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The World's Only Magazine Devoted Exclusively to the Business of Bowling
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4
6ISSUE AT HAND
Emagine thePossibilities
By Scott Frager
8SHORTS
Dodgers DreamFoundation
RememberingRoger Tessman
Royal Lanes in Oglesby, ILand Totem Bowl in
Marshalltown, IA turn 50.
14MARKETING
Bowling Down theHighway
Maple Family Centers andBowl America take
bowling on the roadBy Joan Taylor
18COVER STORY
Emagine’s Star Lanes isMagic & More!
Paul Glantz thinks big andbrings an entertainment
experience toRoyal Oak, MI
By Evan Henerson
32
CONTENTS
26FEATUREChipper’s Lanes &The MishawakaProprietors’ love for music,bowling and communitycome together in FortCollins, COBy Robin Breuner
32OFF THE CLOCKJack Sparrow MeetsBraveheartThe double life ofLonnie MitchellBy Bree Gutierrez
46REMEMBER WHEN1960Ruppert’sKnickerbocker Beer
35 Showcase
38 Datebook
39 Classifieds
VOL 19.10THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
IBI October 2011
18
26
PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager
[email protected]: scottfrager
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISINGChris Holmes
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTGregory Keer
OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath
CONTRIBUTORSRobin BreunerBree Gutierrez
Patty HeathEvan Henerson
Joan Taylor
SPECIAL PROJECTSJackie Fisher
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTIONDesignworks
www.dzynwrx.com(818) 735-9424
FOUNDERAllen Crown (1933-2002)
13245 Riverside Dr., Suite 501Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 789-2695(BOWL)Fax (818) 789-2812
www.BowlingIndustry.com
HOTLINE: 888-424-2695SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy ofInternational Bowling Industry is sent free toevery bowling center, independently ownedpro shop and collegiate bowling center inthe U.S., and every military bowling centerand pro shop worldwide. Publisher reservesthe right to provide free subscriptions tothose individuals who meet publicationqualifications. Additional subscriptions maybe purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50per year. Subscriptions for Canada andMexico are $65 per year, all other foreignsubscriptions are $80 per year. All foreignsubscriptions should be paid in U.S. fundsusing International Money Orders.POSTMASTER: Please send new as well asold address to International Bowling Industry,13245 Riverside Drive, Suite 501, ShermanOaks, CA 91423 USA. If possible, pleasefurnish address mailing label.Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2010, B2B Media,Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprintedwithout the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
Cover photo by Doug Ashley
6 IBI October 2011
THE ISSUE AT HAND
Michigan is a beautiful state with anabundance of natural resources, amazingpeople and, of course, is home to severalhundred bowling centers. I believe thenumber to be 305. Actually, 306 if youadd the recently opened Star Lanes inRoyal Oak this past May.
The entire state has, arguably, beenone of the hardest hit during the U.S.economic crisis. Locatedin the southeast portionof the state just outsideof Detroit, Royal Oak mayas well be in a differentstate entirely. While Detroitis a city that is sufferingfrom an unemploymentrate topping 20%, suburbslike Royal Oak, are faring much better. Somuch better, that entrepreneur and movietheater chain chief executive, Paul Glantzis betting on Michigan, Royal Oak andbowling to take his latest businesscreation to new heights.
When I first learned about Glantz andhis bold and innovative project frommanufacturer US Bowling Corporation, Iknew I had to research it. My editorialinstincts kicked in and my gut told methis would be a story we’d be featuring
in IBI. Truth be told, my team and I scheduled this for our Octobercover story even before the first photos arrived.
How appropriate that a theater chain called Emagine Cinemasthought of bowling as it’s way of standing out amongst thecrowded movie theater market and in a challenging economicenvironment.
This past month I had a chance to visit northern Michigan for afew days of business meetings and to celebrate a friend’s 70thbirthday. The Upper Peninsula (UP) as it is known is light years away
from the big cities and the actionof southern Michigan.
During my 72 hours up northat my friend’s cottage overlookinga slow, winding river, I had my firstopportunity in many years to trulyunplug from the day-to-day ofbeing a father, husband andpublisher.
The ever-lit campfire and never-ending fellowship of being aroundfriends– while making new friends– helped me rediscover a creativeside of my life that had been locked away.
There must be something in the Michiganair that fosters a sense of creativity and free-spirited thinking. Even I could Emagine thepossibilities.
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND [email protected]
Emagine the Possibilities
The worlds of Internet, email, Facebook, twitter and all the variations and derivations thatgo with them, have given proprietors a plethora of ways to draw in business but also newheadaches. 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 makea center’s Facebooking effective. He says, ”Using Facebook properly can be a great boostto 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. Youwill 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.
�THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com
8 IBI October 2011
SHORTS
While it is noted on many occasions thatcenters close and become big box stores, itis heartening when communities supportentrepenurial efforts to keep bowling in theircommunities.
International Falls, MN had Timber Pinswhich was forced to close its doors sometimeback. Larry Bement and Harley Droba decidedit was time to reopen the doors and whatbetter name in International Falls than IHOB,International House of Bowling.
“It was just sitting here, empty and alone,”Bement said. So, taking it one small step ata 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 anda few times all twelve lanes were full. In less than a half hour after posting, there were546 “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 justas welcome as the Americans.” Both country flags hang above the lanes. Renovationis in the plans, and, according to one happy bowler, “Finally, there is something to doin International Falls!”
In Yreka, CA there was a resurrection of sorts as reported by Jamie Gentner of theSiskiyou Daily News. Siskiyou Lanes Bowling Center bound for closure will reopen undernew ownership.
What would an environmental toxicologist and a geologist do in their spare time?Become bowling center owners. Linda Hall and her geologist husband QuentinMacdonald, 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 untilwe found an owner,” Hall said. “But there was an amazing outpouring of support fromthe community.”
Revitalizing the center will be of high priority. The target date to reopen isOctober 1.
“To be a part of the community, I am pretty excited about it,“ Macdonald said. “Ididn’t think I would be, but so many people have shown us they want to be part ofthis, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
After being dark for three years, Laurel Lanes will reopen in Winsted, CT under thesupervision of George Noel, whose great-uncle Angelo Desanti had run the duckpinbowling 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 inbusiness by mid-September with a grand opening scheduled for October. LaurelLanes is one of the few duckpin centers still operating in northwestern Connecticut.
Three centers, three communities staying alive!
Larry Bement, left and Harley Droba standoutside the new IHOB
GMBCOA ExtendsIts Influence
GMBCOA (Greater MichiganBowling Center Owners Association)has extended its influence throughIBECA (Independent Bowling andEntertainment Centers Assocation).While GMBCOA will remain aMichigan-based member organizationcovering bowling centers, IBECA willstep into the entertainment arena andinclude a variety of venues such astheatres, racetracks, water parks aswell as family entertainment centersthroughout the U.S.
