THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
CONTENTS
VOL 19.10
6 ISSUE AT HAND
26 FEATURE
Emagine the Possibilities
Chipper’s Lanes & The Mishawaka
By Scott Frager
Proprietors’ love for music, bowling and community come together in Fort Collins, CO By Robin Breuner
8 SHORTS
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Dodgers Dream Foundation Remembering Roger Tessman Royal Lanes in Oglesby, IL and Totem Bowl in Marshalltown, IA turn 50.
32 OFF THE CLOCK Jack Sparrow Meets Braveheart The double life of Lonnie Mitchell By Bree Gutierrez
14 MARKETING
46 REMEMBER WHEN
Bowling Down the Highway
1960
Maple Family Centers and Bowl America take bowling on the road By Joan Taylor
Ruppert’s Knickerbocker Beer 26
35 Showcase
18 COVER STORY
38 Datebook
Emagine’s Star Lanes is Magic & More!
39 Classifieds
Paul Glantz thinks big and brings an entertainment experience to Royal Oak, MI By Evan Henerson
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Chris Holmes holmes@bowlingindustry.com
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Gregory Keer keer@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
CONTRIBUTORS Robin Breuner Bree Gutierrez Patty Heath Evan Henerson Joan Taylor SPECIAL PROJECTS Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424
FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
13245 Riverside Dr., Suite 501 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 789-2695(BOWL) Fax (818) 789-2812 info@bowlingindustry.com
www.BowlingIndustry.com
HOTLINE: 888-424-2695 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy of International Bowling Industry is sent free to every bowling center, independently owned pro shop and collegiate bowling center in the U.S., and every military bowling center and pro shop worldwide. Publisher reserves the right to provide free subscriptions to those individuals who meet publication qualifications. Additional subscriptions may be purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50 per year. Subscriptions for Canada and Mexico are $65 per year, all other foreign subscriptions are $80 per year. All foreign subscriptions should be paid in U.S. funds using International Money Orders. POSTMASTER: Please send new as well as old address to International Bowling Industry, 13245 Riverside Drive, Suite 501, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2010, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
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Cover photo by Doug Ashley 4
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October 2011
THE ISSUE AT HAND
Emagine the Possibilities Michigan is a beautiful state with an abundance of natural resources, amazing people and, of course, is home to several hundred bowling centers. I believe the number to be 305. Actually, 306 if you add the recently opened Star Lanes in Royal Oak this past May. The entire state has, arguably, been one of the hardest hit during the U.S. economic crisis. Located in the southeast portion of the state just outside of Detroit, Royal Oak may as well be in a different state entirely. While Detroit is a city that is suffering from an unemployment rate topping 20%, suburbs like Royal Oak, are faring much better. So much better, that entrepreneur and movie theater chain chief executive, Paul Glantz is betting on Michigan, Royal Oak and bowling to take his latest business creation to new heights. When I first learned about Glantz and his bold and innovative project from manufacturer US Bowling Corporation, I knew I had to research it. My editorial instincts kicked in and my gut told me this would be a story we’d be featuring
in IBI. Truth be told, my team and I scheduled this for our October cover story even before the first photos arrived. How appropriate that a theater chain called Emagine Cinemas thought of bowling as it’s way of standing out amongst the crowded movie theater market and in a challenging economic environment. This past month I had a chance to visit northern Michigan for a few days of business meetings and to celebrate a friend’s 70th birthday. The Upper Peninsula (UP) as it is known is light years away from the big cities and the action of southern Michigan. During my 72 hours up north at my friend’s cottage overlooking a slow, winding river, I had my first opportunity in many years to truly unplug from the day-to-day of being a father, husband and publisher. The ever-lit campfire and never-ending fellowship of being around friends– while making new friends– helped me rediscover a creative side of my life that had been locked away. There must be something in the Michigan air that fosters a sense of creativity and freespirited thinking. Even I could Emagine the possibilities. – SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com The worlds of Internet, email, Facebook, twitter and all the variations and derivations that go with them, have given proprietors a plethora of ways to draw in business but also new headaches. HOW TO USE THEM IS THE KEY AND THEREIN LIES THE RUB… Carey Tosello of Www.BowlingWebDoctor.com has a few simple strategies to help make a center’s Facebooking effective. He says, ”Using Facebook properly can be a great boost to your center’s visibility and contribute to your long term success.” Check out Carey’s new, exclusive blog on IBI’s website—it will be time worth spent. You will read about sure fire ways to enhance your membership and ultimately your bottom line. Not a member? Well, hurry up and sign up. It’s free… and priceless.
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NEW BEGINNINGS While it is noted on many occasions that centers close and become big box stores, it is heartening when communities support entrepenurial efforts to keep bowling in their communities. International Falls, MN had Timber Pins which was forced to close its doors sometime back. Larry Bement and Harley Droba decided it was time to reopen the doors and what better name in International Falls than IHOB, International House of Bowling. Larry Bement, left and Harley Droba stand outside the new IHOB “It was just sitting here, empty and alone,” Bement said. So, taking it one small step at a time, the two opened the center up for two days to “meet and greet.” Using IHOB’s Facebook page to spread the word, people of all ages showed up and a few times all twelve lanes were full. In less than a half hour after posting, there were 546 “likes” on the page. Keying on the “international” in IHOB, Droba said he hopes Canadians visit, too. “Many of the past customers here were Canadians, and we wanted them to feel just as welcome as the Americans.” Both country flags hang above the lanes. Renovation is in the plans, and, according to one happy bowler, “Finally, there is something to do in International Falls!”
In Yreka, CA there was a resurrection of sorts as reported by Jamie Gentner of the Siskiyou Daily News. Siskiyou Lanes Bowling Center bound for closure will reopen under new ownership. What would an environmental toxicologist and a geologist do in their spare time? Become bowling center owners. Linda Hall and her geologist husband Quentin Macdonald, who were among several people who held the first deed on the property, attended the foreclosure sale of Siskiyou Lanes and came away proprietors. “We were faced at that point in time with letting the bowling alley stay vacant until we found an owner,” Hall said. “But there was an amazing outpouring of support from the community.” Revitalizing the center will be of high priority. The target date to reopen is October 1. “To be a part of the community, I am pretty excited about it,“ Macdonald said. “I didn’t think I would be, but so many people have shown us they want to be part of this, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
After being dark for three years, Laurel Lanes will reopen in Winsted, CT under the supervision of George Noel, whose great-uncle Angelo Desanti had run the duckpin bowling house for decades. With some aesthetic improvements such as a new floor, a new coat of paint inside and out and a new sign, Laurel Lanes will be back in business by mid-September with a grand opening scheduled for October. Laurel Lanes is one of the few duckpin centers still operating in northwestern Connecticut. Three centers, three communities staying alive! 8
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GMBCOA Extends Its Influence GMBCOA (Greater Michigan Bowling Center Owners Association) has extended its influence through IBECA (Independent Bowling and Entertainment Centers Assocation). While GMBCOA will remain a Michigan-based member organization covering bowling centers, IBECA will step into the entertainment arena and include a variety of venues such as theatres, racetracks, water parks as well as family entertainment centers throughout the U.S.
