Riverside Bowl in Camas, WA, met its end in flames. However, these flames were not an accident but purposefully set as part of a training exercise put on by the CamasWashougal consolidated fire department. It was one of the largest practice burns conducted in the area with 25 to 30 firefighters taking part. Riverside Bowl had had a colorful past starting in 1947 when it opened as Wagon Wheel Park, a skate and dance hall, on Photo by Nick Swinhart, Camas, WA, Fire Chief the banks of the Washougal River. It was “the” place to be on Friday and Saturday nights. Besides local groups entertaining, guest performers included country music singer and actor Tex Ritter; pianist and band leader Stan Kenton; and singer Willie Nelson, who worked at the time as a disc jockey at a radio station in Portland. It was purported that Willie got his start at the Wagon Wheel. In the late 50s, the building was sold and new owners reopened it as Riverside Bowl which it remained until 2007 when it closed its doors. No closing is a good closing. However, this one matched the excitement that each venue brought. Wagon Wheel/Riverside Bowl rest in peace. Story credit: Mark Bowder, Asst. Metro Editor of The Columbian, Washington
Bowl-Star of Germany to market ZOT Pinspotter Controller Chassis products ZOT Pinsetter Parts, Inc. president, Roger Lindblad, has announced that Bowl-Star, a German based, full-line, full-service company, is the exclusive distributor for its Pinspotter Controller Chassis products for AMF equipped bowling centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Hendrik Motzer, president of Bowl-Star, said that his company is planning an aggressive marketing campaign to inform its customers and that it has the support mechanism in place to handle all aspects of installation and qualified technical support for this Zot product line. ZOT’s Lindblad added, “We are excited about this arrangement as Bowl-Star has an impressive level of knowledge and expertise in the area of pinspotter electronics, which is essential in supporting their customers’ needs.” Hendrik Motzer, president Bowl-Star The Denver-based ZOT is a leading manufacturer and supplier of unique electronic and mechanical parts, assemblies and control systems for AMF and Brunswick equipped centers, and the manufacturer of the GlossBoss Ball Conditioner. 12
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SHORTS
QUBICAAMF EXPANDS ITS SWEDISH MARKET WITH BOWLTECH QubicaAMF Worldwide announced an expanded agreement with Bowltech to be its full-line distributor in the Swedish market as well as representing it in Denmark. Bowltech will be responsible for Modernization sales, New Center Development and Service. This is a continuation of the collaboration of the two companies which began in 2009. To celebrate the expansion, Bowltech will be organizing a unique Trade Show in Copenhagen on May 3rd for center operators from the region. Attendees will be able to take a look behind the scene in the Copenhagen Bowl & Event Center, meet the Bowltech business partners and see the latest products available in the industry. Bowltech is headquartered in Made, The Netherlands, and is a major European distributor of bowling products. QubicaAMF is a leading manufacturer and marketer of bowling and amusement products located in Richmond, Virginia and European headquarters in Bologna, Italy.
PEOPLEWATCHING Joe Poelking, a third generation proprietor, has been selected to receive the 2012 Bowling Centers Association of Ohio Mike Hennessy Meritorious Service Award to be given to him at the BCA of Ohio convention in May. Joe is the second Poelking to receive this award as his father, Jim, was honored in 2001. Proprietor of Poelking Lanes South, he has been in the bowling business over four decades ever since his father, proprietor of Poelking Lanes on Wilmington Pike, would wake him up on Sundays at 5 a.m. to help at the center wiping down tables and Joe Poelking gathering trash. As he shared with Debbie Juniewicz of the Dayton Daily News, it was Mass first and then off to the center. Poelking has been active in the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio (BCAO) since the late 1980s. He was elected to serve the state as a BPAA director in 1992. His state offices have included president, chairman of the executive board and secretary/treasurer as well as chairperson of several committees. He also served on the state YABA board. In 2010 he was elected as the BCAO’s representative to the BPAA Board of Directors.
REMEMBRANCES Bowling down Main Street When time lays heavy on a town, fun things can happen. That is what Rachel Brougham of the Petoskey News found out in Harbor Springs, MI. She related that it all began about 13 years ago when a couple of guys were sitting around during spring break. One said to the other, “Hey, it’s really quiet in town right now … I bet we could bowl down Main Street, Harbor Springs, MI, kicking off Main Street and spring with kids bowling in the street. nobody would notice.” In the ensuing years, students, parents and business owners from around the community come out to watch children go for a strike down Main Street. The event is free and around 80 children have been known to show up and roll a ball at the pins. Due to Leap Year this year, Friday, March 30 was selected to begin this town’s rite of spring. On other days when Main Street is busy, Northern Lights Recreation is the place to bowl. 14
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LaVerne Carter, the first wife of the late PBA superstar Don Carter, passed away in early March at the age of 86. As Bill Vint, PBA writer, noted: “The former LaVerne Thompson, who achieved stardom on her own in the formation years of the professional women’s bowling, was a member of the United States Bowling Congress (1977) and Professional Women’s Bowling Association (1995) Halls of Fame. She earned the nickname ‘the Blonde Bombshell’ for her colorful, high-kicking showmanship on the lanes.” Andrew Hurley in his book, Bowling Alleys, pointed out that LaVerne came up in the era of male dominance. Women were fighting for their place in the sport. Very much like the tennis world’s Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs, one of her celebrated moments was a Chicago exhibition match against Ace Caulder who did not hold back in exclaiming that “No blonde or brunette or even a redhead “ was going to beat him. Of course, LaVerne proceeded to beat him in six of seven one-game matches. LaVerne Carter is survived by son Jim (Nancy) and daughter Cayce and three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A GLANCE BACK
The Old Celebrity Lanes The original Celebrity Lanes in Denver was the concept and inspiration of Walt Disney. Take a glance back on its unique development and realization. By David Forsyth Editors note: As seen in IBI’s March issue covering the NEW Celebrity Lanes in Denver, with the demise of one center dream another emerges. We thought it would be interesting to go back and take a look at the first Celebrity Lanes aka Celebrity Sports Center with a retrospective taken from an article written by David Forsyth and published in Colorado Heritage , Autumn 2007.
nce, when speaking about the entertainment empire he had built, Walt Disney said, “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.” Although his enterprises were huge successes, Disney never let that success slow him down because, as he said once, “I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment.” That desire for exploration, with the financial backing of the mouse, brought Disney to Colorado on several occasions, and it led him to launch one of his company’s major experiments in Denver.
O
By the late 1950s the Denver area was one of the fastest growing in the United States, and something both new and old residents needed was entertainment. There were plenty of options, but one problem plaguing these was that, to varying extents, foul weather could hamper one’s enjoyment of them. In late 1959 a group of investors joined forces on a project that could offer hours of amusement regardless of the weather while also improving the lives of the area’s young people. On November 15, 1959, The Denver Post announced that 16
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A GLANCE BACK a “huge play center” was in the works for southeast Denver. The center would be owned and operated by Celebrity Bowling, Inc., a recently formed corporation based in Los Angeles, and would include an eighty-lane bowling alley, a massive indoor swimming pool, restaurants, a lounge, and a health salon. What was unique about the future Celebrity Sports Center was its ownership. The facility took its name from the fact that it was owned by a number of Hollywood celebrities, among them Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Burl Ives, Bing Crosby, Spike Jones, Art Linkletter, and John Payne. And there was one other major investor, whom visitors sometimes encountered at the site once construction got under way— Walt Disney. With the groundbreaking ceremonies for the 122,600-square-foot facility, the detailed plans were unveiled. The bowling equipment, which alone cost $1,250,000, was “the largest single order for such equipment in U.S. history.” The bowling alley, as planned, would be capable of seating at least 2,000 people at the major bowling tournaments the owners expected to attract. The 165-foot-long swimming pool was to be housed in a building with a removable skylight and a retractable glass wall (never realized) that allowed access to a patio for sunbathing and other activities. The parking garage, together with outdoor parking, was to provide space for 700 cars. Plans also called for the construction of the $1.25 million Aqua Bowl Motel across the street from Celebrity, but for reasons known only to the investors, the motel was never built. Walt Disney, speaking to Post reporters, “hailed the project as a ‘new dimension to family participation in sports and recreation.’” He went on to say that it was “only fitting” that the project should be built in Denver, as it was one of the fastest growing cities in the country. While Celebrity would primarily serve the recreational needs of the growing population, the owners had other goals for it as well. Disney and his fellow investors hoped to attract national bowling and swimming events to the center, and, in order to accommodate these, the plans for the building included all the equipment necessary for Micky and Pluto arrive in Denver for the grand opening of Celebrity Lanes.