In the “Remember When’ segment inthe August 2011 issue, Barbasol was givencredit for “mini billboards.” However, asquipped by Erwin Knoll, journalist andeditor, “Everything you read in newspapersis absolutely true, except for that rare storyof which you happen to have first-handknowledge.”
I, as well as many others, did havefirst-hand knowledge of those quirkyhighway billboard poems. We sat inbackseats of rumbling autos on familyvacations without the confinement ofseatbelts or the technology to watchmovies and play video games. Wedepended on those signs dotting thelandscape to entertain us and they did! ButI must give credit where credit isdue…Burma Shave it was always you.
Much chagrined,Patty Heath
Letter to Our Readers...Oops
NEW BEGINNINGS
9IBI October 2011
SHORTS
“LET ME COUNT THE WAYS”
CH
AR
ITY
ON
TH
E L
AN
ES
A poet once said that love can be shown in many ways. Charity, a formof love for community, goals and people, has no bounds and the bowlingcenters in our business community actualize that benevolence.
Each month it seems that new, inventive ways are found by centersto capture the hearts of their communities and help each other.
The 17th Annual Nassau County “Bowling for Wishes” event was heldat Massapequa Bowl in Massapequa, NY, August 12. Hosted by Marty Lyonsand Kenny Schroy, both former New York Jets stars, and assisted by leadvolunteer John Gordon, the Marty Lyons Foundation grants wishes tochildren with terminal or life threatening illnesses. According to Lyons thefoundation has granted close to 6,000 wishes since its inception in 1982.
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), SoutheastChapter, sponsored the 5th Annual “Get Out of the Gutter…for a GoodCause” charity bowling competition and social event held at 300 Atlantain Dunwoody, GA. The goal was to help families in the exhibitionindustry who have suffered severe tragedies or are facing insurmountablemedical 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 BuccaneerMike Alstott, held an end of summer bowling party for 40 athletes fromSpecial Olympics Florida at Seminole Lanes, Seminole, FL. The missionof Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training andcompetition for people with intellectual disabilities.
100 Sheriff’s deputies descended on Royal Z Bowling Lanes in NERichland, SC, to aid in Cops 4 Foster Kids Charity Bowling Tournament.More than $100,000 has been raised toward the effort during the lastsix years according to Bertram Rantin at The State.com.
Town and Country Lanes in Joliet, IL, held a candlelight bowlfundraiser to raise money for “Operation Welcome You Home,” anonprofit organization to ensure troops are honored and supported whenthey come home from deployment. It serves all branches of the armedforces, veterans and their families.
On a more personal note, Saratoga Lanes in Maplewood, MO, wasthe venue for a bowling benefit supporting Mike Duerr who is battling
lymphoma. Money raised from thebenefit will be used to help pay forDuerr’s mounting medical bills.
While across the country in Yelm,WA, Prairie Lanes held a “Bowl forMel” fundraiser with all proceeds fromthe event going to Melodea Musser’smedical and living expenses. Melodeasuffered a brain hemorrhage which hasleft her facing a long road to recovery.
September is back to school andwhat better activity than a “Bowlingfor Backpacks” which was held atWinchester Bowl! Memphis GrizzliesHead Coach Lionel Hollins initiatedthe program to benefit under-privileged children in the Memphiscommunity.
The Seaford Middle School inMelville, NY, saw its winter and springathletic seasons slashed from thebudget. Where there’s a will, there’s away and the Save Seaford Sports, anorganization aimed to raise $141,000 toreinstate the programs, held a bowlingfundraiser at 300 Long Island.
At IBI, we are continually touched byall the centers that open their doors toefforts helping people who findthemselves in need and toorganizations that strive to help others.The bowling industry is a community ofwhich to be proud. Send your eventsand benefits and let us tout you. [email protected].
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 theworld 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 bowlingin the United States Olympic Committee. In 1985, he led another successful effort to have the sport awarded medalstatus 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 wifePeggy and the family c/o William Tessman, 1135 Mockingbird Lane, Plymouth, WI 53073.
A Career in Bowling Leadership
Perry LanesJohnstown, New York (32 Lanes)
Bowling’s Only Full-Service Brokers,Appraisers & Financial Advisors
28200 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076
(800) 222 • 9131
We congratulate Asish Pateland Neil Patel on their purchase
of this fine center and thank themfor working with Marcel Fournier
to complete the transaction.We wish Asish and Neil all the
best in the future.
10 IBI October 2011
SHORTS
Royal Lanes of Oglesby, IL was started by Rudy Stubler, along with Willis and AnnMortenson 50 years ago. Sons Bob and Jim expanded the family business andopened Super Bowl in Peru, IL. The familyhas come a long way from the 8-lane centerin Oglesby. “The only thing that’s the sameis the lane is still 60 feet long and there’re 10pins standing,” Jim said. But he also waxed,“The smile you see on a kid’s face the firsttime he hooks a ball …it’s unforgettable.”
A sister center to the north, Skyway Lanes of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada celebrated54 years. Friends Emil Nalborczyk, Stan Dumala and Emil Labanowich beganconstruction on a site of a small tool rental house, and it opened as a 24-lane houseon September 21, 1957.
Totem Bowl of Marshalltown, IA,turned 50 in August. As Tammy R.Lawson, staff writer of theTimesRepublican.com wrote, “It stillremains as one of those places wherepeople can roll their way to a goodtime.” Special Olympics and the KidsBowl Free Program are just a few of theevents that keep Totem relevant andinvolved and growing bowlers.
Rounding out the 219 years, Jack Tatehas owned and operated bowlingcenters for 65 years. Oakwood Bowl inEnid, Oklahoma is celebrating thatachievement along with Jack’s 90thbirthday. He came to Enid in 1946 tooperate Enid Recreation Center and fromthere he owned and operated The Trailsand the Shamrock and Oakwood Bowl.
Children’s programs have always beenthe driving force for Tate. He created theTurnaround Achievers, an awardsceremony for students who have becomebetter students which came from aconversation with a Florida bowlingproprietor he met at a national convention.“I just thought it was a great idea,” he said.
His proudest professional momentwas opening The Trails bowling center in1957. It was the first automated bowlingcenter in this part of the country, Tate said.
[Thanks go to Phyllis Zorn, staff writerfor the Enid News and Eagle.]
219Birthday Candles!The month of Augustand September saw
celebrations combining219 years of bowling.
The pins represent the family’s history forBrothers Jim (from left) and Bob Stubler,
along with Bob’s son Nate, 12.Photo Credit: Matthew Baker, NewsTribune
THE PATELS ACQUIRE PERRY LANESPerry Lanes, a 32-lane center in Johnstown,
New York, has been purchased by Ashish Pateland Neil Patel. The seller was Ciena Capital LLCand Marcel Fournier of Sandy Hansell andAssociates, Inc. served as the broker.