Letter to Our Readers...Oops In the “Remember When’ segment in the August 2011 issue, Barbasol was given credit for “mini billboards.” However, as quipped by Erwin Knoll, journalist and editor, “Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for that rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge.” I, as well as many others, did have first-hand knowledge of those quirky highway billboard poems. We sat in backseats of rumbling autos on family vacations without the confinement of seatbelts or the technology to watch movies and play video games. We depended on those signs dotting the landscape to entertain us and they did! But I must give credit where credit is due…Burma Shave it was always you. Much chagrined, Patty Heath
SHORTS
CHARITY ON THE LANES
“LET ME COUNT THE WAYS” A poet once said that love can be shown in many ways. Charity, a form of love for community, goals and people, has no bounds and the bowling centers in our business community actualize that benevolence. Each month it seems that new, inventive ways are found by centers to capture the hearts of their communities and help each other. The 17th Annual Nassau County “Bowling for Wishes” event was held at Massapequa Bowl in Massapequa, NY, August 12. Hosted by Marty Lyons and Kenny Schroy, both former New York Jets stars, and assisted by lead volunteer John Gordon, the Marty Lyons Foundation grants wishes to children with terminal or life threatening illnesses. According to Lyons the foundation has granted close to 6,000 wishes since its inception in 1982. The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), Southeast Chapter, sponsored the 5th Annual “Get Out of the Gutter…for a Good Cause” charity bowling competition and social event held at 300 Atlanta in Dunwoody, GA. The goal was to help families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or are facing insurmountable medical expenses. Raising funds for autism, Tangerine Bowl in Quincy, IL, hosted the “Striking Back at Autism” bowling tournament. The Mike Alstott Foundation, along with former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, held an end of summer bowling party for 40 athletes from Special Olympics Florida at Seminole Lanes, Seminole, FL. The mission of Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. 100 Sheriff’s deputies descended on Royal Z Bowling Lanes in NE Richland, SC, to aid in Cops 4 Foster Kids Charity Bowling Tournament. More than $100,000 has been raised toward the effort during the last six years according to Bertram Rantin at The State.com. Town and Country Lanes in Joliet, IL, held a candlelight bowl fundraiser to raise money for “Operation Welcome You Home,” a nonprofit organization to ensure troops are honored and supported when they come home from deployment. It serves all branches of the armed forces, veterans and their families. On a more personal note, Saratoga Lanes in Maplewood, MO, was the venue for a bowling benefit supporting Mike Duerr who is battling
lymphoma. Money raised from the benefit will be used to help pay for Duerr’s mounting medical bills. While across the country in Yelm, WA, Prairie Lanes held a “Bowl for Mel” fundraiser with all proceeds from the event going to Melodea Musser’s medical and living expenses. Melodea suffered a brain hemorrhage which has left her facing a long road to recovery. September is back to school and what better activity than a “Bowling for Backpacks” which was held at Winchester Bowl! Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Lionel Hollins initiated the program to benefit underprivileged children in the Memphis community. The Seaford Middle School in Melville, NY, saw its winter and spring athletic seasons slashed from the budget. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and the Save Seaford Sports, an organization aimed to raise $141,000 to reinstate the programs, held a bowling fundraiser at 300 Long Island. At IBI, we are continually touched by all the centers that open their doors to efforts helping people who find themselves in need and to organizations that strive to help others. The bowling industry is a community of which to be proud. Send your events and benefits and let us tout you. Email info@bowlingindustry.com.
A Career in Bowling Leadership Roger Tessman, executive director of the American Bowling Congress from 1982-89 and a USBC Hall of Famer, passed away August 14 at the age of 84. Tessman was also president of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), which was recognized as the world governing body of bowling by the International Olympic Committee. A USBC press release stated that Tessman “helped successfully direct the effort to gain membership for bowling in the United States Olympic Committee. In 1985, he led another successful effort to have the sport awarded medal status in the Pan American Games and helped put the sport in the 1988 Seoul Games.” While there will be no public service, it has been noted that messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Peggy and the family c/o William Tessman, 1135 Mockingbird Lane, Plymouth, WI 53073. IBI
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SHORTS
219 Birthday Candles! The month of August and September saw celebrations combining 219 years of bowling. Royal Lanes of Oglesby, IL was started by Rudy Stubler, along with Willis and Ann Mortenson 50 years ago. Sons Bob and Jim expanded the family business and opened Super Bowl in Peru, IL. The family has come a long way from the 8-lane center in Oglesby. “The only thing that’s the same is the lane is still 60 feet long and there’re 10 pins standing,” Jim said. But he also waxed, “The smile you see on a kid’s face the first time he hooks a ball …it’s unforgettable.” The pins represent the family’s history for Brothers Jim (from left) and Bob Stubler, along with Bob’s son Nate, 12. Photo Credit: Matthew Baker, NewsTribune
A sister center to the north, Skyway Lanes of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada celebrated 54 years. Friends Emil Nalborczyk, Stan Dumala and Emil Labanowich began construction on a site of a small tool rental house, and it opened as a 24-lane house on September 21, 1957.
Perry Lanes Johnstown, New York (32 Lanes) We congratulate Asish Patel and Neil Patel on their purchase of this fine center and thank them for working with Marcel Fournier to complete the transaction. We wish Asish and Neil all the best in the future.
Bowling’s Only Full-Service Brokers, Appraisers & Financial Advisors 28200 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076
(800) 222 • 9131
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Totem Bowl of Marshalltown, IA, turned 50 in August. As Tammy R. Lawson, staff writer of the TimesRepublican.com wrote, “It still remains as one of those places where people can roll their way to a good time.” Special Olympics and the Kids Bowl Free Program are just a few of the events that keep Totem relevant and involved and growing bowlers.
Rounding out the 219 years, Jack Tate has owned and operated bowling centers for 65 years. Oakwood Bowl in Enid, Oklahoma is celebrating that achievement along with Jack’s 90th birthday. He came to Enid in 1946 to operate Enid Recreation Center and from there he owned and operated The Trails and the Shamrock and Oakwood Bowl. Children’s programs have always been the driving force for Tate. He created the Turnaround Achievers, an awards ceremony for students who have become better students which came from a conversation with a Florida bowling proprietor he met at a national convention. “I just thought it was a great idea,” he said. After 65 years in bowling, Jack Tate relaxes in his favorite recliner. Bonnie G.Vculek, Staff Photographer, Enid News and Eagle
His proudest professional moment was opening The Trails bowling center in 1957. It was the first automated bowling center in this part of the country, Tate said. [Thanks go to Phyllis Zorn, staff writer for the Enid News and Eagle.]
THE PATELS ACQUIRE PERRY LANES Perry Lanes, a 32-lane center in Johnstown, New York, has been purchased by Ashish Patel and Neil Patel. The seller was Ciena Capital LLC and Marcel Fournier of Sandy Hansell and Associates, Inc. served as the broker. The Patels own and operate three other centers in upstate New York: Holidays Lanes, Oneonta; Bowl-O-Drome, Ithaca; and Ellenville Lanes, Ellenville.
SHORTS
PEOPLEWATCHING
Pete Tomassoni
GMBCOA (Greater Michigan Bowling Center Owners Association) announced the installation of Pete Tomassoni as its new president. A third generation Michigan proprietor, Tomassoni runs Recreation Lanes, a 16-lane center in Iron Mountain. Tomassoni brings a valuable background to his new position: a Bachelor’s degree in business Administration and Associate degrees in insurance and real estate along with Brunswick
Management School and seminars covering bowling and pro shops. He is also a certified bowling coach with YABA Level II, Ritger Level II and USBC Silver. The experience and dedication to bowling on a personal as well as a business level will be an asset to the Michigan organization.