coast-to-coast television broadcasts. The time was right for such a project for reasons other than Denver’s impressive population growth. A careful marketing program that stressed new automatic pinsetters and airconditioned buildings that were becoming standard, succeeded in making bowling an attractive family activity. Bowling gained so much popularity that Life magazine described it as the country’s most popular sport—for some, even a way of life. By the mid-1950s there were more than 20 million regular bowlers in the United States. Bowling at Celebrity Lanes proved to be a very popular attraction even before the bowling alley opened—night leagues were already 80-percent full. League schedules for earlier in the day from Monday through Friday were completely filled, two months before the bowing alley was even opened. A year following the opening of the bowling lanes, the swimming pool, first called “Olympic Swim,” opened in July 1961. Quickly nicknamed “the swamp” by Celebrity employees,
An ad for Celebrity Sports Center highlights the slot car racing and Walt Disney taking a turn rolling the ball. IBI
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A GLANCE BACK Guests checking in at the front desk get the full “Disney” treatment.
the pool held 500,000 gallons of “constantly filtered and heated water,” had five diving boards, boasted nine swimming lanes instead of the usual eight. It was housed in a 32,000-square-foot building with indoor locker rooms, a floating snack patio and spectator stands. Admission in 1961 was one dollar for children under sixteen and $1.50 for adults. Swimming suits and towels were available for rental. The opening of the swimming pool marked the completion of the $6 million Celebrity Lanes as called for in the original plans. In the years following, the recreational activities at Celebrity continued to expand as new and different phases of the project were added and completed. One of the major, and most popular, additions was an expanded videogame arcade, housing a total of 300 games. Three water slides were added to the pool around 1980. Among the high-profile owners, Walt Disney outshone all others. He was a frequent visitor, whether for anniversary celebrations, dedications, or simple inspection tours. As in his other business ventures, Disney was mindful of the details at Celebrity, even the The indoor swimming pool, affectionately called “the Swamp” by Celebrity Lanes employees, was a marvel of modern architecture and engineering. Its opening marked the completion of Celebrity Lanes as called for in the original plan. 18
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smallest ones. He was so concerned that things be just right that he even assigned an art director who had worked on Disneyland to oversee new developments at the center in order to guarantee that everything was to his liking. As Disney executive Robert Allen said in 1966, “practically everything at the center… bears the mark of Disney’s personal touch.” On these visits Disney did find time for some fun, such as the occasional bowling game. While Walt Disney and his company were committed to ensuring Celebrity’s “continuing acceptance by the residents of the Denver area,” they were also coming up with other plans for the facility. At about the same time, Disney was in the early stages of planning for his most ambitious project—Walt Disney World in Florida. Celebrity Sports Center would play an important role in these plans by becoming the training ground for future management of the Florida park. While Walt Disney’s death in 1966 put an end to his direct influence at Celebrity, the company continued to operate Celebrity as a primer for future Walt Disney World employees for the next thirteen years. The Disney era at Celebrity came to an end in 1979
A GLANCE BACK
This rendering illustrated the possibilities of expanding the swimming pool to add an outdoor component. This addition was never completed.
when the company decided to sell the property. With new owners came a new name, “Celebrity Fun Center.” The bowling alleys thrived through the 1970s and 1980s as schools and bowling leagues from around the state held games and championship tournaments there. One of the biggest was the 1976 Women’s International Bowling Congress annual tournament, with more than 9,200 teams competing. In 1978
the Japanese American National Bowling Association held its tournament at Celebrity. By the 1980s, commercial development was on the rise, and the Celebrity property became more and more attractive. When it started to lose money in the early 1990s, Celebrity’s fate was sealed. In 1994, Celebrity was sold to a real estate investment group who paid $10.8 million for it, and, in turn, replaced it with a $20 million retail center anchored by Builder’s Square and Best Buy stores. The wood lanes found new life as the floor of the ballroom at the Oxford Hotel in Denver. In its thirty-five-year history Celebrity Sports Center served as a sign of its times, from the renewed popularity of bowling, the rise of public swimming, the creation of video-game arcades, and even the economic redevelopment that brought about its demise. And even though Celebrity is gone, it is still fondly remembered by the people who owned it, the Disney employees who worked there, and the many who played there as children and adults. ❖
David Forsyth lives in Denver, CO while pursuing his Ph.D. in history at the University of Colorado—Boulder. He is the director of the Gilpin Historical Society in Central City, CO. He has published several articles for the Colorado Heritage, published by the Colorado Historical Society.
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COVER STORY
wners b co-o son, lu C g er lin er Pet n Bow Missio , and Somm new lanes. eft the haw, l ight, enjoy Brads r y ll o M
Photos of the Mission Bowling Club courtesy of Myleen Hollero.
By Robin Breuner
B
owling in San Francisco has long been a cherished pastime. In its heyday during the 1950s and early 60s, there were an estimated 13 alleys in and around the City. With the closing of Haight Ashbury’s famous Rock-N-Bowl in the 1990s followed by the shuttering of Japantown Bowl in 2000, San Franciscans and tourists were left with only two options for bowling entertainment – twelve lanes in the Yerba Buena complex downtown and twelve lanes at the funky Presidio Bowl in the defunct Army base on the western side of town. Last month, the bowling scene in the City by the Bay came alive again in an eye-popping way. Two new, cutting-edge bowling centers celebrated their grand openings. Lucky Strike, the Hollywood glamour center, opened in the former Border’s space on the ground floor of the Beacon at 3rd and King Street across from AT&T Park, and Mission Bowling Club opened at 17th Street and South Van Ness in the hip Mission District. Residents and visitors are not only in for a delight of the senses when patronizing either of these special clubs, they are also helping to make the San Francisco community in general just a little bit better.
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COVER STORY
Photos of Lucky Strike courtesy of Lucky Strike.
Lucky St his wif rike owner S e, Gilli teven F an recent o openin left, share a ster, right, an g of Lu s cky Str mile at the d ike San Francis co.
Mission Bowling Club is the brainchild of two creative young women, Sommer Peterson and Molly Bradshaw, co-owners of Mini Bar in the Western Addition neighborhood. Both Peterson and Bradshaw live in the neighborhood and were determined to find a local location for their business. “We kept coming back to this one because it was the most central in the Mission,” said Peterson. “We wanted a sense of community in a warm, wonderful location. We looked all around the city and kept coming back here.” Peterson’s dream of opening a bowling center was inspired by her grandfather. “My grandfather just turned 87, and he’s still in a league in South Lake Tahoe,” she said. “We wanted to bring the fun and the interactive elements of bowling to San Francisco.” The women said that they have established a San Francisco type environment for bowling in the 8,000 square foot space by creating a restaurant with well-known chef, Anthony Myint of Mission Chinese and Commonwealth fame, a chic but comfortable neighborhood bar and six lanes of bowling. Their goal is for it to be nice but accessible with each element able to stand on its own. “Our focus is on hospitality with all angles – in every sense,” said Bradshaw. They also said that they are taking the bowling aspect seriously and have installed the best, state-of-the-art equipment provided by Murrey International. The space evokes a masculine but comfortable attitude featuring a mezzanine
level overlooking the expanse of the banquette-filled dining room, separate bar, open kitchen and bowling lanes adorned
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COVER STORY other restaurants. “One of the things that has really attracted us to Anthony is his sense of social commitments,” said Bradshaw. The group plans to donate a portion of the food proceeds to youthrelated programs. The community based, holistic philosophy that Peterson, Bradshaw and Myint share defines the company and the way the The “Living Patio” with its striking tower of plants lends an edge to the covered outdoor area.