The Patels own and operate three othercenters in upstate New York: Holidays Lanes,Oneonta; Bowl-O-Drome, Ithaca; and EllenvilleLanes, Ellenville.
After 65 years in bowling,Jack Tate relaxes in his
favorite recliner. BonnieG.Vculek, Staff Photographer,
Enid News and Eagle
12 IBI October 2011
SHORTS
Bowling took center stage on Yahoo’shomepage this past month with an articleby Donn Fresard, Matthew Mallon andJustin Rohrlick of Minyanville Media,Inc. titled “10 American Industries StillHanging On.” We thought it was worthrepeating as bowling balls topped the list.
“Bloodied, battered, but not yet downfor the count, there are still pockets ofUS manufacturing scrappy enough tokeep the lights on in the face of overseascompetition.”
Bowling balls; sparklers; compactdiscs; pianos; socks;
ironing boards; pencils;sneakers; electricalrelays; and, believe it
or not, chopsticks!
YAHOO PUTS THE SPOT-
LIGHT ON BOWLING
WATCHMedia
UPDATE: Hurricane IreneWeather has not been just a polite topic of conversation this year.
With the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the tornadoes andflooding in the Mid-West and now Hurricane Irene, weather isanything 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 subsequentflooding have left most centers on the Eastern seaboard with onlyminor damages. However, at the closing of this issue, there was still
concern for Middleburgh Lanes in Middleburgh, NY, whichis 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 tothe best of their knowledge power outages and minordamage were the worst effects. Baum was not sure aboutthe outer banks in North Carolina and there was someconcern there.
GMBCOA (Greater Michigan Bowling Center OwnersAssociation) announced the installation of Pete Tomassoni asits new president.
A third generation Michigan proprietor, Tomassoni runsRecreation 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 Associatedegrees in insurance and real estate along with Brunswick
Management School and seminarscovering bowling and pro shops. He isalso a certified bowling coach with YABALevel II, Ritger Level II and USBC Silver.
The experience and dedication tobowling on a personal as well as abusiness level will be an asset to theMichigan organization.
PEOPLEWATCHING
Pete Tomassoni
13IBI October 2011
SHORTS
August 11 was the date; Lucky StrikeLanes L.A. Live was the place; and JamesLoney, Dodger first baseman was thehost. This was Loney’s fourth consecutiveseason hosting the Annual State FarmDodgers Dream Foundation BowlingExtravaganza.
David Brennan, Dream Foundationfundraising manager, said the event, whichfeatured players, coaches and celebritybowlers, raised the most it has in its sevenyears of existence. The proceeds go to theDodgers 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 and2010 for his commitment to the Los Angeles community. In 2008, he launched hiscommunity initiative “Loney’s Lounge,” in which 40 kids from Reviving Baseball inInner 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 prizesand, for the players, bragging rights. The ultimate prize was the “Vin ScullyExperience.” The winner received four tickets to visit Scully, the legendary Dodgersannouncer, in the broadcast booth before the game.
Host James Loney with young fan.Host James Loney enters Lucky Strike at L.A. Live
Manager Don Mattingly and his wife with actor JamesDenton of Desperate Housewives (right).
Dodgers Dream Foundation Hits a Home Run
The BPAA and USBC have merged two of their signatureevents to create a national youth singles championships in 2012.The North Pointe Junior Gold Championships presentedby Brunswick will take place July 14-20 in Indianapoliswith a minimum scholarship fund of $250,000. Itcombines BPAA’s North Pointe Insurance High SchoolSingles Championship tournament and USBC’s JuniorGold Championships.
The new tournament will have no averagerequirements and be open to all youth bowlers who jointhe Junior Gold program. It will determine players for Junior TeamUSA for the following year.
“This will be the major tournament for all youth bowlers,” saidInternational Bowling Campus Director of Youth Chad Murphy.
“We’re merging two of our biggest assets in the youthmarket. 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 JuniorGold event an even bigger event,” commented USBCExecutive Director Stu Upson. “Combining the twoevents created an attractive youth bowling experience.”
Details on the tournament’s format, method toqualify for Junior Team USA and scholarship prize distributionwill be announced in December.
BPAA, USBC COMBINE EVENTS TO CREATE NATIONAL YOUTH SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
14 IBI October 2011
MARKETING
‘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 FamilyCenters, headquartered in Brooklyn, NY and atBowl America, whose home office is inSpringfield, VA. Both companies offer acompletely mobile bowling lane program, butthey are very different from each other in theiraudience. John LaSpina, president of Maple,
which encompassesfive centers (MapleLanes, Brooklyn; JibLanes, Flushing; RVCLanes, Rockville Centre;Farmingdale Lanes,Farmingdale; CoramCountry Lanes, Coram)envisioned a completeregulation lane that hecould provide to“anyone within a
few miles of our centers, which span a 65-mile line”. He saw it put into action 30years ago when, as a member of theNew York City BPA he rented a laneand placed it on Bowling Green, apublic park in Manhattan. While LaSpinawas enthusiastic about continuing sucha program, the associations that wouldhave spearheaded it, New York City BPA,Nassau BPA and Suffolk BPA are “longgone.” So any promoting has to be done by
individual proprietors.Maple Family Centers
invested under $20,000to build a portableregulation lane for its“Lane To Go”program, completewith approach andpin deck as well asbumpers, mirroringits own centers.LaSpina credits hishead mechanic,Barry Bloomfield, withdesigning the lane tofit in a gardener’s trailer.He further gives a shout-outto Brunswick, “as the time andenergy spent on one lane wasintensive.”
A school and several chambers of commercehave stepped up to reserve the lane for a five-
hour session costing them $2,000 - $2,500per outing. The lower price reflects a
10% discount for Maple FamilyCenters’ league bowlers who rentthe lane. It takes an hour to set upthe lane and four people to run it.
1. Maple Lanes’ portable lane all packed up and ready for a day on theroad. 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.
1
3
2
By Joan B. Taylor
I“
John LaSpina
Bowling To Go.”✰ ✰ ✰
Bowl America has 19centers with ten locatedin the Washington, DCmetropolitan area andothers in and aroundBaltimore, Richmond,Orlando and Jacksonville.While the concept of bringinga lane to people outside thecenter is the same as Maple’s, theBowl America Program, “RollingBowling,” is strictly a free in-school program withweek-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 regulationapproach and full-size pinsetting machine. The pins and bowlingballs are also legal size. While the trailer is not available for eventsor private parties, if an event takes place during the week at aschool where the lane is, Bowl America works with the school to
15IBI October 2011
By “taking it to the streets,” Maple is able to promotethe game and its centers by gathering data base informationand the distribution of cards, free game coupons, party andcatering information, and notices about leagues. On site,there may also be raffles, a prize wheel to spin, and solicitingfor the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL).