UPDATE: Hurricane Irene Weather has not been just a polite topic of conversation this year. With the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the tornadoes and flooding in the Mid-West and now Hurricane Irene, weather is anything but incidental. IBI has been in contact with Kathy Leitgeb, ED, New York BPA, and she is relieved to report that Hurricane Irene and the subsequent flooding have left most centers on the Eastern seaboard with only minor damages. However, at the closing of this issue, there was still
concern for Middleburgh Lanes in Middleburgh, NY, which is in an area that was devastated by flood waters. Jeff Dittmer, ED, Virginia BPA and Howard Baum, ED, Georgia and North and South Carolina reported that to the best of their knowledge power outages and minor damage were the worst effects. Baum was not sure about the outer banks in North Carolina and there was some concern there.
Media
WATCH
YAHOO PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON BOWLING Bowling took center stage on Yahoo’s homepage this past month with an article by Donn Fresard, Matthew Mallon and Justin Rohrlick of Minyanville Media, Inc. titled “10 American Industries Still Hanging On.” We thought it was worth repeating as bowling balls topped the list. “Bloodied, battered, but not yet down for the count, there are still pockets of US manufacturing scrappy enough to keep the lights on in the face of overseas competition.” Bowling balls; sparklers; compact discs; pianos; socks; ironing boards; pencils; sneakers; electrical relays; and, believe it or not, chopsticks!
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SHORTS
Dodgers Dream Foundation Hits a Home Run
Host James Loney enters Lucky Strike at L.A. Live
Manager Don Mattingly and his wife with actor James Denton of Desperate Housewives (right).
August 11 was the date; Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. Live was the place; and James Loney, Dodger first baseman was the host. This was Loney’s fourth consecutive season hosting the Annual State Farm Dodgers Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza. David Brennan, Dream Foundation fundraising manager, said the event, which featured players, coaches and celebrity bowlers, raised the most it has in its seven Host James Loney with young fan. years of existence. The proceeds go to the Dodgers Dream Foundation, which puts its efforts into what it calls the four bases— education, health, environment and youth sports. Loney was the Dodgers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2008 and 2010 for his commitment to the Los Angeles community. In 2008, he launched his community initiative “Loney’s Lounge,” in which 40 kids from Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Los Angeles attend a game and meet Loney on the field. Attendees bowled with at least one player for each lane and competed for prizes and, for the players, bragging rights. The ultimate prize was the “Vin Scully Experience.” The winner received four tickets to visit Scully, the legendary Dodgers announcer, in the broadcast booth before the game.
BPAA, USBC COMBINE EVENTS TO CREATE NATIONAL YOUTH SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS The BPAA and USBC have merged two of their signature events to create a national youth singles championships in 2012. The North Pointe Junior Gold Championships presented by Brunswick will take place July 14-20 in Indianapolis with a minimum scholarship fund of $250,000. It combines BPAA’s North Pointe Insurance High School Singles Championship tournament and USBC’s Junior Gold Championships. The new tournament will have no average requirements and be open to all youth bowlers who join the Junior Gold program. It will determine players for Junior Team USA for the following year.
“This will be the major tournament for all youth bowlers,” said International Bowling Campus Director of Youth Chad Murphy. “We’re merging two of our biggest assets in the youth market. This will be the Super Bowl of youth competition. It will raise the level of our sport.” “I’m excited about this as it will make the Junior Gold event an even bigger event,” commented USBC Executive Director Stu Upson. “Combining the two events created an attractive youth bowling experience.” Details on the tournament’s format, method to qualify for Junior Team USA and scholarship prize distribution will be announced in December.
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MARKETING
By Joan B “
. Taylor
I
‘d like a lane, please.” “Is that for here or to go?” “To go.” While this may sound absurd, these words can be heard throughout the Maple Family Centers, headquartered in Brooklyn, NY and at Bowl America, whose home office is in Springfield, VA. Both companies offer a completely mobile bowling lane program, but they are very different from each other in their audience. John LaSpina, president of Maple, which encompasses five centers (Maple Lanes, Brooklyn; Jib Lanes, Flushing; RVC Lanes, Rockville Centre; Farmingdale Lanes, Farmingdale; Coram Country Lanes, Coram) envisioned a complete regulation lane that he could provide to John LaSpina “anyone within a few miles of our centers, which span a 65mile line”. He saw it put into action 30 years ago when, as a member of the New York City BPA he rented a lane and placed it on Bowling Green, a public park in Manhattan. While LaSpina was enthusiastic about continuing such a program, the associations that would have spearheaded it, New York City BPA, Nassau BPA and Suffolk BPA are “long gone.” So any promoting has to be done by
individual proprietors. Maple Family Centers invested under $20,000 to build a portable regulation lane for its “Lane To Go” program, complete with approach and pin deck as well as bumpers, mirroring its own centers. LaSpina credits his head mechanic, Barry Bloomfield, with designing the lane to fit in a gardener’s trailer. He further gives a shout-out to Brunswick, “as the time and energy spent on one lane was intensive.” A school and several chambers of commerce have stepped up to reserve the lane for a fivehour session costing them $2,000 - $2,500 per outing. The lower price reflects a 10% discount for Maple Family Centers’ league bowlers who rent the lane. It takes an hour to set up the lane and four people to run it.
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1. Maple Lanes’ portable lane all packed up and ready for a day on the road. It takes 4-5 people about an hour for set up. 2. Proud parents eagerly watch to see how their newest bowling enthusiast has scored on the portable lanes. 3. John LaSpina’s Coram Country Lanes gets a PR boost from the masking unit. 14
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MARKETING Maple Lanes' portable lane being set up for a day of fun.
By “taking it to the streets,” Maple is able to promote the game and its centers by gathering data base information and the distribution of cards, free game coupons, party and catering information, and notices about leagues. On site, there may also be raffles, a prize wheel to spin, and soliciting for the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). The only down side has been the weather. The lane is not under any kind of tent or canopy, so Mother Nature can cancel a session. Other than that, ten groups employed the lane between its startup in June and early August, indicating early success. What kind of return on investment is LaSpina looking for? “How do you place a value on continuously making friends and business contacts? We are out there promoting, so I think it is paid for already. When things quiet down in the summer, we don’t lay off any of our full timers. This (portable lane) gives us a way to keep everyone on track, focused to the core element of our business, which is to perpetuate it. We could have chosen to open (our centers) later and close down during the hottest days or instead to put our employees to work showing off our centers through
Bowling To Go.” ✰✰✰ Bowl America has 19 centers with ten located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and others in and around Baltimore, Richmond, Orlando and Jacksonville. While the concept of bringing a lane to people outside the center is the same as Maple’s, the Bowl America Program, “Rolling Bowling,” is strictly a free in-school program with week-long sessions, scheduled on a first-come first served basis. Although Bowl America’s lane has been shortened to ten feet, the setup, located on a 45-foot trailer, features a regulation approach and full-size pinsetting machine. The pins and bowling balls are also legal size. While the trailer is not available for events or private parties, if an event takes place during the week at a school where the lane is, Bowl America works with the school to
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MARKETING tie bowling in with that event. Jeff Dittmer, Bowl America’s Programs Director, says the program started more than 20 years ago when his company purchased a portable lane from the BPAA to visit fairs and other gatherings. This evolved into an in-school program. They have since purchased a second trailer and currently send the two units to schools throughout Northern Virginia.
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1. One of Bowl America’s portable bowling lanes on a tractor trailer. 2. The Bowl America trailer set up and ready for students at a school in northern Virginia. The portable lane features a regulation approach, full-size pinsetting machine and legal sized pins and balls. 3. A student gets the feel of bowling.