The artistic, hand-made bowling themed chandeliers add a dramatic effect to the entrance and the dining loft upstairs.
with inviting leather sofas. The mezzanine is available for semi-private parties. The space also extends to a sunny covered patio for outside dining. Chef Myint said that the essence of the restaurant is “technique-driven comfort food”. He said that the food is innovative and smart, not pretentious, with budget in mind. Peterson said, “We’re encouraging people to ‘Walk and Ride’, our motto, and we have on-site bicycle parking available next to the patio, which is really important to us.” Another major aspect to Mission Bowling Club is its serious commitment to community building and youth. They call themselves “forprofit with a non-profit heart.” “We will be inviting local youth programs to bowl during our off-hours. We want to dedicate private time to benefit kids,” said Peterson. “We hope that other businesses will follow our lead in trying to build community.” Another example of MBC’s nonprofit heart is the planned partnership with Root Division, an arts and education non-profit located across the street from MBC that will be collaborating with them to display its art on a rotating basis. Myint has been involved in charitable endeavors such as hunger relief through his
The formal dining room at the MBC has a clean design.
MBC will be managed. “A restaurant or bar can define and anchor a neighborhood. We’re one block over from the scene of Mission and Valencia and there’s not much here. We’re hoping to become the anchor for this area,” said Myint. “We’re adding some beauty vs. blight,” said Bradshaw. “We’re hoping to light up the place.” “We’re hoping to create a few jobs with this which is good for the local economy, too,” said Peterson. “You can’t have a strong business without a strong community. Our neighbors are our people. They’re the ones who are going to be here.”
Chef Anthony Myint, far right, keeps a close eye on his kitchen. 22
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On the other side of town, down by the ballpark, the swanky, 23,000 square foot Lucky Strike opened on March 8th with its own brand of charity. The grand opening party was dedicated to helping Tipping Point, a local organization dedicated to helping Bay Area families break the cycle of poverty. Lucky Strike founder and CEO Steven Foster said that they’d been looking in San Francisco for a location for years. They wanted to find the right spot, and when they found it, decided to elevate and transform
COVER STORY many of the elements that they historically incorporate into their brand and concept. “Lucky Strike is a complete social entertainment experience focused on creating positive, joyful and infectious energy and there is not a more fitting place to accomplish this than San Francisco,” said Foster. Lucky Strike has 21 other locations across 14 states and two countries. San Francisco is well known for its often difficult development process. Foster said that they had been apprised of the challenges, so their expectations were set at a very high level of community outreach. He said that he knew that The City by the Bay was very sensitive to its delicate pulse, particularly as it relates to a business of this magnitude going into the ground floor of a residential building. He knew that they would have to do a lot of outreach The QubicaAMF lanes at the Lucky Strike are both chic and comfortable. with the residents of the Beacon District. Over a period of several months, Foster and his wife, Jillian, along with a team of Foster said that they’re really his employees, met with the residents, the neighborhood association, the approaching San Francisco as a rebirth. redevelopment authority and the police. They made themselves completely available Their menu is entirely different. There for any questions and concerns. The net effect was that they had no protestors at any isn’t a single item that they’ve ever served of their hearings, which is an unusual phenomenon in San Francisco. at another Lucky Strike. Every item is The company interviewed an estimated 1,500 applicants for 100 job openings. made to order. He said that where it can When asked if he thinks that there is a mini-renaissance of bowling in San Francisco, be locally sourced, it will be, and where he responded, “It’s like life: if you believe in synchronicity, often times things happen it can be organic, it will be. Every beer simultaneously. I love the fact that Mission Bowling Club is opening right around the served is a locally sourced, craft beer. same time that we are. I support them wholeheartedly.” “We want to be a community center that provides entertainment and food and beverage in an extremely magical environment, pulsing with art and sensory experience and delight,” he said. In addition to a sushi bar with a dedicated sushi chef, the restaurant serves authentic Belgian French fries, gluten free mac and cheese balls and surf and turf sliders to name a few of the mouth watering delectables. For dessert, some of the offereings include organic soft serve ice cream from Straus Creamery and macaroons from popular local baker L’Artisan. The interior of the San Francisco Lucky Strike doesn’t follow the typical Lucky Strike mold. Foster said that the art they’re curating in the space as well as for the digital presentation screens is all new and local. “The whole feeling and design aesthetic is different than any other Lucky Strike that has existed. It’s brand new. Very relevant to San Francisco in particular.” said Foster. Ray Azoulay, owner of Obsolete Gallery and interior designer for the 24
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COVER STORY decision, and then they modify it and make it better. There aren’t a lot of people making decisions. It’s just been Foster and him. “Nobody tells you why you can’t do something in that company. They’ll just get it
Guests can lounge on sofas or take a seat at the bar.
project, described the space as modern meets industrial, although they caution against it falling into any specific theme. “We looked at materials such as zinc for the bar, so there’s a gray tone to it, and that complements the concrete floor and the white, high gloss ceiling, which is different than the typical blacked-out dropdown ceiling in their other spaces” said Azoulay. “We created these wonderful, perforated-back, metal industrial chairs and for comfort added a thin leather seat cushion. We found a table in Northern France that came out of a postal office and created our community tables out of this amazing new dining height.” Other creative touches include an enormous antiqued mirror hung on an entry wall to reflect the grandness of the space, and giant lampshades measuring 5 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet floating over the tables like the canopy of a tree. “San Francisco is a very cerebral, artistic community, and especially with the tech industry there, we wanted to make sure that’s being addressed. It’s a little bit of a thinking man’s place,” said Azoulay. To that end, both Azoulay and Foster spoke effusively about the Einstein Room created as an adjunct to the bowling to entertain the thinking man, woman and child. The room offers two pool tables, a flat screen trivia quiz table, vintage chess and checker game tables, Chinese checkers, NY Times crossword puzzles, Etch-a-Sketches and Rubik’s cubes imprinted with Einstein’s face. Azoulay said that of all his different projects, he’s been most excited about this one because it has evolved from week to week. He said that they make a The bar in the restaurant area.
The Einstein Room entertains the thinking man, woman and child by offering pool tables, a flat screen trivia quiz table and other classic games.
done. It’s kind of amazing,” he said. “I’ve spent almost every waking minute on this, and I don’t think there’s anything else like this including any previous Lucky Strike. This is a groundbreaker,” said Foster. Even in choosing the bowling equipment, Foster and his team were sensitive to the issues that San Franciscans care about, like energy efficiency. The new center boasts twelve bowling lanes which include a new bowling system provided by QubicaAMF called the TMS 10 string machine that reduces power consumption by 60% and is quieter than traditional pinspotters. For all of the proprietors and entreprenuers in the San Francisco bowling rebirth, the projects are driven by not only economic opportunity, but by the sincere desire to make the community stronger, better, more solid. From job creation to supporting the arts, these centers are changing the fabric of their respective communities. ❖
Robin Breuner is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to IBI. She lives in Marin County, California.
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MEMORY LANE Another goal of mine would be to fill the lanes in the mornings and afternoons with school bowling as part of the curriculum. Who better to be my school program director than Frank Sisson former owner of the Silver Dollar Bowl in Calgary Canada?
. Why m a e t ter. dream n y e s c a t m n a your fa ks for his dre g n i k c i gain: p are Paul’s pic a n o s a se ere It’s that or bowling? H tf not do i By Paul Lane
T
his is the season of fantasy teams! Here at IBI, we were wondering how would you create your ‘”fantasy” bowling center? We asked our very own Paul Lane to share his thoughts on creating his ideal center. Maybe this will get your creative juices flowing too! My Public Relations director would be the late Victor (Vic) Kalman, AMF’s PR man in Europe throughout the 1960s, and great idea person who created the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup. Vic was also the former Bowling Editor of Sports Illustrated magazine. And great ideas are what Vic was all about. My choice for an advertising director would be advertising agency guru, David Ogilvy, who Time magazine has called "the most sought after wizard in the business" Ogilvy literally wrote the book on advertising (Ogilvy on Advertising, Random House, 1983). Who better for me to have as my resident pro/instructor than my close friend of around 35-years, Dick Ritger, a former touring PBA player and member of both the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame, and the first to be inducted into the USBC's new Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in June, 2008. 28
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I arrived at Dick Weber Lanes and asked the receptionist where I would find Dick. “Oh! He’s in the bar,” was the reply. Not only was Dick in the bar, he was behind it, serving drinks, and signing autographs, and having his photo taken, in a bar full of enthusiastic fans. No contest: Dick Weber is my bartender. Entertainer extrodinaire. My choice for a receptionist would be Diane Sawyer. Yes! Diane Sawyer, the current anchor of ABC News flagship program, ABC World News. Hey! This is a dream team, right? My choice to round out the team would be Donny Davenport, a former AMF Bowling Center technician who is presently the Chief mechanic at the new Celebrity Lanes in Denver, Colorado. Former PBA member and USBC Hall of Famer Jimmy Schroeder, who also heads up the bowling section for the Special Olympics, would be my choice for the pro-shop. For more years than either of us care to think about, Jimmy set up and ran the AMF pro-shop for 100plus days a year, at the annual ABC National Championships, plus he ran his own pro-shop and marketed a fine line of Jimmy Schroeder pro-shop tools. ❖
Paul Lane is former Director of Marketing and Marketing Services for AMF Bowling, Inc. He has been the director of 18 AMF World Cups, an officer in national and international trade associations, and a pro bowler during a career that spans more than 60 countries and 50 years.