The only down side has been the weather. The lane isnot under any kind of tent or canopy, so Mother Nature cancancel a session. Other than that, ten groups employed thelane between its startup in June and early August, indicatingearly success.
What kind of return on investment is LaSpina looking for?“How do you place a value on continuously making friendsand business contacts? We are out there promoting, so Ithink it is paid for already. When things quiet down in thesummer, we don’t lay off any of our full timers. This (portablelane) gives us a way to keep everyone on track, focused tothe core element of our business, which is to perpetuateit. We could have chosen to open (our centers) later andclose down during the hottest days or instead to put ouremployees to work showing off our centers through
Maple Lanes' portablelane being set up for a
day of fun.
MARKETING
16 IBI October 2011
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 aportable lane from the BPAA to visit fairs and other gatherings. Thisevolved into an in-school program. They have since purchased asecond trailer and currently send the two units to schools throughoutNorthern Virginia.
A localcartage companytakes the trailer to the school grounds (which haveto be accessible and flat). They pop it openand leave the trailer for a full week, ready to go.Two coaches come in and give generalinstructions to the classes, followed by individualon-lane bowling. Because this is integratedwith physical education classes, the programruns all day every day. “At the end of the week,Bowl America provides certificates to the school forthe participants in addition to a coupon for a freegame of bowling at one of our centers,” Dittmer said.At each location, anywhere from five to seven hundredyoungsters learn the basics of bowling and see firsthand that it’sa 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 anissue with the exception of a heavy downpour. The program runsduring two semesters of a school year: mid-September through the endof November; and March through the end of June. On August 1 of each
year, the program opens up for scheduling. About 400schools, grades K-6, are in the area served by BowlAmerica. Because of the limited schedule andincreasing demand, requests come in nearly threeyears in advance. Maybe, too, because it is free “we
can’t keep up with the demand,” Dittmersaid. “We don’t have to promote the
program. It’s by word-of-mouth.”As with the Maple Family
Centers program, BowlAmerica gains new andsometimes returningbowlers to its centers as aby-product of thesuccessful 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 bowlingwriter based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
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
21
18 IBI October 2011
COVER STORY
19IBI October 2011
COVER STORY
hen you get right down to it, the experience oftaking in a movie and the experience of gettingtogether for a round or two of bowling with agroup of friends aren’t that dissimilar. Not if,
like entrepreneur Paul Glantz, you view the common denominatorbetween both activities as being a great and entertaining dayor night out. “It’s about the experience of having fun visiting withpeople, not texting, being face to face and laughing and having
WEvan Henerson
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 cancertainly speak to what the movie-showing business is allabout. In May 2011, Glantz entered the world of bowlingproprietorship, opening his combination 16-lane boutiquebowling center Star Lanes and 10-screen EmagineCinemas in Royal Oak, a suburb just outside of Detroit.The $20 million center - two and a half years from conceptto opening - is located at the site of a grocery store thathad once been tabbed for a condominium complex.Now it’s a one-stop entertainment center with movies andbowling as well as food, alcoholic beverages, pool andshuffleboard. “So far we’re very pleased at the results,” Glantz reported a coupleof weeks after Emagine Royal Oak opened in mid May. “This is our first forayinto bowling. Every building we’ve ever opened, the business has ramped upover time. I expect this will be no different.”
His optimism notwithstanding, a venture with the size and scope of the71,000 square foot Emagine Royal Oak was a risky one in a recession-crunchedeconomy that has hit the state of Michigan with particular vigor. Due partiallyto the restructuring of the auto industry, the state has not experienced economicgrowth since 2005. Emagine certainly did its part to help, increasing the numberof construction jobs to create the center and then adding some 100 jobs onceit opened. “It really has been a mini economic development boom for downtownRoyal Oak, and I’m thrilled with that,” says Glantz. “Because we are believersin the theory of abundance, that 1 plus 1 can equal 3. There are lots of bars andrestaurants downtown in close proximity to our venue. I’m thrilled sometimespeople dine outside and come to our movies while maybe another time, they’llcome to a different restaurant and go bowling.”
Glantz chose his location with care. Royal Oak, a suburban hub of 150,000, hasno shortage of restaurants, bars and gathering spots. A few miles to the south inDetroit, 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 onereason 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
no longer be a problem, the CEO laughs andsays that improving his own personalaccessibility to the sport was never aconsideration. “You know, I am not going topush patrons out of the way for me to bowl.I promise you that,” he says. “I have paid a lotof food tabs, but I only bowled once there sofar, and it took me awhile before I got a strike.”
At Emagine, you can get high qualityfood, drinks, your choice of entertainment oreven rent out the High Roller facility for teambuilding or other corporate events. If a guestis looking to take in a movie, dine and thenbowl – or scramble the order – he or shecould easily spend three or four hoursEmagine-ing. That’s precisely what Glantzwants. Although he jokes that he would justas happily have been talked out of enteringthe world of boutique bowling, Glantz wasmore than pleased to find that feasibilitystudies and forecasts indicated that thebowling/movie hybrid could be a success.And, yes, even after only a couple of months
20 IBI October 2011
One of Emagine's stadium theaters.
Emagine's Star Lanes are all dolled up and ready for action.
In researching this story, we spoke to Mark Marchido, VP of Sales forUS Bowling Corp, who had many interesting things to say about theownership, management, and facility of Emagine. Paul Glantz is a verysuccessful movie theater operator who wanted to expand into the bowlingmarket. He took inspiration from Lucky Strike in Novi, MI, which is nearone of his theater locations. When the time came to build his next theater,Glantz wanted to incorporate bowling into the concept, and he called uponUS Bowling. “During the process, one of the things I was most impressedwith was that Paul charged his three managers, Chris Brandt, Gary Butske,Jr., and George Yarbenet, with learning everything they could about thebowling business and operations,” remarked Marchido. The threemanagers attended Bowl Expo and other industry events including theFoundations Entertainment University, and were instrumental in helpingGlantz make informed business decisions.
The US Bowling Corp team enjoyed working with the Emagine teamand needed to work collaboratively to think of novel ways to deal withunexpected issues. For instance, US Bowling Corp saw first hand how theclient got creative with challenging space issues regarding house ballstorage (see story). Additionally, Marchido said, “The private party suiteis 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 secondlevel of the facility.
“Emagine” all of the possibilities that can be done at your center witha little help from bowling manufacturers, suppliers and your creativity.