3 A local cartage company takes the trailer to the school grounds (which have to be accessible and flat). They pop it open and leave the trailer for a full week, ready to go. Two coaches come in and give general instructions to the classes, followed by individual on-lane bowling. Because this is integrated with physical education classes, the program runs all day every day. “At the end of the week, Bowl America provides certificates to the school for the participants in addition to a coupon for a free game of bowling at one of our centers,” Dittmer said. At each location, anywhere from five to seven hundred youngsters learn the basics of bowling and see firsthand that it’s a fun sport, open to all of them, regardless of age, size, or physical ability. As the unit is self-contained and under a roof, weather is rarely an issue with the exception of a heavy downpour. The program runs during two semesters of a school year: mid-September through the end of November; and March through the end of June. On August 1 of each 16
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year, the program opens up for scheduling. About 400 schools, grades K-6, are in the area served by Bowl America. Because of the limited schedule and increasing demand, requests come in nearly three years in advance. Maybe, too, because it is free “we can’t keep up with the demand,” Dittmer said. “We don’t have to promote the program. It’s by word-of-mouth.” As with the Maple Family Centers program, Bowl America gains new and sometimes returning bowlers to its centers as a by-product of the successful street program. “Hi, I’d like a lane.” “For here or to go?” “To go.” “Sure. Do you want fries with that?” ❖
Joan Taylor is a multi-award winning bowling writer based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
COVER STORY
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COVER STORY
Evan Henerson
W
hen you get right down to it, the experience of taking in a movie and the experience of getting together for a round or two of bowling with a group of friends aren’t that dissimilar. Not if, like entrepreneur Paul Glantz, you view the common denominator between both activities as being a great and entertaining day or night out. “It’s about the experience of having fun visiting with people, not texting, being face to face and laughing and having
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COVER STORY patrons don’t have to choose. In the cinema business since 1997 with six multi-screen movie houses throughout his native Michigan, Glantz, the CEO and founder of Emagine Entertainment can certainly speak to what the movie-showing business is all about. In May 2011, Glantz entered the world of bowling proprietorship, opening his combination 16-lane boutique bowling center Star Lanes and 10-screen Emagine Cinemas in Royal Oak, a suburb just outside of Detroit. The $20 million center - two and a half years from concept to opening - is located at the site of a grocery store that had once been tabbed for a condominium complex. Now it’s a one-stop entertainment center with movies and bowling as well as food, alcoholic beverages, pool and shuffleboard. “So far we’re very pleased at the results,” Glantz reported a couple of weeks after Emagine Royal Oak opened in mid May. “This is our first foray into bowling. Every building we’ve ever opened, the business has ramped up over time. I expect this will be no different.” His optimism notwithstanding, a venture with the size and scope of the 71,000 square foot Emagine Royal Oak was a risky one in a recession-crunched economy that has hit the state of Michigan with particular vigor. Due partially to the restructuring of the auto industry, the state has not experienced economic growth since 2005. Emagine certainly did its part to help, increasing the number of construction jobs to create the center and then adding some 100 jobs once it opened. “It really has been a mini economic development boom for downtown Royal Oak, and I’m thrilled with that,” says Glantz. “Because we are believers in the theory of abundance, that 1 plus 1 can equal 3. There are lots of bars and restaurants downtown in close proximity to our venue. I’m thrilled sometimes people dine outside and come to our movies while maybe another time, they’ll come to a different restaurant and go bowling.” Glantz chose his location with care. Royal Oak, a suburban hub of 150,000, has no shortage of restaurants, bars and gathering spots. A few miles to the south in Detroit, Glantz reports that bowling is so popular that on a Saturday night last winter, he and his son couldn’t find an open lane. The bowling saturation in Detroit is one reason why Glantz says Star Lanes has no immediate interest in creating leagues. When it is suggested that since he owns a 16-lane center, ease of bowling should Emagine's Star Lanes are all dolled up and ready for action.
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One of Emagine's stadium theaters.
no longer be a problem, the CEO laughs and says that improving his own personal accessibility to the sport was never a consideration. “You know, I am not going to push patrons out of the way for me to bowl. I promise you that,” he says. “I have paid a lot of food tabs, but I only bowled once there so far, and it took me awhile before I got a strike.” At Emagine, you can get high quality food, drinks, your choice of entertainment or even rent out the High Roller facility for team building or other corporate events. If a guest is looking to take in a movie, dine and then bowl – or scramble the order – he or she could easily spend three or four hours Emagine-ing. That’s precisely what Glantz wants. Although he jokes that he would just as happily have been talked out of entering the world of boutique bowling, Glantz was more than pleased to find that feasibility studies and forecasts indicated that the bowling/movie hybrid could be a success. And, yes, even after only a couple of months
COVER STORY socks with their shoe rentals. “Of course they’re monogrammed with our name on them. Perhaps our guests will wear them again,” says Glantz with a laugh. “There are several things we sought to do to enhance the quality of the experience.” “I was doing some personal shopping to evaluate this industry,” he continues. “And I found that many centers, both traditional and boutique, when it came time for you to bowl, you often found the preceding bowlers’ balls on your ball return. In my field, that’s inappropriate. My guests aren’t porters. Part of enhancing the experience is being more courteous to those we serve.” The bowling/movies synergy allows Emagine to implement promotions like a weekday Watch-N-Roll deal where one ticket gets you the first matinee followed The billiards and bar area is a fun place to meet after a movie or before bowling. by a round of bowling. Summer themed days target the college crowd, seniors and ladies. Star Lanes has a dress code: no athletic wear, running Emagine Royal Oak under his belt, plain white T-shirts or construction boots permitted, and after 9 p.m., bowling is Glantz says he can envision future Emgaine for customers ages 21 and over only. cinemas duplicating Royal Oak’s bowling/movie Emagine employs a full time professional chef and offers professional clients hybrid model. “I looked at buying an alley in a and large private parties the opportunity to rent out the High Roller Room – rural area of Michigan about 20 years ago. I’ve allowing up to 50 people spread out over 4 private lanes on the mezzanine level been bowling since I was 7, and I’m 54 now, so, – or the Skybox Lounge for a banquet for up to 250 people. The restaurant serves yeah, it’s probably revenge of the nerds here,” casual dining fare: burgers, wood fried pizza salads and appetizers. “That’s not Glantz says. “Of course, here’s a guy whose to say we can’t pull out the white linen for a special event,” Glantz says. best game was probably 230. I never became exemplary at the game.” His business acumen, on the other hand, is unquestioned. The theater comes equipped In researching this story, we spoke to Mark Marchido, VP of Sales for with luxury seating and reserved DBOX seating US Bowling Corp, who had many interesting things to say about the in high backed leather chairs. The facility is set up ownership, management, and facility of Emagine. Paul Glantz is a very such that guests can order a meal or a drink successful movie theater operator who wanted to expand into the bowling from anywhere and have it delivered to them. For market. He took inspiration from Lucky Strike in Novi, MI, which is near the introduction of bowling, Glantz conducted one of his theater locations. When the time came to build his next theater, market research and came up with some Glantz wanted to incorporate bowling into the concept, and he called upon luxurious, experience-enhancing touches such as US Bowling. “During the process, one of the things I was most impressed giving every patron a pair of complimentary with was that Paul charged his three managers, Chris Brandt, Gary Butske,
EMAGINE-ATIVE VIEWPOINT
Emagine installed solar panels to keep costs down and the lights on.