PROFILE
, n o i t p Co nt ra y e k c i h o o D , s i ? g i Whats j a m a g o r Thin
Texan Bill Lish uses his unique coaching aids to make the game accessible to all levels of players. By Mark Miller ome bowling coaches specialize in coaching youth, while others focus on college and high school age. A majority prefer to coach at the professional level. There is a very small minority of coaches that can instruct at all three levels. Bill Lish belongs in the latter category and the methods he employs make him one of a kind. The 68-year-old Carrollton, Texas, resident uses about 80 gadgets, most he designed himself, to visually display what he wants his students to learn through his Coach's Eye International pro shop inside Lakes Lanes in The Colony. "I needed to know how to explain visually what I had in my mind," said Lish, a United States Bowling Congress silver level coach and the sport's 2003 Developmental Coach of the Year. "When I use a coaching aid, people get it, because they can see it faster. It helps me fix their problems in ways they understand. Lish's aids range from the simple to the complex. He organizes them into 18 latched cases of different sizes that he puts into a grocery shopping cart to wheel from his pro shop at the center's entrance to the lanes where he teaches. "To many coaches and players, it's all about equipment rather than the mechanics and fixing or correcting problems," he said. "It's all about new equipment to buy which can get expensive rather than teaching them the right way to bowl. If it's all about the equipment, stand up there, throw the ball, and the equipment will do what I want it to do. I fix bad habits. You correct what a person doesn't like or is doing wrong." His lessons are done individually, in groups during his youth
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league program, and weekly two-hour Sunday sessions. The cost: just $10, well below what many coaches charge. "I'm not trying to earn $195 once from each person," he said. "I'm trying to get people to come back every week. Our job as coaches is to get people to like bowling and come back to bowling and stay in bowling." Lish likes to use analogies or celebrities to whom his students can relate. "My analogies change every year," he said. "I have to give them something they identify with. Each person has a key word that lets them get it." He also knows his youth students think differently than his adults and seniors. For example, youth keep time digitally, adults with the numbers 1-12 on the hands of a clock and the seniors with Roman numerals. So Lish designs his many aides to fit his diverse clientele.
Lish demonstrates an appliance directly on the arm of a student.
PROFILE Lish is a firm believer that a bowler is on offense on the strike ball and on defense in attempting to spare. On offense the bowler needs to hook the ball, on defense to throw it straight. To demonstrate how finger action determines the proper strike and spare shots, he's developed several aides. One is a small wood ball on a quarter-inch metal rod with a Lish on the lanes with one of his creations. handle. By itself the ball won't hook but using the fingers it will. Another is a bowling ball with two small wheels. age and work with them throughout There's also a 24-ounce beer can for their lives. adults and an old 16-ounce soda can Like many of his generation, Lish for kids. They prove how twisting the bowled for the first time as a teenager fingers makes shots curve for strikes with his father and stepmother in 1958 while keeping them straight makes the in Sepulpa, OK, near Tulsa. But his true ball go straight for spares. love was designing and building custom "There are so many ways people automobiles. "That's key in that my learn," Lish said. "While one gets the designing of my coaching aids came Pepsi can, another person gets the ball from drawing up custom cars 1,000 times and tires. Whatever way it takes to get because I've always been visual and a person to understand is what I use." creative," he said. "I take an idea and Among his other coaching aides are: turn it into a coaching aide." Two handles glued with a peep He moved to California after high sight in the middle to demonstrate the school to attend junior and business dominant eye. colleges. Realizing he couldn't make Modified laser sunglasses to help much of a living as an illustrator of with shot focus. architectural drawings, he took a job Bowling balls cut in half with plastic with General Telephone Company. He tubes and pinballs inside to demonstrate returned to bowling in the late 1970s arm swing. when a friend he worked with asked A clipboard with a white hand and him to join a league. His bowling ball moving through phases of the slide and balance to Lish’s contraption helps to illustrate a technique point to a student. help with follow through. Small paint can-sized buckets of water with a small weighted ball to display balance. An old fashioned stop watch and radar gun to measure ball speed. Lish uses these aides to help him emphasize a gradual path to success. He preaches patience. He seeks to take bowlers at a young 32
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PROFILE
Students pay close attention to Lish’s coaching.
improved to the point he considered joining the Professional Bowlers Association. "Like a lot of PBA players, I would want to be a touring pro but I had to decide if I wanted a wife and kids or be out and be a touring player," he said. "I also had hurt my back when I was 16 and had never been physically or athletically able to be consistent enough for tournament play." So Lish married, welcomed two children and continued with GTE. He transfered to North Texas in 1989, retiring from GTE in the early 1990s, and later worked on car phone engineering for MCI. He spent two years with a New York City startup company before returning to Texas. In the meantime, he found bowling enjoyable enough to want to learn more. So he attended Dick Ritger camps where he learned from the hall of famer and another teacher named Bob Rea who suggested Lish go into coaching. "I went home and started perfecting his course and began teaching," Lish said. "He re-inforced things like CPR and first aid, sports psychology, how to know your athletes. I loved his system and still use his system which focuses on the physical game and being aggressive and smarter." He added knowledge from other top instructors like the late hall of famer Don Johnson, former Team USA Coach Fred Borden, pro guru John Jowdy and ball driller Mo Pinel. He talked with sports psychologists Dr. Dean Hinitz and Dr. Eric Lasser. Lish gradually fulfilled the requirements of the then-USA Bowling coaching program – Level 1, Level 2, Bronze and Silver. With the help of the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association, he learned how to drill bowling balls for each person individually by looking at the hand and hand structure. Too many others, he thought, did so generically. He put everything he learned into another visual aid, a color pie chart. Now he was ready to open his first pro shop in 1999 at AMF Lewisville north of Dallas. He quickly noticed too much coaching was being done by well-meaning but untrained parents and grandparents, the result being the youth left the sport too early. He also observed too many trained high level coaches were not taking a hands-on approach with their students, concentrating on equipment and often on only one ability level. "Some of these coaches were teaching the science of bowling rather 34
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A shopping cart full of tools of Lish’s trade help accommodate and modify the sport for students.
than teaching someone how to bowl," Lish said. "They won't stay with you long enough." So Lish, who coached Saudi Arabia's national team in 2005 and Bahrain's in 2006, quickly decided he'd be different than what he observed. "I decided to start at the youth level with kids who I could work with throughout the years," he said. "That way I'm growing my own students and developing them at each level. I worked with everyone but concentrated on the ones I knew would do well over the years." He added experts like Tony Sewell (left-handers), Ray Freeman (lane play) and future wife Denise Smyser (girls and women) to his program because bowlers may listen better to them than to him. All stayed with him when he moved 10 miles east to The Colony in 2009. "You have to work with someone long enough to stay with you and be with you each week," Lish said. "You get to know them long enough to tell them to sit down and shut up like a Dutch uncle. Some pros are not willing to do that. People like us are not good bowlers. There's too much information to spread so we're not worried about having to do well to win a tournament." Lish averages in the 190s in Friday night couples and Thursday senior leagues but even as he's concentrating on knocking down his own pins, he's still looking for new ways to help his students knock down theirs. "I can't give it up," he said. "Even then, I'm trying to help the people on both sides of me." ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer from Flower Mound, Texas. He is the national and Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writer for Examiner.com and a columnist for the Bowling News Network.