EMAGINE-ATIVE VIEWPOINT
22 IBI October 2011
running Emagine Royal Oak under his belt,Glantz says he can envision future Emgainecinemas duplicating Royal Oak’s bowling/moviehybrid model. “I looked at buying an alley in arural area of Michigan about 20 years ago. I’vebeen bowling since I was 7, and I’m 54 now, so,yeah, it’s probably revenge of the nerds here,”Glantz says. “Of course, here’s a guy whosebest game was probably 230. I never becameexemplary at the game.”
His business acumen, on the other hand, isunquestioned. The theater comes equippedwith luxury seating and reserved DBOX seatingin high backed leather chairs. The facility is set upsuch that guests can order a meal or a drinkfrom anywhere and have it delivered to them. Forthe introduction of bowling, Glantz conductedmarket research and came up with someluxurious, experience-enhancing touches such asgiving every patron a pair of complimentary
socks with their shoe rentals. “Of course they’remonogrammed with our name on them. Perhaps ourguests will wear them again,” says Glantz with a laugh.“There are several things we sought to do to enhance thequality of the experience.” “I was doing some personalshopping to evaluate this industry,” he continues. “AndI found that many centers, both traditional and boutique,when it came time for you to bowl, you often found thepreceding bowlers’ balls on your ball return. In my field,that’s inappropriate. My guests aren’t porters. Part ofenhancing the experience is being more courteous tothose we serve.”
The bowling/movies synergy allows Emagine toimplement promotions like a weekday Watch-N-Rolldeal where one ticket gets you the first matinee followedby a round of bowling. Summer themed days target the
college crowd, seniors and ladies. Star Lanes has a dress code: no athletic wear,plain white T-shirts or construction boots permitted, and after 9 p.m., bowling isfor customers ages 21 and over only.
Emagine employs a full time professional chef and offers professional clientsand large private parties the opportunity to rent out the High Roller Room –allowing up to 50 people spread out over 4 private lanes on the mezzanine level– or the Skybox Lounge for a banquet for up to 250 people. The restaurant servescasual dining fare: burgers, wood fried pizza salads and appetizers. “That’s notto say we can’t pull out the white linen for a special event,” Glantz says.
COVER STORY
The billiards and bar area is a fun place to meet after a movie or before bowling.
Emagine installed solar panels to keep costsdown and the lights on.
24 IBI October 2011
His lifelong fondness for bowling notwithstanding, Glantzsays the original aim for the Royal Oak property at ElevenMile Road was a straight ahead movie theater plan. Sincehe could only acquire the land in its entirety and would begranted a limited number of parking spaces for a movietheater only, Glantz began considering a secondcomplimentary use that would not require an excessiveamount of extra parking. Hatching the idea of adding anupscale boutique bowling center, Glantz set about doingresearch, using Jerry Merola CFO and partner of NewJersey-based Amusement EntertainmentManagement LLCas his consultant/professional devil’s advocate. “I told JerryI would pay him more to dissuade me from the idea than toreinforce my perception that it would work,” says Glantz witha laugh. “His conclusion was that there would be enormoussynergies in these forms of entertainment. Lo and behold,we have this lovely combination venture.” Of course, he’sskipping a few steps. The entitlement process alone took 18
months with an extra nine months of construction. Emagine took partin nearly 10 public hearings including several that related to thevenue’s controversial proposal to obtain a liquor license that wouldallow alcohol to be served in both the theater and Star Lanes.
The movie/bowling combo, while rare, is not unprecedented. IPicchain in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been operating a high endmovie theater/bowling center/nightclub at Bayshore Town Centersince the fall of 2007. Glantz, who claims that apart from Facebookand Google “there is no such thing as an original idea,” has nevervisited IPic. But Merola has. “Both centers are extremely well donewith fine décor and excellent food service,” says Merola. “Thedifference from where I sit is that Emagine is tied to a downtownlocation within walking distance, with most consumers parking inthe main downtown hub.”
Both Merola and Glantz expect the entertainment hybrid togain in popularity. It’s not as if the two are alien species. In fact, oneof Glantz’s 18 screen theaters, in Novi, MI shares a shopping centerwith 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. StarLanes was Glantz’s local lane in Southfield Michigan. As a boy, Glantzand his father would fill up a $10 Royalty Card and spend theafternoon bowling up to 10 games at 25 cents a line. “When I startedlooking for a name (for the Royal Oak facility), Star Lanes wasavailable and I grabbed it,” says Glantz. “We’ve enhanced it withthe tagline, “At Star Lanes, you’re the star.” ❖
COVER STORY
Evan Henerson is a features and lifestyle journalist who lives in LosAngeles. His work has appeared in TV Guide, American Theatre,Orange Coast and the Los Angeles Daily News where he was a staffwriter and critic for nine years.
The grand entry into the Emagine and Star Lanes complex.
The chic private party suite overlooks the grand entry.
A peek into Emagine's upscale kitchen.
26 IBI October 2011
FEATURES
or the last ten years, Colorado couple Dani Grant and MatthewHoeven’s lives have been a labor of love after purchasing two run-down bowling centers in Fort Collins, Hoeven’s hometown. The
young couple had grown tired of dragging their baby daughter from cityto city while selling their furniture line to prospectivebusinesses. They were ready to put down roots andbeautiful Fort Collins, an hour north of Denver, was theperfect place to do it.
“We wanted to find a business that we could getinvolved with where we could do three things,” saidGrant, co-owner with Hoeven of Chipper’s Lanes and
F
Under the Stars inFort Collins, Colorado
Proprietors Dani Grant and Matthew Hoeven blend family and music attheir four centers & outdoor music venue
By Robin Breuner
The Mishawaka is nestled inthe Rocky Mountains.
Dani Grant and Matthew HoevenPhotos Courtesy of Kit Chalberg
27IBI October 2011
Mishawaka. “One was to involve our family. Anotherwas to open it up to our community in that we couldinvite all walks of life to come into our place includingnon-profits and special needs people. Lastly, we justwanted to have fun, and we thought, ‘What could bebetter than bowling, beer, pizza and lots of laughter?’”
During their due diligence, a friend of Matt’sdeceased brother, Chip Hoeven, informed them thatthe owners of the local Horseshoe Lanes might beinterested in selling. According to Grant, they met withthe owners and the stars aligned. Very quickly, thatcenter along with a second one, were theirs. Theynamed them “Chipper’s” after Matt’s brother.
“Matt and I are both entrepreneurs, so it was reallyabout learning the model and learning how tounderstand the operation of a bowling center and thenimplementing some entrepreneurial ideas that wethought could take it from your granddaddy’s bowlingalley to the family fun center that we envisioned forit,” said Grant.