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Jr., and George Yarbenet, with learning everything they could about the bowling business and operations,” remarked Marchido. The three managers attended Bowl Expo and other industry events including the Foundations Entertainment University, and were instrumental in helping Glantz make informed business decisions. The US Bowling Corp team enjoyed working with the Emagine team and needed to work collaboratively to think of novel ways to deal with unexpected issues. For instance, US Bowling Corp saw first hand how the client got creative with challenging space issues regarding house ball storage (see story). Additionally, Marchido said, “The private party suite is one of the best we’ve ever done” with four lanes, billiards and a full bar. One unusual element of this party suite is that it’s located on the second level of the facility. “Emagine” all of the possibilities that can be done at your center with a little help from bowling manufacturers, suppliers and your creativity.
COVER STORY
The grand entry into the Emagine and Star Lanes complex.
A peek into Emagine's upscale kitchen.
The chic private party suite overlooks the grand entry.
His lifelong fondness for bowling notwithstanding, Glantz says the original aim for the Royal Oak property at Eleven Mile Road was a straight ahead movie theater plan. Since he could only acquire the land in its entirety and would be granted a limited number of parking spaces for a movie theater only, Glantz began considering a second complimentary use that would not require an excessive amount of extra parking. Hatching the idea of adding an upscale boutique bowling center, Glantz set about doing research, using Jerry Merola CFO and partner of New Jersey-based Amusement EntertainmentManagement LLC as his consultant/professional devil’s advocate. “I told Jerry I would pay him more to dissuade me from the idea than to reinforce my perception that it would work,” says Glantz with a laugh. “His conclusion was that there would be enormous synergies in these forms of entertainment. Lo and behold, we have this lovely combination venture.” Of course, he’s skipping a few steps. The entitlement process alone took 18 24
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months with an extra nine months of construction. Emagine took part in nearly 10 public hearings including several that related to the venue’s controversial proposal to obtain a liquor license that would allow alcohol to be served in both the theater and Star Lanes. The movie/bowling combo, while rare, is not unprecedented. IPic chain in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been operating a high end movie theater/bowling center/nightclub at Bayshore Town Center since the fall of 2007. Glantz, who claims that apart from Facebook and Google “there is no such thing as an original idea,” has never visited IPic. But Merola has. “Both centers are extremely well done with fine décor and excellent food service,” says Merola. “The difference from where I sit is that Emagine is tied to a downtown location within walking distance, with most consumers parking in the main downtown hub.” Both Merola and Glantz expect the entertainment hybrid to gain in popularity. It’s not as if the two are alien species. In fact, one of Glantz’s 18 screen theaters, in Novi, MI shares a shopping center with a Lucky Strike. “By the way,” Glantz adds, “we were there first.” Star Lanes earned its name in part because of the movie connection, and partially because of a connection to Glantz’s bowling past. Star Lanes was Glantz’s local lane in Southfield Michigan. As a boy, Glantz and his father would fill up a $10 Royalty Card and spend the afternoon bowling up to 10 games at 25 cents a line. “When I started looking for a name (for the Royal Oak facility), Star Lanes was available and I grabbed it,” says Glantz. “We’ve enhanced it with the tagline, “At Star Lanes, you’re the star.” ❖
Evan Henerson is a features and lifestyle journalist who lives in Los Angeles. His work has appeared in TV Guide, American Theatre, Orange Coast and the Los Angeles Daily News where he was a staff writer and critic for nine years.
FEATURES
Under the Stars in Fort Collins, Colorado Proprietors Dani Grant and Matthew Hoeven blend family and music at their four centers & outdoor music venue oeven atthew H M d n a ant Dani Gr
By Robin Breuner
F
Photos Courtesy of Kit Chalberg
or the last ten years, Colorado couple Dani Grant and Matthew Hoeven’s lives have been a labor of love after purchasing two rundown bowling centers in Fort Collins, Hoeven’s hometown. The young couple had grown tired of dragging their baby daughter from city to city while selling their furniture line to prospective businesses. They were ready to put down roots and beautiful Fort Collins, an hour north of Denver, was the perfect place to do it. “We wanted to find a business that we could get involved with where we could do three things,” said Grant, co-owner with Hoeven of Chipper’s Lanes and The Mishawaka is nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
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FEATURES
The outdoor deck at the Chipper's in Estes Park gives the location it's unique flavor.
Mishawaka. “One was to involve our family. Another was to open it up to our community in that we could invite all walks of life to come into our place including non-profits and special needs people. Lastly, we just wanted to have fun, and we thought, ‘What could be better than bowling, beer, pizza and lots of laughter?’” During their due diligence, a friend of Matt’s deceased brother, Chip Hoeven, informed them that the owners of the local Horseshoe Lanes might be interested in selling. According to Grant, they met with the owners and the stars aligned. Very quickly, that center along with a second one, were theirs. They named them “Chipper’s” after Matt’s brother. “Matt and I are both entrepreneurs, so it was really about learning the model and learning how to understand the operation of a bowling center and then implementing some entrepreneurial ideas that we thought could take it from your granddaddy’s bowling alley to the family fun center that we envisioned for it,” said Grant. Once the two Fort Collins centers, Horseshoe Lanes and North College, were running smoothly, they moved to acquire two more centers, one in Broomfield located between Denver and Boulder, and one in Estes Park, a resort town at the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park. What keeps things interesting is that each of the bowling centers serves a
unique demographic. “The Broomfield center is really in a metropolitan area, a suburb of Denver, so there are all kinds of different bowling centers within the vicinity as well as other kinds of family entertainment,” said Hoeven. According to him, they’ve had a string of issues at the Broomfield center in particular. After purchasing the center, they discovered that it had much more deferred maintenance than they had anticipated. They went through four different mechanics in just a few years trying to correct the situation. “We had a horrendous couple of years of tough league bowling experience where we were having to move folks frequently. We were having a lot of ball damage,” said Hoeven. “We were doing our damndest to try to get it fixed. I felt like I had lost some credibility in the eyes of some of the senior bowlers because things just didn’t get fixed quickly enough for them. That has been fixed today. We finally found a mechanic who’s been wonderful.” Estes Park is a small resort town where there are many different family entertainment options. The goal at the Estes center is to strike a balance between the winter clientele and the highly active summer resort
Chipper's North College location in Fort Collins.
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FEATURES The chipmunk theme carries over in the Broomfield location of Chipper's Lanes.
of a league house for competitive bowlers. That’s where they host their tournaments. The North College center is closer to Colorado State University and is their fun house where they promote live music and other programs targeted toward the recreational bowlers. One of their programs stretches far beyond any kind of bowling. In the summer, sand volleyball leagues in the parking lot compete with and complement the bowling inside. They host a popular Summer Concert Series on crowd. Estes is only an eight-lane center versus Broomfield and North College that have 24 lanes and Horseshoe that has 36. Fort Collins, a city of 144,000 people, is not only their home base but also the heart of the couple’s business and community involvement. According to Hoeven, it’s been a little bit easier in Fort Collins versus the other towns to balance the recreational bowlers versus the serious bowlers since they have two centers, each with its own flavor. The Horseshoe center is much more
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the sand courts. “We have a lot of breweries in Fort Collins that do craft brews. Many of them do bowling leagues and volleyball leagues in the summertime, and they like to compete against each other,” said Grant. “I love the recreational folks who are sweating while they’re bowling and who say, “I can’t believe I’m sweating! I tell them, ‘You’re playing a sport!’” Grant said that it’s not just about the bowling for them. It’s
FEATURES to play on an emerging artist’s stage. She spent a lot of time getting to know the music community through the bookings and was delighted to see how it was bringing positive awareness to the local music scene.