SHOWCASE ALL-IN-ONE SYSTEM
Touch Desk 3 is now available as a Management Replacement System for most legacy scoring systems. This system includes touch screen cashier stations, BLS 2012 auto scoring integration, and a reservation system along with many of the features you would expect to see in new scoring. System will be upgradeable to future scoring systems. For more information about this system, flatscreen conversions, or repairs to your scoring system call Glenn at New Center Consulting 888-452-3748.
BowlSoles are an alternative for casual customers who dislike wearing rental shoes. They are designed to fit all types and sizes of footwear, simply peel, apply and bowl. It’s that simple. BowlSoles are sanctioned by the U.S.B.C. and leave no sticky residue when removed. Centers worldwide are enjoying premiums of $1-$2 over standard rental shoe fees. Visit us at Bowl Expo booth numbers 232, 234 and 236, and receive $25 off starter kit. www.bowlsole.com.
WEB-BASED LEAGUE HELP
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INCENTIVE PROGRAM
PERMA FASCIA PRODUCTS
League Friend brings bowling league reporting to the web. No software to install, no platform dependency, and optimized for both desktop browsers and mobile devices such as iPhone and Android. Features include automated standings/statistics, season highs, handicapping, lane assignments, team roster management, announcements, indefinite seasonarchiving, and quick toggling between multiple leagues. Conceived and created by an avid league bowler and veteran web professional. Learn more at www.LeagueFriend.com.
Assemblies repaired fast! Brunswick Electronic Repair provides reliable, fast, affordable service and guaranteed workmanship. Whether a pre-ship, exchange or repair on an existing assembly is needed, costly downtime is eliminated with a high-quality, ready-to-use assembly, backed by a 90day warranty. For more information, contact a Brunswick Rep at 800-YES-BOWL or 231-725-4966 or visit: www.brunswickbowling.com/service-support.
Vacation Adventures International has been providing high-end promotional vacation packages to bowling centers for more than 25 years. Destinations include Bahamas Cruise Excursion, Aruba, Cancun, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas and more. Vacation Adventures provides global operations and full administrative support for $99 or less! Bowling centers have increased their bottom line with Vacation Adventures and their customers love the packages offered. Call today for 20% off & free vacations! Call 888-448-3980 or visit www.vacationadventures.biz. 36
DISPOSABLE BOWLING SHOE PAD
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Lomma Golf is the oldest and largest miniature golf builders in the world. Courses come in 9 and 18 hole, or you can custom order more or less holes. Offering over 100 obstacles, some with moving parts and flashing lights, they build indoor, outdoor and black light courses. With a variety of investments, this is an opportunity to have a recreation that will fascinate, challenge and entertain the entire family. Visit www.lommagolf.com for more information, pictures and videos or call 570-346-5555.
National Ticket Company has become one of the most respected names in ticket printing. The company takes pride in the quality and accuracy of their printing, dedicated employees, superb customer service and a long list of satisfied customers. National Ticket Company’s expertise in the printing of stock, custom-printed, and bar coded redemption tickets is the reason their tickets are preferred by more game manufacturers than any other. For more information call 800-829-0829 or visit www.nationalticket.com.
Perma Fascia Products serve both practical and cosmetic purposes. From custom ball racks to updated approach areas, Langlo will fulfill your center’s needs. They also offer a glow-in-the-dark option. In addition to fascia, we manufacture USBC approved HDPE replacement parts, flat gutters, pin deck edge boards, kick plates, and much more. For additional information, please call Don Lundgren at 800-553-6606.
INTRO
According To George t was always fun watching the old movies showing the launching of a newly built ship. The beautiful actress smashes the champagne bottle, the ship magically starts its smooth glide down the ramp, its sleek hull barely causing a wave as it enters the water. We may not have beautiful actresses, and we don’t want to waste the champagne, but it’s still exciting to be part of the launch of Beyond Bowling. I’ve been an admirer of Scott Frager’s, and more recently Chris Holmes’, work at International Bowling Industry. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know them and the IBI staff over the last few years, and learning a lot about the bowling industry in the process. Our friendship began as I contributed several articles to IBI in recent years, reporting on the growing development of what we now call the “BEC” the Bowling Entertainment Center. I’ve come at this as a family entertainment guy. I started in operations in the mall arcade business which, in the late 80s, evolved into bigger box, more diversified, FECs or family entertainment centers. We took a long look at bowling as an FEC attraction as early as 1991 but couldn’t quite pull the trigger. It was 1998 before I was personally involved in the management of a facility combining bowling and traditional FEC attractions. That was Sports Plus in Long Island, NY, which was an early pioneer but did not quite integrate all the great FEC attractions with the fun and magic of bowling. That’s all changed now. The model has been refined and its economics proven. The BEC is here to stay. Having been a part of these developments over the last few years, Pinnacle and IBI believe there is a crying need to establish a vehicle within IBI that will showcase and bring focus to BEC issues, trends, and best practices. We will work together to earn your trust, your loyalty as readers, and your respect as proprietors as we work together to build Beyond Bowling into an industry force. Hope you enjoy it,
I
George McAuliffe President, Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors
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Chris’ Corner hen I came to IBI all of 15 months ago, my perspective of the bowling world was that of most average Americans: “a bowling alley is any place that has bowling.” Little did I know that the business had been evolving for a number of years to spawn a variety of facilities that have so much more to offer than just bowling that the term “alley” would not do them justice. From Bowling Entertainment Centers, to ultra-cool bowling lounges, to bowling bistros, there is so much more to the bowling business today than just rental shoes and pinsetters. Traditional bowling houses are incorporating different kinds of amenities to get customers in the door and keep them there. Whether it is the latest in arcade gaming technology, the hottest new attraction, eye-popping theming ideas or delicious food and beverage options, there are more reasons than ever before to head to a bowling center. Beyond Bowling was created to bring stories of the people and centers that are on the cutting edge of the bowling world’s evolution. I hope that the information will inspire you to think of the next step in your center’s development to make it more appealing to customers and thus more profitable. Partnering with George McAuliffe on this new endeavor, there is no doubt you will not have any difficulty finding that next gem of an idea. This first installment of Beyond Bowling is just the beginning, and I encourage you to actively participate in growing this project. Join the Beyond Bowling group on www.bowlingindustry.com for the chance to feature your center in a future edition of Beyond Bowling. To the future and beyond!
W
Chris Holmes Director of Advertising, International Bowling Industry
By Jackie Wyckoff
GOING BEYOND
Transforming a Business Proprietor Andy Bartholomy, Brunswick and Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors team up to transform a chain of bowling centers to BECs. ndy Bartholomy didn’t set out to become one of the kings of the modern Bowling Entertainment Center, or, BEC. It was a classic case of necessity being the mother of invention. In 2006-07, at the start of the economic downturn, Bartholomy Bowling’s Tulsa, OK, River Lanes was an 80-lane building with a 40-lane business. They needed to beef up the ancillary profits but were not sure how so they decided to check into the growing family entertainment business, or FEC. Before jumping in with both feet, Bartholomy and his partners certainly did their due diligence. They discussed the possibilities with their management team, spoke with other proprietors and then met with Kurt Harz, John Roush and their team at Brunswick. In the emerging BEC market, there was
A
Andy B’s all lit up and ready for a busy night.
no set template to follow. They attended the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) and other non-bowling FEC trade shows. After weighing all the options available, Bartholomy decided that an indoor electric go-kart facility would be the perfect anchor. The sports theme tied in nicely with the existing center, the capacity was just right, the team liked the excitement the new venue would generate and it would be a great opportunity to package a fun new product for birthdays and corporate parties. While Bartholomy and 42
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Andy Bartholomy receiving the Brunswick Center of Excellence award from John Roush, left, regional director for Brunswick, and Sharon Moony, right, the general manager of Andy B's Tulsa.
his team didn’t exactly reinvent the BEC wheel, they certainly set the standard and created a working model for how to do it right. Once Bartholomy’s team was committed to the BEC concept, adding a redemption game room was the natural evolution. A well-planned, designed and operated redemption game room is a solid investment with very good returns and good risk management. When they researched family entertainment attractions, they discovered there are very few profit options which spans both the age and gender appeal that a redemption game room can provide. River Lanes developed its own in house game room team, initially
The ”command center” of Andy B’s is the best of form and function.