Once the two Fort Collinscenters, Horseshoe Lanes andNorth College, were runningsmoothly, they moved to acquiretwo more centers, one inBroomfield located betweenDenver and Boulder, and one inEstes Park, a resort town at thefoothills of Rocky MountainNational Park. What keepsthings interesting is that each ofthe bowling centers serves a
unique demographic. “The Broomfield center is really in a metropolitanarea, a suburb of Denver, so there are all kinds of different bowlingcenters 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 Broomfieldcenter in particular. After purchasing the center, they discovered thatit had much more deferred maintenance than they had anticipated. Theywent through four different mechanics in just a few years trying to correctthe situation. “We had a horrendous couple of years of tough leaguebowling experience where we were having to move folks frequently. Wewere having a lot of ball damage,” said Hoeven. “We were doing ourdamndest to try to get it fixed. I felt like I had lost some credibility inthe eyes of some of the senior bowlers because things just didn’t getfixed quickly enough for them. That has been fixed today. We finallyfound a mechanic who’s been wonderful.”
Estes Park is a small resort town where there are many different familyentertainment options. The goal at the Estes center is to strike abalance between the winter clientele and the highly active summer resort
FEATURES
The outdoor deck at the Chipper's in Estes Park gives the location it's unique flavor.
Chipper's North College locationin Fort Collins.
28 IBI October 2011
crowd. Estes is only an eight-lane center versus Broomfield andNorth College that have 24 lanes and Horseshoe that has 36.
Fort Collins, a city of 144,000 people, is not only their homebase but also the heart of the couple’s business and communityinvolvement. According to Hoeven, it’s been a little bit easierin Fort Collins versus the other towns to balance the recreationalbowlers versus the serious bowlers since they have two centers,each with its own flavor. The Horseshoe center is much more
of a league house for competitivebowlers. That’s where they host theirtournaments. The North College centeris closer to Colorado State Universityand is their fun house where theypromote live music and other programstargeted toward the recreational bowlers.
One of their programs stretches farbeyond any kind of bowling. In thesummer, sand volleyball leagues in theparking lot compete with andcomplement the bowling inside. Theyhost a popular Summer Concert Series on
the sand courts. “We have a lot of breweries in Fort Collins that do craft
brews. Many of them do bowling leagues and volleyballleagues in the summertime, and they like to compete againsteach other,” said Grant. “I love the recreational folks who aresweating while they’re bowling and who say, “I can’t believeI’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
The chipmunk theme carries over in theBroomfield location of Chipper's Lanes.
30 IBI October 2011
FEATURES
about family entertainment and these creative programs have been greatfor their summertime activity. Hoeven thinks that there’s room for boththe serious and the whimsy within the same center. He said that theyreserve Monday through Friday for league bowlers, but later in theevening is mostly geared toward the rec bowlers. “We’re big fans of theRock & Bowl model, and I’m a huge music fan. I’ve been strivingthroughout my career to figure out how to involve music somehow. Itmakes me happy,” said Grant. “When we saw the draw of the collegekids at North College, we thought, ‘Let’s add some live music to thisand see what happens.’”
Grant said that they started with plywood out on a lane as a makeshiftfirst stage. From there, they engineered a suspended stage over the topof the lanes so that the kids could actually bowl right underneath theband while they’re playing.
“You can’t see the pins that you’re shooting at unless you move backand forth depending on where the musicians are and where the drumset is,” said Hoeven.
“With the automatic scoring, it’s kindof a fun, different challenge – bowlingwhere you can’t quite see it! You’ve gotto get down on your knees and look tosee underneath the frame. It’s not foreveryone, but the musicians always havefun with it.”
Grant said that when she first startedbooking local bands she was worried thatit would be challenging to consistently findgood musicians, but she was immediatelyshocked by the incredible amount ofinterest. Everyone wanted the opportunity
to play on an emerging artist’s stage. Shespent a lot of time getting to know themusic community through the bookingsand was delighted to see how it wasbringing positive awareness to the localmusic scene.
“We’ve maintained our emergingartist’s stage at Chipper’s,” said Grant.“It’s a great place for bands to have theirfirst real run at a live gig in a low pressuresituation, and it’s a fun environment.”
In recent years, Grant’s interest inmusic has moved well beyond Chipper’s.In 2010, she started a non-profit calledSpokesBUZZ that is dedicated topromoting the city of Fort Collins through
live music. “I tried to create an opportunity to drivesome economics to the city of Fort Collins throughpublicizing our incredible arts and culture communitythrough live music,” said Grant.
It was through SpokesBUZZ that another amazingmusical opportunity presented itself in the form ofMishawaka or as it’s more affectionately known, ‘theMish’. Mishawaka is a historical venue located thirtyminutes outside of Fort Collins in the town of Bellevue.According to Grant, in 1916, a local man namedWalter S. Thompson was riding his motorcycle upthe Poudre Canyon and stopped on the Mishawakaproperty. He reported to have heard music playing anddecided right then to homestead the property. His wifeand he, both musicians, agreed that for the nextthree years he would live on the property and builda dance hall, the foundation of which still exists today.
Patrons enjoying the evening at the Horsetooth location.
A bowler goes for a strike while a bandplays a set at the North College location.
31IBI October 2011
FEATURES
Robin Breuner is a freelance writer and a frequentcontributor to IBI. She lives in Marin County, California.
Over the years, different owners contributed additional featuressuch as an outdoor stage and an amphitheatre.
For many years, the Mishawaka drew national musical acts,
but in recent years, the site has fallen victim to neglect. Lastyear, Grant and Hoeven bought it and through an incredibleamount of sweat equity, are restoring its former reputation asan amazing venue for both local and national talent. Recentbands 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 firstcouple of weeks, we removed 120 cubic yards of trash from thegrounds,” said Grant. “This community has so many ties to theMishawaka. Everyone has a story about when they were akids at the Mish or when they were a child and watched squaredancing or attended a wedding there. It’s a beautiful thing tokeep alive. There is no other venue like this that resides on thebanks of a raging river,” she said.
Hoeven said that from the beginning, their goal with thebowling centers was always to focus on the community as awhole. Mishawaka fits perfectly into that profile. He said thatwhat they’re trying to recreate with Mishawaka is to take it backto its roots as a community center. “Back in the 1920’s, peoplewould come there for square dancing, for getting together forholidays, and those kinds of things,” said Hoeven. “Mishawakaalong with our bowling centers is really about the communityas a whole. We are very interested in providing something foreveryone and do our darndest to create programs that willprovide fun and entertainment to the entire community.” ❖
A night time concert at The Mishawaka.
Chipper's Lanes mascots dance their way down a Colorado StateUniversity spirit parade.
32 IBI October 2011
OFF THE CLOCK
onnie Mitchell, owner of Kingpin Enterprise Pinsetter Serviceand Repair, is leading a double life. During the work week heis a professional in the bowling industry, traveling from destination
to destination running his service and consulting business. Mitchell hasalso been working with Twelve Strike as a sales rep for the past seven yearscovering Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana andMississippi. But when a Renaissance Fair comes to town, Mitchell donsanother persona. He is a lost, retired pirate confused and wandering aroundtrying to find his ship. “It started about 13 years ago at Scarborough Fair inWaxahachie, Texas,” Mitchell said. “We’re more ‘playtrons’ because wedon’t get paid for what we do. We get dressed up in full garb, and weentertain. We have our own little skits, so we mingle with the crowds and weentertain some of the regular guests. It’s fulfilling because it’s our escape fromthe normal reality.”