Patrons enjoying the evening at the Horsetooth location.
about family entertainment and these creative programs have been great for their summertime activity. Hoeven thinks that there’s room for both the serious and the whimsy within the same center. He said that they reserve Monday through Friday for league bowlers, but later in the evening is mostly geared toward the rec bowlers. “We’re big fans of the Rock & Bowl model, and I’m a huge music fan. I’ve been striving throughout my career to figure out how to involve music somehow. It makes me happy,” said Grant. “When we saw the draw of the college kids at North College, we thought, ‘Let’s add some live music to this and see what happens.’” Grant said that they started with plywood out on a lane as a makeshift first stage. From there, they engineered a suspended stage over the top of the lanes so that the kids could actually bowl right underneath the band while they’re playing. “You can’t see the pins that you’re shooting at unless you move back and forth depending on where the musicians are and where the drum set is,” said Hoeven. “With the automatic scoring, it’s kind of a fun, different challenge – bowling where you can’t quite see it! You’ve got to get down on your knees and look to see underneath the frame. It’s not for everyone, but the musicians always have fun with it.” Grant said that when she first started booking local bands she was worried that it would be challenging to consistently find good musicians, but she was immediately shocked by the incredible amount of interest. Everyone wanted the opportunity A bowler goes for a strike while a band plays a set at the North College location. 30
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“We’ve maintained our emerging artist’s stage at Chipper’s,” said Grant. “It’s a great place for bands to have their first real run at a live gig in a low pressure situation, and it’s a fun environment.” In recent years, Grant’s interest in music has moved well beyond Chipper’s. In 2010, she started a non-profit called SpokesBUZZ that is dedicated to promoting the city of Fort Collins through live music. “I tried to create an opportunity to drive some economics to the city of Fort Collins through publicizing our incredible arts and culture community through live music,” said Grant. It was through SpokesBUZZ that another amazing musical opportunity presented itself in the form of Mishawaka or as it’s more affectionately known, ‘the Mish’. Mishawaka is a historical venue located thirty minutes outside of Fort Collins in the town of Bellevue. According to Grant, in 1916, a local man named Walter S. Thompson was riding his motorcycle up the Poudre Canyon and stopped on the Mishawaka property. He reported to have heard music playing and decided right then to homestead the property. His wife and he, both musicians, agreed that for the next three years he would live on the property and build a dance hall, the foundation of which still exists today.
FEATURES
A night time concert at The Mishawaka.
but in recent years, the site has fallen victim to neglect. Last year, Grant and Hoeven bought it and through an incredible amount of sweat equity, are restoring its former reputation as an amazing venue for both local and national talent. Recent bands playing the Mishawaka have included Trombone Shorty, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Leo Kottke and Stephen Marley. “There was a ton of work to get it up and running. In the first couple of weeks, we removed 120 cubic yards of trash from the grounds,” said Grant. “This community has so many ties to the Mishawaka. Everyone has a story about when they were a kids at the Mish or when they were a child and watched square dancing or attended a wedding there. It’s a beautiful thing to keep alive. There is no other venue like this that resides on the banks of a raging river,” she said. Hoeven said that from the beginning, their goal with the bowling centers was always to focus on the community as a whole. Mishawaka fits perfectly into that profile. He said that what they’re trying to recreate with Mishawaka is to take it back to its roots as a community center. “Back in the 1920’s, people would come there for square dancing, for getting together for holidays, and those kinds of things,” said Hoeven. “Mishawaka along with our bowling centers is really about the community as a whole. We are very interested in providing something for everyone and do our darndest to create programs that will provide fun and entertainment to the entire community.” ❖
Chipper's Lanes mascots dance their way down a Colorado State University spirit parade.
Over the years, different owners contributed additional features such as an outdoor stage and an amphitheatre. For many years, the Mishawaka drew national musical acts,
Robin Breuner is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to IBI. She lives in Marin County, California.
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OFF THE CLOCK
By Bree Gutierrez
L
onnie Mitchell, owner of Kingpin Enterprise Pinsetter Service and Repair, is leading a double life. During the work week he is a professional in the bowling industry, traveling from destination to destination running his service and consulting business. Mitchell has also been working with Twelve Strike as a sales rep for the past seven years covering Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. But when a Renaissance Fair comes to town, Mitchell dons another persona. He is a lost, retired pirate confused and wandering around trying to find his ship. “It started about 13 years ago at Scarborough Fair in Waxahachie, Texas,” Mitchell said. “We’re more ‘playtrons’ because we don’t get paid for what we do. We get dressed up in full garb, and we entertain. We have our own little skits, so we mingle with the crowds and we entertain some of the regular guests. It’s fulfilling because it’s our escape from the normal reality.” The key is to create a character when dressing in full costume (or garb) for Renaissance festivals. “When I’m a pirate, I’m an old retired pirate that’s lost his ship,” he said. “My pirate doesn’t really have a name. He’s kinda got Alzheimer’s, before it was known as Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t know his name, he doesn’t know who he is, where he came from. All he knows is he lost his ship and he’s trying to find his ship. He’s just wandering about.” Mitchell recalled one memorable experience when he approached a little boy on his father’s shoulders. “He was about 2 or 3 years old and I went up to him and I asked, ‘Arrggg matey! Where’s my ship? You stole my ship didn’t you!’ and the little boy said, ‘No I didn’t.’ So I said, ‘Where’s my ship?’ and the little boy said, ‘Did you look in the water?’ and I shook my finger at him and said, ‘Arrggg! You’re right! I didn’t look in the water.’ It was so sweet…I turned to my wife and said, ‘that kid is going places.’” Although Mitchell will dress in typical pirate attire with an open shirt with laces and a scarf cap, he tries not to look like the stereotype. “I try to be my own character,” he said. “Instead of a parrot or a monkey on my shoulder, I will carry a Griffin on my shoulder, sort of like what you see in Harry Potter. It’s got big wings but doesn’t fly; he just kind of sits there on my shoulder.” Mitchell explained that a Griffin is not a bird. “A Griffin is a cross between a lion, the king of the beasts, and an eagle, the king of the birds,” he said. “So since he’s the king of both the air and the land, then he’s the protector of all
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mankind.” Mitchell explained the creature’s head moves around and looks at people as they walk by. “It’s not battery operated, it’s actually operated through a cable through the creature’s tail,” he said. “The tail you stick down your back inside the garb and the cable comes out the sleeve of your shirt into your hand so you can actually control it in your hand while you’re walking down the midway and the head moves and looks around. Nobody sees any control to it, they just see this creature looking at them when they walk by.” Mitchell’s pirate identity isn’t limited to Renaissance festivals. “We also occasionally get invited to go out to participate with some children’s daycare centers which is really quite fun,” he said. Other times, depending on the festival, he will dress as a Scotsman. “As Scotsmen, we actually protect, who we call the Queen of Scotland, Queen Margaret, and we are part of the Scottish guard,” Mitchell said. “We protect the queen, and we march in the parade that they have each day at noon. We have some Scots that have the bagpipes, the drums, you know, full regimental march.” Mitchell coordinates with other local
OFF THE CLOCK “Scotsmen” to make plans when attending Renaissance festivals. “We’ll have a Scottish invasion at a local bar where we’ll dress up in our Scots outfits and go raid a nightclub,” Mitchell said jokingly. “It’s great fun, it really is. There are quite a few Irish pubs throughout the Dallas, Fort Worth area that we enjoy visiting. Even the people that are not part of our group, you [will see] dressed in full kilt at these pubs.” His Scottish garb includes an authentic kilt and a Scotsman’s cap with a feather in it. “During the parade I’m carrying a halberd,” Mitchell said. “It’s a tall hatchet…a man that beheads people would have a halberd.” Mitchell said he also has a pirate’s gun that he will wear with his kilt and his pirate’s outfit. Playing a pirate or a Scotsman at the Renaissance festivals is an alternate reality that Mitchell says he really enjoys. “We call that our reality and anything outside of the Renaissance festival is our insanity”. ❖
Mitchell marches in a parade (upper left). A proud Mitchell as a Scotsman (upper right). Mitchell's wife Natalie (l) also partakes in Medieval fun (lower left). Mitchell with his grandson, Stephen(lower right).