including general manager Sharon Mooney and game room and go-karts manager Saul Scribner. Bartholomy has found that redemption revenue average per game was consistently higher than video games, and redemption sales held steady over longer periods of time. With the new attractions, transformation of the existing building and reinvention of the business, River Lanes became “Andy B’s” in April of 2008. But this was just the start of the Andy B’s story. The results at Andy B’s, Tulsa, were an excellent return on investment. The redemption arcade concept integrated so well into the business that the team wanted to apply it to the other The indoor go-karts area has been a big draw to Andy B’s. Barthlomy Bowling centers. They immediately formula, but the ticket payout percent began to modernize the existing game room and added a redemption arcade to and hit frequency of each redemption the 36-lane Broken Arrow center in Broken Arrow, OK. game in a location must be set in In 2010 Bartholomy addressed entertainment in his Starlite Lanes in Lebanon, relation to all the other redemption MO. Even though Starlite is a small center and had no room for a game room, he games. This will ‘balance out’ each modernized where he could with 12 brand new games. In December, 2011, he game so it has an equal opportunity modernized the game room in his home base location, Battlefield Lanes in of giving customers ‘fair value’ for Springfield, MO, adding approximately 28 games and a redemption center. A fifth their money and time. Of course, the center, Bartlett Lanes in Bartlett, TN, is currently undergoing a full renovation with better games will still earn more a state of the art redemption game room on the scale of Andy B's in Tulsa. because their higher entertainment Redemption games have a high entertainment value which is defined as the sum value exceeds a small reduction in of every sensory input that a game has, plus the time of play. It is a complicated their ticket payout percent. The right mix of games and attractions keeps visitors engaged and buying. The floor plan, attraction selection, and theme development can have an enormous impact on the bottom line of a family entertainment center. Bartholomy credits Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors for helping to enhance the center’s layout to maximize profitability and guest satisfaction. They worked directly with the architect/design firm Cornerstone Architechture to create a modern, vibrant floor plan that keeps guests interacting within the facility, increasing revenue and higher probability for repeat visits. The Andy B’s team trains the center staff on Bartholomy Bowling’s game room standards and systems, with Pinnacle’s help on the operations side. Saul Scribner of Andy B’s, Tulsa, is the director of the in-house technical support department and trains the new centers’ staff on technical standards. 44
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The redemption counter looks chocked and full of prizes yet organized and is accessible from all areas of the center.
High design brings a sophisticated effect to the bowling lanes.
A clean and free-flowing redemption area is inviting to patrons.
technical support department and trains the new centers’ staff on technical standards. The last of the major factors in how they execute their redemption game rooms is the Debit or “swipe” card system. They have used the Embed Card system in three of the five centers where they upgraded game operations. Bartholomy is a big believer in the power of debit card systems to transform the business, and not just in the game room. Andy B’s integrates every aspect of the business into the debit card system from game room, bowling and other attractions to food and beverage. It’s an important part of the Andy B’s experience. Bartholomy cautions proprietors that a redemption arcade requires the same commitment of management time and resources as any other aspect of a business. It is important to recognize that this isn’t just “open up your game room and come 46
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in once a week to collect the money.” Do your homework; understand how the game room and family entertainment attractions in general can be integrated in a way to transform your business. Get some professional assistance in areas you don’t know and understand all the alternatives. Bartholomy Bowling has had excellent results in the four centers where they added redemption game rooms and, thanks to meticulous planning and execution, expect the same in their Bartlett, TN, Andy B’s
Andy B’s Tulsa BEC earned the 2009 Brunswick Center of Excellence Award. Bartholomy Bowling centers include Andy B’s and Broken Arrow Lanes, Tulsa and Heritage Lanes in Oklahoma City, OK; Battlefield Lanes in Springfield, MO, Buckhorn Lanes in Waynesville, MO, and Starlight Lanes in Lebanon MO; locations in Tennessee are Winchester Bowl in Memphis and Bartlett Lanes in Bartlett – which is currently in the process of modernizing and transforming into an Andy B’s. ❖ Photos courtesy of Cornerstone Architecture. Jackie Wyckoff, who started bowling in 1968, is a San Francisco (CA) Bay Area native, avid Giants fan and gourmet chef. She was President of the Bowling Writers Association of America, 2009-2011. Wyckoff has worked and volunteered in the bowling industry since 1972 with jobs including Center Manager, USBC (WIBC) Association President and Writer and Promoter for all things Bowling. She was a PWBA Regional Player with several state and local titles to her credit.
By George McAuliffe
BEC/FEC BASICS
The Bowling FEC 101: How to Begin owling-anchored FECs are the hottest trend in the family entertainment center industry. Bowling is the leading asset to the mix; it is the prime draw and anchor. Bowling appeals to a wide age group as shown in bowling leagues from toddlers to seniors. The appeal extends to both genders and every segment in terms of age diversity. With the addition of redemption arcades, laser tag, miniature golf and even theater screens, that appeal is widened and helps diversify the audience. Bowling FEC attractions provide entertainment capacity for parties and groups, including a serious corporate component. With many bowling centers in their fourth and fifth year of redemption operation, we have a track record to examine. There are two models to draw comparisons: (1) new construction, ground-up bowling FECs and (2) traditional bowling centers that convert existing space into family entertainment. Because the market is mostly from the second category, let’s focus on the traditional center that adds/converts space to family entertainment.
B
The Game Mix Each center is personalized for its market, but today’s numbers often reflect a game mix of roughly 80% redemption (including cranes and merchandisers), 10% video and 10% miscellaneous novelty pieces like photobooths, air hockey and others. Within that mix, we create sub-sections of game categories to serve different age groups. Our objective is to draw the whole family, both together as a unit and separately as individual members. A good attraction mix will expand appeal which helps to eliminate “veto votes” and gets the whole family in the car for a visit to the local FEC.
Investment Levels Both new and traditional centers have similar economic considerations. The process starts with space allocation and “right sizing” the gameroom. Many bowling proprietors make a common error in building the wrong size game room, often too large. Sales volume does not necessarily equate to number of games. For example, a center might reach $800,000 in annual sales in a 1,200 square foot game room with only 25 games. “Right sizing,” which takes into account the center’s overall traffic, maximizes the return on investment. The game mix dictates the game investment, and this is 48
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where a professional would be helpful. By knowing the games that will perform best at the lowest cost will give the greatest value to proprietors. With this game performance knowledge, the proprietor can choose the most cost efficient game, ie. Game A which may cost $5,000 and should average $300 per week, vs. Game B with the same sales production at a cost of $10,000. Including good used games from trusted sources to average down the overall game cost is a smart move for proprietors. With the mix of new and refurbished games, the cost generally averages about $6,500 per game. With a gaming professional, the proprietor can maximize the “player-station-to-game-cabinet” ratio, maximizing player capacity with the selected games.
Operating Economics Illustrated in the example below is the arcade size in comparison to bowling lanes. Excess lanes can be converted to arcade space, and this chart help create some perspective. Here’s a snapshot estimate P&L for a 2,400 square foot redemption game room: Investment –– 2,400 sq. ft. # Lanes Displaced (690 SF per Lane).............................................................4 # Games .............................................................................40 GameCost ($6500)..................................................$260,000 Other .........................................................................$50,000 Total Investment ................................................$310,000 Sales at $150 Game per Week ...........................$312,000 Merchandise Cost of Sales (15%).............................$46,800 Other Cost of Sales (3%)..............................................$9,360 Direct Labor (15%).....................................................$46,800 Parts & Service ($100 per Game/Year) ......................$4,000 Total Expenses ........................................................$106,960 Gross Profit .............................................................$205,040 Less Reinvestment in New Games (5% Year) ...................................................................$30,000 Net Income From Games...................................$175,040 Cash On Cash Return ................................................56%
Economic Analysis: A bowling lane consumes 690 square feet; four lanes equals space for 40 games. A state-of-the art selection of 40 games plus other items such as a debit card system, merchandise inventory and other consumables should be just north of $310,000. Sales per game per week could be as high as $200 or more, but this illustration uses a realistic number of $150. That yields a little over $300,000
does not have the capital or is not willing to invest in learning game operations up front and commit to managing the game room, then an outside operator can be the best choice. There are pros and cons to all three approaches, and a good professional on the proprietor’s team can help the proprietor decide what will work best for each project.