The key is to create a character when dressing in full costume (or garb) forRenaissance festivals. “When I’m a pirate, I’m an old retired pirate that’s losthis ship,” he said. “My pirate doesn’t really have a name. He’s kinda gotAlzheimer’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 hisship and he’s trying to find his ship. He’s just wandering about.”
Mitchell recalled one memorable experience when he approached a littleboy on his father’s shoulders. “He was about 2 or 3 years old and I went upto him and I asked, ‘Arrggg matey! Where’s my ship? You stole my ship didn’tyou!’ and the little boy said, ‘No I didn’t.’ So I said, ‘Where’s my ship?’ andthe little boy said, ‘Did you look in the water?’ and I shook my finger at himand said, ‘Arrggg! You’re right! I didn’t look in the water.’ It was so sweet…Iturned to my wife and said, ‘that kid is going places.’”
Although Mitchell will dress in typical pirate attire with an open shirt withlaces and a scarf cap, he tries not to look like the stereotype. “I try to be myown character,” he said. “Instead of a parrot or a monkey on my shoulder, Iwill 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 alion, the king of the beasts, and an eagle, the king of the birds,” he said. “Sosince he’s the king of both the air and the land, then he’s the protector of all
L
mankind.” Mitchell explained the creature’shead moves around and looks at people as theywalk by. “It’s not battery operated, it’s actuallyoperated through a cable through the creature’stail,” he said. “The tail you stick down your backinside the garb and the cable comes out thesleeve of your shirt into your hand so you canactually control it in your hand while you’rewalking down the midway and the head movesand looks around. Nobody sees any control toit, they just see this creature looking at themwhen they walk by.”
Mitchell’s pirate identity isn’t limited toRenaissance festivals. “We also occasionally getinvited to go out to participate with somechildren’s daycare centers which is really quitefun,” he said. Other times, depending on thefestival, he will dress as a Scotsman. “AsScotsmen, we actually protect, who we call theQueen of Scotland, Queen Margaret, and weare part of the Scottish guard,” Mitchell said.“We protect the queen, and we march in theparade that they have each day at noon. Wehave some Scots that have the bagpipes, thedrums, you know, full regimental march.”
Mitchell coordinates with other local
By Bree Gutierrez
34 IBI October 2011
OFF THE CLOCK
“Scotsmen” to make plans when attendingRenaissance festivals. “We’ll have a Scottish invasionat a local bar where we’ll dress up in our Scots outfitsand go raid a nightclub,” Mitchell said jokingly. “It’sgreat fun, it really is. There are quite a few Irish pubsthroughout the Dallas, Fort Worth area that we enjoyvisiting. Even the people that are not part of ourgroup, you [will see] dressed in full kilt at thesepubs.” His Scottish garb includes an authentic kilt anda Scotsman’s cap with a feather in it. “During theparade I’m carrying a halberd,” Mitchell said. “It’s atall hatchet…a man that beheads people wouldhave a halberd.” Mitchell said he also has a pirate’sgun that he will wear with his kilt and his pirate’s outfit.
Playing a pirate or a Scotsman at the Renaissancefestivals is an alternate reality that Mitchell says hereally enjoys. “We call that our reality and anythingoutside of the Renaissance festival is our insanity”. ❖
Bree Gutierrez, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degreein Journalism, is a freelance writer and preschoolteacher residing in Southern California with herhusband and son.
Mitchell marches in a parade (upper left). A proud Mitchell as a Scotsman (upper right). Mitchell's wifeNatalie (l) also partakes in Medieval fun (lower left). Mitchell with his grandson, Stephen(lower right).
SCORING SYSTEMSThe Twelve Strike Scoring system uses the latestversion of our Central Desk Pro and Point Of Sale(POS) which is now integrated into a singlecomputer running under the Microsoft Windows7 environment! Visit www.twelvestrike.com formore information. We provide 24/7/365 techni-cal support to all of our customers. Learn MoreAbout Scoring! Make product inquires or obtainpricing details by emailing us at [email protected] orcalling 562.984.6240.
NO SWEATWouldn't it be great if your hands didn’t sweatand you had a consistent grip all night long?Now you can. By applying Kegel’s ‘NoSweat...Get a Grip', the easy to use odor freespray, you will keep your hands moisture freethrough your entire set without having to dealwith the mess that powder based hand productsleave behind. You will no longer have to worryabout weak or broken hand dryers. For moreinformation visit www.kegel.net
FRANCHISEOPPORTUNITYGround Round Sports Grille is idealfor bowling centers with a knownbrand and a sports lounge atmospheresuited for this venue. The menufeatures known Ground Round itemsalong with a greater focus on appetizers, sandwiches, salads,kid’s meals and pizza. Adults can enjoy full liquor, beer & wineservice. Our franchise program offers ideal facility designs,training and operating systems to optimize your space andresults. For more information, visit www.groundround.com.
CUSTOM LANESWith Vector Plus UChoose nowbowlers can choose their ownthemed environments right at the lane and themes areapplied instantaneously so bowlers don’t have to wait.Choose from an array of creative new themes designed forevery age and skill level—from kids to adults and fromcasual to competitive bowlers. It corresponds to specificoccasions: parties, holidays, leagues, and open play Formore information, contact your Brunswick Representative,call 1-800-YES-BOWL or 1-231-725-4966 or visithttp://www.brunswickbowling.com/products/vector-plus/.
MULTI-USE CARDSBowling Rewards offers a revolutionin league and casual bowler market-ing. In addition to basic gift, gamesand rewards card processing, BowlingRewards helps proprietors build aconstantly growing customer database which centers ownand can access in real time. Bowling Rewards also offers inte-grated email and mobile text marketing services with fullservice designers and consultants! Call toll free at 1-800-978-1338 x1 or email [email protected] for more infor-mation. Visit www.bowlingrewards.com
TICKETS & MORE National Ticket Co. is one ofthe most respected names inwristband and ticket printing.Our expertise in the printingof stock, custom-printed, orbar coded redemption tickets is the reason our tickets arepreferred by more game manufacturers than any others. Weoffer gift cards and membership cards for cashless integra-tion. Wristbands of all types are available in stock or customprinted. Visit www.nationalticket.com for details!
TOP NOTCHFINANCEFirestone Financial has specialized in financing the needs offamily entertainment businesses like yours for almost half acentury. Take advantage of our manufactured sponsoredloans and acquire the latest coin-operated equipment forinterest rates as low as 0%. For more information please callus at 1-800-851-1001 ext. 41 or visit us at www. firestonefinancial.com/programs.