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Bree Gutierrez, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, is a freelance writer and preschool teacher residing in Southern California with her husband and son.
SHOWCASE SCORING SYSTEMS
MULTI-USE CARDS
NO SWEAT
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FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY
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SMALL GOLF, BIG FUN
The Twelve Strike Scoring system uses the latest version of our Central Desk Pro and Point Of Sale (POS) which is now integrated into a single computer running under the Microsoft Windows 7 environment! Visit www.twelvestrike.com for more information. We provide 24/7/365 technical support to all of our customers. Learn More About Scoring! Make product inquires or obtain pricing details by emailing us at Sales@twelvestrike.com or calling 562.984.6240.
Wouldn't it be great if your hands didn’t sweat and you had a consistent grip all night long? Now you can. By applying Kegel’s ‘No Sweat...Get a Grip', the easy to use odor free spray, you will keep your hands moisture free through your entire set without having to deal with the mess that powder based hand products leave behind. You will no longer have to worry about weak or broken hand dryers. For more information visit www.kegel.net
Ground Round Sports Grille is ideal for bowling centers with a known brand and a sports lounge atmosphere suited for this venue. The menu features known Ground Round items along with a greater focus on appetizers, sandwiches, salads, kid’s meals and pizza. Adults can enjoy full liquor, beer & wine service. Our franchise program offers ideal facility designs, training and operating systems to optimize your space and results. For more information, visit www.groundround.com.
With Vector Plus UChoose now bowlers can choose their own themed environments right at the lane and themes are applied instantaneously so bowlers don’t have to wait. Choose from an array of creative new themes designed for every age and skill level—from kids to adults and from casual to competitive bowlers. It corresponds to specific occasions: parties, holidays, leagues, and open play For more information, contact your Brunswick Representative, call 1-800-YES-BOWL or 1-231-725-4966 or visit http://www.brunswickbowling.com/products/vector-plus/.
Bowling Rewards offers a revolution in league and casual bowler marketing. In addition to basic gift, games and rewards card processing, Bowling Rewards helps proprietors build a constantly growing customer database which centers own and can access in real time. Bowling Rewards also offers integrated email and mobile text marketing services with full service designers and consultants! Call toll free at 1-800-9781338 x1 or email steve@bowlingrewards.com for more information. Visit www.bowlingrewards.com
National Ticket Co. is one of the most respected names in wristband and ticket printing. Our expertise in the printing of stock, custom-printed, or bar coded redemption tickets is the reason our tickets are preferred by more game manufacturers than any others. We offer gift cards and membership cards for cashless integration. Wristbands of all types are available in stock or custom printed. Visit www.nationalticket.com for details!
Firestone Financial has specialized in financing the needs of family entertainment businesses like yours for almost half a century. Take advantage of our manufactured sponsored loans and acquire the latest coin-operated equipment for interest rates as low as 0%. For more information please call us at 1-800-851-1001 ext. 41 or visit us at www. firestonefinancial.com/programs.
Mini Golf Inc. creates pre-fab miniature golf courses that can be utilized indoors as well as outdoors and are the perfect added amenity for any bowling center looking to add family fun. These courses are easy to set-up and move. Besides having your choice of 9 or 18 holes, glow in the dark miniature golf is also available. For more information, visit www.minigolfinc.com or call 570-489-8623 IBI
October 2011
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SHOWCASE SCORING UPGRADE
HOT POPCORN
INNOVATIVE PLAYGROUNDS
LEAGUE HELP
New Center Consulting announces the latest upgrade in the D&J Marketing's Evolution Scoring Line up: 42" Commercial LCDs with BUILT IN DIGITAL SIGNAGE. These TVs not only come with a 2-year ON-SITE warranty, but they have a programmable digital signage package on-board the unit. So don't buy or sell any equipment until you have talked to Glenn Hartshorn at New Center Consulting at (248)375-2751 and speak directly to the owner.
Soft Play is the global leader of contained playground equipment and continues to pursue its mission to provide safe forms of play. As part of PlayPower Inc., Soft Play leverages this strong backing and manufacturing expertise to develop the most innovative products and safe designs. There can be no better choice than one with the extensive experience, service history and product design as Soft Play. For more information call 800-782-7529 or visit www.softplay.com.
Nothing says popcorn like the Ultra 60 Special from Gold Medal® Products. Our most popular popper features the improved Auto Shutoff for electrical power savings, along with a new, lower price and an E-Z Kleen kettle. Tempered glass is scratch resistant and it has twinarm kettle suspension for safety and cleaning. New thicker Plexiglas doors, as well. To learn more or order yours, call 800-543-0862 or visit www.gmpopcorn.com.
League season is here and we have the right tool for your busy schedule and center needs, The League Hotline from QubicaAMF. Now you can submit questions about setting up leagues in the BLS in Conqueror Pro—how to set up, restart or reset your leagues—and you will get a response within 48 hours. The best part—it’s FREE! Simply email your name, center name, contact number and a question to LeagueHotline@qubicaamf.us.
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DATEBOOK
OCTOBER 2–4 West Coast Bowling Centers Convention Silver Legacy Hotel, Reno, NV Sandi Thompson, 925-485-1855 Sandi@norcalbowling.com IBI
4-5 Kansas State BPA Annual Meeting Pittsburg, KS Mary Thurber 913-638-1817 10-12 East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ Lee Ann Norton, 800-343-1329 Leeann@bpaa.com IBI
10-14 GS Series Pinsetter Training Brunswick Training Center
Muskegon, MI Email: schools@brunbowl.com 800-937-2695 16-18 Mid-South Proprietor Trade Show Gold Strike Hotel, Tunica MS Dwayne Hippensteel 501-860-6376 17-21 Vector Scorer Maintenance Training Brunswick Training Center Muskegon, MI Email: chools@ brunbowl.com 800-937-2695 25-26 Southwest Bowling Proprietors Idea Share Sam’s Town, Shreveport, LA Karen Miller k.miller@texasbowlingcenter.org
IBI 26 Bowling Centers of Southern CA Annual Meeting and Partner Fair Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton CA Scott Frager, 818-789-0900 ScottF@SoCalBowling.com
NOVEMBER 9-10 BCA of Ohio Seminars & Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus, OH Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363 6-11 Bowling University School For Bowling Center Management International Bowling Campus Arlington TX Email: education@bpaa.com; 800-343-1329 www.BowlingUniversity.net 14-15 Illinois State BPA Fall Annual Meeting Hotel Arista-Citygate Centre Naperville, IL Bill Duff billduff@bowlillinois.com 30-12/7 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Northcliff Bowling Centre Anne-Marie Board amboard@qubicaamf.com www.qubicaamf.com
JANUARY 2012 22-26 BOWLING SUMMIT The Meritage, Napa valley CA www.bpaa.com/summit
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Official magazine of the convention
CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE FOR SALE: General Electric & National front end motors with gear boxes for AMF 82-70 pinsetters–$275 ea. Excellent condition! Call Brian (716) 715-3930 or Kevin (716) 807-2194.