Conclusion Certain businesses, those that are capital intensive with mostly fixed costs, qualify for the term “top line businesses.” With the up front investment in games, The redemption area at the new Lucky Jack's in Traverse City, MI. a predictable labor cost to staff the room, constant rent or occupancy costs, and a formula reserve for new games, most redemption game rooms are top line in sales. Using operational economics, businesses. Once breakeven is achieved, a huge percentage of each additional sales the games should be able to deliver dollar flows to net profit. $175K in net income (gross profit less The percentage cost of merchandise sold is what determines the value equation the cost of new games), a healthy for the customers, or better known as players. Once merchandise is “right sized” return on investment. for the game mix and the operation, it should be treated as a fixed expense and Reinvestment in new games is often left alone. Once the cost of sales is zeroed in, a great redemption operator’s focus overlooked but is a key to maintaining shifts to driving the top-line sales. revenues at a high level over time. We commonly plan for the player’s redemption games to pay out tickets with The recommended budgeting is 5% of a merchandise value equal to about 18% to 20% of their sales. Since there is a natural annual sales (net of trade in). A float in tickets paid out but not redeemed (tickets are taken home and saved, lost, diversified bowling center delivers etc.), the value of tickets actually redeemed to equal about 15% to 18% of the additional revenues and benefits. redemption sales. Multiple attractions draw more people This means that once the breakeven is attained, for every $1 in sales the player to the site where they bowl, eat, drink spends, they receive back 15 cents in wholesale merchandise cost. IF the job is done and play games. The center tends to right, the player will be happy with their winnings, and the proprietor will be happy do business in more day parts. Price with the profits. packaging allows for delivering more Doing the job right involves having a good system to pull together the many moving value and fun. When that happens, parts required to create a high-perceived value experience in the arcade. ❖ people stay longer and come back By George McAuliffe, President of Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors more often. Parties and groups are attracted to the wide appeal.
Financing the Investment There are three basic ways to finance the state-of-the-art redemption game room: 1. Center owns: cash or classic loan through bank or game-asset-based lenders. If the center is willing to learn this new business segment and provide quality management time and attention, this is the most profitable approach. 2. Center owns/leases: essentially same as the first option except the financing is structured as a lease (much like a car lease). 3. Contract with a third-party game operator: A game operator provides games and service. If a center owner IBI
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ENGAGING INTERVIEW
One on One with Bill Diamond of Grand Prix New York George McAuliffe spent a few minutes with Bill to ask some basic questions about his FEC business. 1.
So, tell me about Grand Pix New York GPNY is a 120,000 square foot family and corporate entertainment complex in Mount Kisco, New York, that has indoor go-kart racing, bowling, arcade and carnival area, a full restaurant & bar, and finally, a large event space for 200+ people.
2.
How did you get into the business? We decided to build a premier indoor go-kart facility with a focus on corporate events. We are located in Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut is right next door. Both are affluent counties with strong corporate presences, plus we are located within 30 miles of New York City, and we felt that there was an opportunity to cater to the regional demand for entertainment based event space.
3.
You have a beautiful bowling boutique. How did that come about? Racing was successful, but we quickly saw that social events were a much bigger part of our business than we originally expected. We felt that we could increase revenues further by broadening the product mix and becoming a more family focused facility. We added bowling, and now the arcade and carnival areas. We use Brunswick for the bowling alley and they have proven to be a truly fantastic partner.
4. So you are actively evolving your business. What drives your thought process in considering adding complimentary attractions? We’re looking at how the potential product mix will drive revenues across our different customer bases. Two thirds of our business is made up of either corporate or social events, and the balance is walk in business. So we are constantly trying to refine the mix in order to drive revenues across each of those segments. 5. You opened a redemption game room in April of this year; tell us a little more about the thought process specific to the game room. 50
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We already had a few games sprinkled around the facility, which were always busy, and we realized that the arcade area could become Bill Diamond in his Mount a much larger attraction for the Kisco, NY, office. facility. Racing is labor intensive, and there is often a wait to race, and so two things that we’re compelling about increasing our arcade focus was that this area has a much lower labor cost, and also gives our customers something additional to do while they wait to race. Also, by using an Embed card solution, rather than tokens, we will be able to tie the cards into the entire facility, enabling our marketing team to come up with a wide range of packages and offerings.
6. Is food and beverage a significant part of the mix, or just an amenity to existing traffic? Food and beverage has always been very significant in the context of our event business. Restaurant sales were not as significant when we were a racing-only facility, but since we added bowling the restaurant volume has tripled. Having a top quality restaurant means that our customers can linger longer in the facility. 7.
Where do you see GPNY in five years? We believe that the recent addition of bowling and the expanded arcade will help position GPNY as a true destination for family and corporate entertainment for years to come.
8. Any other wisdom you care to share for our readers adding other attractions to their business? We were surprised by the amount of revenue we could generate with the arcade and redemption games. We feel that adding this sort of a product mix for a bowling alley is almost a ‘no brainer’. And we try to focus a great deal on evaluating our product mix and customer base, to make sure that at the end of the day our ‘product’ fits the market. Also, utilizing a card system for payment instead of tokens allows for expanded flexibility with promotions and offerings. ❖
By Rick Leffke
EDUMARKETING
“OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE” ometimes, the opportunity is right in front of us and we can’t see it. All the signs are there, and yet all of our experience and our beliefs blind us from seeing the real opportunities that are before us. How many of you read the title of this article and saw the words “Opportunity is nowhere?” If that is what you are convinced that you read, you are correct. The interesting thing about the title is that if you take another look at it and with a little guidance you will see that the title of this article is “Opportunity is now here.” I would like to think the latter statement is true for the bowling industry. It is up to each of us in this industry to seize the opportunity and redefine the direction by truly understanding what our customers really value and take a close look at our options to provide that opportunity to them.
S
Apply new and innovative technology to attract new customers.
incorporated into a bowling center, but have you ever considered that a vending machine could offer a fun experience for a customer? An example of such a machine is the Cotton Candy Factory by Vendever. With cotton candy being an item that cannot be picked up at the store, people get excited seeing the novelty treat created right in front of them.
Create value for both your customer and YOU. The sweet spot for you as a proprietor is offering your customers something that they perceive as having a value but also something that has a high margin and ROI. The sweetest part for operators of the Cotton Candy Factory is a product cost of 10 cents and a selling price of $3.00. Quick math will show a 96% gross profit margin. WOW!
The “Opportunity is Now Here” and it is up to you to redefine your future.
Most centers already have the latest and greatest in bowling technology to make the experience user-friendly, but now it is time to look elsewhere in your center to create tailored experiences that customers will pay incremental money for. Believe it or not, vending is on the cutting edge of modern technology by creating specialty, state-of-the art and user-friendly machines.
Offer a wide variety of options. We all know of the variety of attractions that can be
The fully automated "COTTON CANDY FACTORY" produces the finest cotton candy. The candy is served perfectly shaped, dry, fluffy and nonsticky in less than a minute. Using ordinary table sugar, it is easy to clean and maintain with no cheap plastics to break, discolor or need to be replaced over time. With gross profit margins at 96%, operators not only pay off the machine faster than other vending machines, they create the ongoing customer impulse buy and also add incremental cash sales. ❖ Rick Leffke is CEO of VendEver, LLC.