USED BRUNSWICK PARTS, A2 parts and assemblies. Large Inventory. www.usedpinsetterparts.com. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-2556436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751. FOR SALE: (3) AMF-312 chairs; (8 sets) ball racks and hoods. Best Offer. Call AC or Franny @ (845) 794-5561. FOR SALE: 40+ 82-70s . Hippensteelcd@aol.com
EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Phone (608) 764-1464. USED WOOD BOWLING LANE BEDS. WILL REMOVE! MIDWEST LOCATION PREFERABLE. (74) 1914 OR baxterlee@embargmail.com.
CENTERS FOR SALE
Pinsetter Parts New from ALL major manufacturers. HUGE IN STOCK inventory. USED Brunswick Scoring parts, AS90 cameras, processors, lane cables, monitors, and PC boards. Order online @ 888SBIBOWL.com or (888) 724-2695. The Mechanics Choice! FRAMEWORX SCORING: Sold by the lane or spare parts. 68 lanes Complete system including 4 registers & back office. Contact Bill Rossman @ Parkway Bowl (619) 4484111 or bill-r@nd-inc.com. AMF XL & BOSS scoring for small and large centers with LCD monitors. (712) 253-8730 .
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.
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CLASSIFIEDS
CENTERS FOR SALE 16-lane center in Southern Colorado mountains. Great condition. 18,000 s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge. Paved parking 100 + vehicles. Established leagues & tournaments. $950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155. CENTRAL WISCONSIN: 12 lanes, auto scoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Great food sales. Yearly tournament. Attached, large 3 bedroom apartment w/ fireplace. $550K. (715) 223-8230. NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s, Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game & pool rooms. See pics and info @ www.visitcolby.com or contact Charles (785) 443-3477. 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. 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.
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CENTERS FOR SALE NORTHERN WISCONSIN: 12-lane Brunswick A-2s, Vector Plus FrameworX scoring, kitchen, & pro shop. PRICED TO SELL. Call Bruce (715) 614-7779.
SOUTHERN INDIANA (close to Indianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick center with lounge, liquor license & movie theater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business. Owner retiring. Great investment! (765) 349-1312. 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. 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.
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
CLASSIFIEDS MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Immediate Installation. $5,900.00 & up. 2021 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com
"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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October 2011
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE
For FLORIDA CENTERS Call DAVID DRISCOLL & ASSOCIATES 1-800-444-BOWL P.O. Box 189 Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737 AN AFFILIATE OF SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES
MARSHALL ELECTRONICS • Foul Units • Electronic Scoring Repair • Chassis Boards • AMF Accuscore Plus • Curtain Wall Chassis - $285 • Brunswick Scoring We repair all types of monitor boards. Call for a complete price list. 593 Loxley Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753
732-240-6554 • 800-782-9494
www.merepair.webs.com
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October 2011
CENTERS FOR SALE
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. NORTHWEST LOUISIANA: 12-LANE Brunswick center. REDUCED TO SELL NOW! Includes auto scoring, glow bowling, pizza, large dining area & video poker. Good income. Long Lease. Great opportunity. Call Mike (318) 578-0772. NW INDIANA (Lake Michigan/National Lake Shore area): DRASTICALLY REDUCED— PRICED TO SELL! 32-lane center, family owned & operated since 1997 on 6.6 acres. Also billiards, arcade, pro shop, full-service restaurant, established leagues & MORE! $2,300,000. (219) 921-4999.
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.
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
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 ALABAMA: Recently remodeled, split house w/24 synthetic lanes (16 & 8) in 28,000 s/f building in shopping center; Brunswick A2s & 2000 seating; AccuScore Plus; VIA returns & storage tables; systems for Cosmic; established leagues; snack bar, pro shop & game/pool table area. Nearest competition 28 miles w/ colleges & Honda factory within minutes. Need to sell due to health. Reasonably priced. (435) 705-0420.
CLASSIFIEDS PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70 S.S. & M.P. MACHINES Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. Board Exchange & Repair! A reasonable alternative for Chassis and P.C. Board Exchanges MIKE BARRETT Call for Price List
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576 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/
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
LOCKER KEYS FAST! •Keys & Combo Locks for all Types of Lockers. •One week turnaround on most orders. •New locks All types •Used locks 1/2 price of new
All keys done by code #. No keys necessary.
E-mail: huff@inreach.com FAX YOUR ORDER TO US AT:
530-432-2933
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEY INT’L 530-432-1027 Orange County Security Consultants
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October 2011
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full service restaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables, karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net. IDAHO, Rigby: 8-lane center with Brunswick A-2 machines; refinished wooden lanes; $85,000 for all assets; seller lease back property. (208) 535-9905. www.arthurberry.com.
SOUTHERN NEVADA: Excellent opportunity for qualified person! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, Twelve Strike scoring. $60,000 for business and equipment only. Long term lease available. Building being remodeled. Call Steve (702) 293-6072; cell (702) 414-5321; email: ljjaa1414@yahoo.com.
WEST TENNESSEE: Nice 24-lane center. Hippensteelcd@aol.com
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October 2011
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
CLASSIFIEDS FOR LEASE PRO SHOP: National Lake Shore area of NW Indiana. Call (219) 921-4999.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com. 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 $278. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call (888) 243-0685. AMF 65-25 CHASSIS: Conversion, Repair, Replace & exchange. Includes rewiring, requested repairs, conversion to MK 30 board system and converting chassis to new PR system where applicable. TOTAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! References available. CHASSIS DOCTORS (330) 314-8951.
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY
BUY
SEL L
Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767
Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - bpitx@texasonline.net
www.bowlingpartsandequipment.com
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.com for more details on our current openings. Act Now! Apply Today!
We could not have gotten our loan without him. Max Cook and Fred Kaplowitz North Bowl Spokane, WA
POSITION WANTED Small Brunswick bowling center to manage with option to buy. Good credentials and lots of experience running centers including new league formation and outside sales promotion. Increase the bottom line! Call Dan now. (319) 327-1916 or (515) 771-7606.
The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments
Ken Paton (503) 645-5630 www.kenpaton.com kpaton@kenpaton.com
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
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EASY WAYS
to place your Classified Ad in International Bowling Industry Magazine Call (818) 789-2695
Fax
(818) 789-2812
E-mail info@bowlingindustry.com
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October 2011
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REMEMBER WHEN
1960 G
ood beer, good times and bowling. In 1960, these fun-loving couples had no idea that their favorite beverage would finally close its doors in 1965 after 85 years of fine brewing. Jake Ruppert, the son of Bavarian immigrants, capitalized on Washington Irving’s fictitious, 17th century Dutch family, the Knickerbockers, to establish one of the major beers in America, alongside George Ehret’s Franziskaner. Our gentleman in the center, a little smug possibly due to a high score, seems oblivious to what is to come. Yet the others might be saying, “Here’s to a good run!” On the other hand, it might be the sport and not the beer that is in question. In 1960, there were approximately 9,467 certified centers in the U.S. and the ABC touted 4,000,000 members. Could it be possible that our preppy bowlers were raising their glasses to toast that… beers may come and beers may go, but bowling lives forever! Well, a thought, if not a fact. ❖
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