WWW.VENDEVER.COM (888) 586-5368 • sales@vendever.com – FINANCING AVAILABLE –
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DATEBOOK
MAY 2, 9 &16 Steltronic One-Day Scoring Showcase In order of dates: Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; & Charlotte, NC For info: Patrice@steltronic.com 800-942-5939 7-11 Brunswick European Pinsetter Training Sessions GS Series & Vector Scoring Hungary. For info email: Siggi.Hill@brunbowl.com www.brunswick.com 14 – 25 A-2 Pinsetter Maintenance School Charger Lanes, Norton, OH For info call Frank Miroballi 540-325-7684 or email Frankm1441@aol.com 21 Illinois State BPA Board of Directors Meeting Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Normal, IL Bill Duff – billduff@bowlillinois.com 847-982-1305 21-23 BCA of Ohio Convention & Trade Show Crowne Plaza, Dublin Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363 22 Free Live Webinar “Top 10 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas, Programs, Tactics and Strategies for the Bowling Business” Presenter: Paul Kreins 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Pacific time) Register at: www3.gotomeeting.com/register/303322566
31 – 6/3 2012 Hall of Fame Extravaganza (BPAA & USBC) Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Las Vegas, NV David Garber, 702-495-4249; david.garber@stationscasinos.com
JUNE 3-5 Kansas State BPA Annual Meeting Chateau on the Lake, Branson, MO Mary Thurber, 913-638-1817 4-15 A-2 Pinsetter Maintenance School Charger Lanes, Norton, OH For info call Frank Miroballi 540-325-7684 or email Frankm1441@aol.com
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JULY 20-22 Independent Bowling Organization Show Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth, MI Scott Bennett, 248-408-0200 Scott@bowl-mail.com 30 – 8/1 Striking Sixties Bowling Centers Association of Michigan Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Mt. Pleasant, MI Ken Prokopec, 800-833-2695
OCTOBER
23 Pairings Party – Bowl Expo Eldorado Hotel Casino, Reno, NV Pre golf tournament mixer for team selections Info: 888-649-5585 www.bowlexpo.com 24 Bowl Expo Golf Tournament 8 a.m. Wolf Run Golf Club 7 a.m. transportation from Eldorado Hotel Info: 888-649-5585 www.bowlexpo.com
4 BCA of Ohio Executive Board Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus 2700 Corporate Exchange Dr. Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363 7-8 BCA of Ohio Fall Seminar & Meeting Embassy suites, Columbus 2700 Corporate Exchange Dr. Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363 14-17 East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Revel (www.revelresorts.com) Atlantic City, NJ For info: www.eastcoastbowl.com 800-343-1329 ext. 8451 IBI
24-29 BOWL EXPO 2012 Silver Legacy, Eldorado & Circus Circus, Reno, NV Trade Show: Reno Sparks Convention Ctr. 800-343-1329 www.bowlexpo.com
15-19 Brunswick European Pinsetter Training Sessions GS Series & Vector Scoring Hungary. For info email: Siggi.Hill@brunbowl.com www.brunswick.com
25 8th Annual Bowl Expo Karaoke Contest presented by The Lighting Store IBI
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Eldorado Showroom, Reno, NV CJ Fox, 888-746-54383 email:cj@soundandlightkaraoke.com
Official magazine of the convention
CLASSIFIEDS
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-2556436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
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CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE FOR SALE: 18-lane bowling equipment: Brunswick A-2 pinsetters, lockers, ball polisher, auto scorers. Make offer. Barber Realty Co. (334) 872-0478. FRAMEWORX SCORING PARTS: Priced to SELL. Sold by the lane or individual parts. Quantity discounts. Contact Bill Rossman @ Parkway Bowl (619) 448-4111 or email: bill-r@nd-inc.com.
EQUIPMENT WANTED 17� Magic Score tabletop monitors. (419) 668-9933.
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CENTERS FOR SALE 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. 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.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
CENTERS FOR SALE 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. 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.
CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE
CENTERS FOR SALE 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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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. GEORGIA: 32-lane center – strong leagues & good demographics in suburban Atlanta. Leased building with opportunity to expand. Jetbacks, synthetics, Accuscore all in good condition. Call Ken Paton (503) 645-5630.
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CLASSIFIEDS MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Immediate Installation. $5,900.00 & up.
"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
SERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • Frameworx NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS
Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849
291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940 on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com
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2021 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com
CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE
CENTERS FOR SALE MINNESOTA: 8-lane Brunswick center w/ liquor license. Good condition. Great opportunity. $99,000. Call Ray, Xtreme Trophy Properties, (218) 790-1468.
CENTERS FOR SALE SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA: Clean RETRO 8-lane bowling center, lounge, food, liquor store & established leagues. Call (402) 224-4725.
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. 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) 3515152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE SOUTHERN IDAHO: Profitable, WellMaintained, Family Oriented Bowling Center. 12 wooden lanes w/ AMF 82-70s, Qubica scoring, Cosmic Bowl & automatic bumpers. Food/beverage (58% of revenues); open bowling (37%). Asking $360,000 includes RE. Call Dave, Arthur Berry & Co., (208) 639-6167. SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN: LARGE center. Priced at severe discount due to unique situation. Excellent physical condition. Solid revenue. Perfect turn key opportunity. Contact (248) 252-1427 or bowlingcentersales@gmail.com. IDAHO, Rigby: 8 lanes, Brunswick A-2s; refinished wooden lanes, snack bar, many upgrades throughout. Dropped to $65,000. Long term lease. VERY MOTIVATED!! (208) 535-9905; www.arthurberry.com. CENTRAL MINNESOTA: 8-lane Brunswick center, 18,000 s/f, with restaurant, game room & banquet facility for 400. Turnkey operation. $235,000. Averaging $250,000+ last 5 years. Call Dave or Cindy @ (320) 8434040; cell (320) 808-6521.
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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. Cash customers—buy 3, get one FREE. TOTAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! References available. CHASSIS DOCTORS (330) 314-8951. See a list that will help centers fill lanes w/ 1200+ New Bowlers, Birthday Parties & Corporate Outings that generate $15,800—a 600% ROI from 4 payments starting at $378. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call (888) 2430685. BOSS Scoring packages & component repair. (712) 253-8730
ARE YOU A FAN OF BOWLING?
www.Facebook.com/BowlingFan
CLASSIFIEDS
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
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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/
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY ALL AMF BUMPER PARTS, XS Q-BUMP, DURABOWL AND GEN II IN STOCK
SEL L
BUY
Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767
Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - daryl@tuckerbowling.com
www.tuckerbowling.com
We could not have gotten our loan without him. Max Cook and Fred Kaplowitz North Bowl Spokane, WA The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments
Ken Paton (503) 645-5630 www.kenpaton.com kpaton@kenpaton.com 60
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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
CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER WANTED Don't miss your chance to grow with an Industry Leader! Looking for Experienced, Service-Oriented General Managers for our U.S. bowling retail center locations. Please check us out at www.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.c om for more details on our current openings. Act Now! Apply Today!
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN 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.
MECHANIC WANTED
593 Loxley Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753
For 82-70 pinsetters with FrameworX scoring. Frankfurt, KY. Daniel (502) 8753610.
732-240-6554 • 800-782-9494
www.merepair.webs.com
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY OPERATING PARTNER WANTED! PA OR NJ. Experienced, skilled and energetic person looking for a challenge. Full-service, Entertainment Facilities. Must have great customer service skills, smile and ability to grow business. Own a piece of the Rock! Send resume to: PartnerWantedNow@gmail.com.
POSITION WANTED Seeking managerial position: EXPERIENCED manager/district manager of single & multiple unit centers; specializing in turn around centers; great customer service skills, inventory and payroll controls and P & L controls. References and resume available upon request. Email: schronce.tony@yahoo.com or leave message @ (817) 232-2219.
LOCKER KEYS FAST!
Former center owner with 15 years all around experience as GM, league promoter, A-level Brunswick mechanic, scoring system installer and lane technician. Well suited for many positions. Call Mitch at (808) 443-3868.
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695
•Keys & Combo Locks for all Types of Lockers. •One week turnaround on most orders.
For FLORIDA CENTERS Call DAVID DRISCOLL & ASSOCIATES 1-800-444-BOWL 3800 Lake Center Loop, Suite B1, Mount Dora, FL 32757-2208 AN AFFILIATE OF SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES
•New locks All types
All keys done by code #. No keys necessary.
•Used locks 1/2 price of new
E-mail: huff@inreach.com FAX YOUR ORDER TO US AT:
530-432-2933
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEY INT’L 530-432-1027 Orange County Security Consultants
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REMEMBER WHEN
1964
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D
efinitely going for a different time and different sensibility… or as we say in the hood, “not very PC.” However 48 years ago, smoking was just one of those activities one did or not, but it was no big deal. In looking back over the Remember Whens we have published, IBI has yet to focus on a cigarette ad; beer and alcohol seem to pass the test but smoking stands alone in the playground. This Winston ad shows bowling, fun and smoking as integral parts of a whole. What better way to celebrate a strike than to “light up a smoke” with a friend and savor the moment. The wooden pin rounds out the “back in the day” look many of us remember. 1964 was the year, and there were 5,321 BPAA member centers across the U.S. and an ABC membership of 4,550,000. This was the height of the golden age of bowling, but it was just the beginning of a surge of young bowlers with the YABA touting 313,848 members and growing. ❖