SMALL GOLF, BIG FUNMini Golf Inc. creates pre-fab minia-ture golf courses that can be utilizedindoors as well as outdoors and arethe perfect added amenity for anybowling center looking to add familyfun. These courses are easy to set-upand move. Besides having yourchoice of 9 or 18 holes, glow in thedark miniature golf is also available. For more information,visit www.minigolfinc.com or call 570-489-8623
35IBI October 2011
SHOWCASE
SCORING UPGRADENew Center Consulting announcesthe latest upgrade in the D&JMarketing's Evolution Scoring Lineup: 42" Commercial LCDs withBUILT IN DIGITAL SIGNAGE. These TVs not only come with a2-year ON-SITE warranty, but they have a programmabledigital signage package on-board the unit. So don't buy orsell any equipment until you have talked to Glenn Hartshornat New Center Consulting at (248)375-2751 and speakdirectly to the owner.
INNOVATIVE PLAY-GROUNDSSoft Play is the global leader ofcontained playground equipment andcontinues to pursue its mission toprovide safe forms of play. As part of PlayPower Inc., Soft Playleverages this strong backing and manufacturing expertise todevelop the most innovative products and safe designs.There can be no better choice than one with the extensiveexperience, service history and product design as Soft Play.For more information call 800-782-7529 or visitwww.softplay.com.
HOT POPCORNNothing says popcorn like the Ultra 60Special from Gold Medal® Products.Our most popular popper features theimproved Auto Shutoff for electricalpower savings, along with a new, lowerprice and an E-Z Kleen kettle. Temperedglass is scratch resistant and it has twin-arm kettle suspension for safety andcleaning. New thicker Plexiglas doors, aswell. To learn more or order yours, call 800-543-0862 or visitwww.gmpopcorn.com.
LEAGUE HELPLeague season is here and we have theright tool for your busy schedule andcenter needs, The League Hotline fromQubicaAMF. Now you can submitquestions about setting up leagues inthe BLS in Conqueror Pro—how to setup, restart or reset your leagues—and you will get a responsewithin 48 hours. The best part—it’s FREE! Simply email yourname, center name, contact number and a question [email protected].
37IBI October 2011
SHOWCASE
38 IBI October 2011
DATEBOOK
Muskegon, MIEmail: [email protected]
16-18Mid-South Proprietor Trade ShowGold Strike Hotel, Tunica MSDwayne Hippensteel501-860-6376
17-21Vector Scorer MaintenanceTrainingBrunswick Training CenterMuskegon, MIEmail: chools@ brunbowl.com800-937-2695
25-26Southwest Bowling ProprietorsIdea ShareSam’s Town, Shreveport, LAKaren [email protected]
OCTOBER2–4
West Coast Bowling CentersConventionSilver Legacy Hotel, Reno, NVSandi Thompson, [email protected]
4-5Kansas State BPA AnnualMeetingPittsburg, KSMary Thurber 913-638-1817
10-12East Coast Bowling CentersConventionTrump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJLee Ann Norton, [email protected]
10-14GS Series Pinsetter TrainingBrunswick Training Center
26Bowling Centers of Southern CAAnnual Meeting and Partner FairCal State Fullerton, Fullerton CAScott Frager, [email protected]
NOVEMBER9-10BCA of Ohio Seminars & MeetingEmbassy Suites, Columbus, OHPat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
6-11Bowling University SchoolFor Bowling Center ManagementInternational Bowling CampusArlington TXEmail: [email protected];800-343-1329www.BowlingUniversity.net14-15Illinois State BPA Fall AnnualMeetingHotel Arista-Citygate CentreNaperville, ILBill [email protected]
30-12/7QubicaAMF Bowling World CupNorthcliff Bowling CentreAnne-Marie [email protected]
JANUARY 201222-26BOWLING SUMMITThe Meritage, Napa valley CAwww.bpaa.com/summit
IBI Official magazine ofthe convention
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39IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDS
CENTERS FOR SALE
UPSTATE NEW YORK: 8-lane center/commercial building built in 1992.Synthetic lanes, new automatic scoring,kitchen and room to expand! Reduced tosell @ $375,000. Call (315) 376-3611.
EQUIPMENT WANTED
LANE MACHINES WANTED. We willpurchase your KEGEL-built machine, anyage or condition. Phone (608) 764-1464.
USED WOOD BOWLING LANE BEDS.WILL REMOVE! MIDWEST LOCATIONPREFERABLE. (74) 1914 [email protected].
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
FOR SALE: General Electric & National frontend motors with gear boxes for AMF 82-70pinsetters–$275 ea. Excellent condition!Call Brian (716) 715-3930 or Kevin (716)807-2194.
USED BRUNSWICK PARTS, A2 partsand assemblies. Large Inventory.www.usedpinsetterparts.com.
NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment.Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
Pinsetter Parts New from ALL majormanufacturers. HUGE IN STOCK inventory.USED Brunswick Scoring parts, AS90cameras, processors, lane cables,monitors, and PC boards. Order online @888SBIBOWL.com or (888) 724-2695.The Mechanics Choice!
FRAMEWORX SCORING: Sold by the laneor spare parts. 68 lanes Complete systemincluding 4 registers & back office. ContactBill Rossman @ Parkway Bowl (619) 448-4111 or [email protected].
AMF XL & BOSS scoring for small andlarge centers with LCD monitors. (712)253-8730 .
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details(248) 375-2751.
FOR SALE: (3) AMF-312 chairs; (8 sets) ballracks and hoods. Best Offer. Call AC or Franny@ (845) 794-5561.
FOR SALE: 40+ 82-70s . [email protected]
40 IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDSCENTERS FOR SALE CENTERS FOR SALE
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: 12-laneBrunswick A-2s, Vector Plus FrameworXscoring, kitchen, & pro shop. PRICED TOSELL. Call Bruce (715) 614-7779.
SOUTHERN INDIANA (close toIndianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick centerwith lounge, liquor license & movietheater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business.Owner retiring. Great investment! (765) 349-1312.
NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Islandregion. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmicbowling, auto scoring. Established leagues+ many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill@ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302.
GEORGIA: busy 32-lane center, realestate included. Great location in one offastest growing counties in metro Atlanta.5 years new with all the amenities.Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One ofthe top five places to move! Remodeled32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1mgets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828)253-0362.
16-lane center in Southern Coloradomountains. Great condition. 18,000s/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, autoscoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Greatfood 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 andinfo @ www.visitcolby.com or contactCharles (785) 443-3477.
SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained8-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 largeState employment facilities nearby. High sixfigure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089.www.majesticpine.com. WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
41IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDS
Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940
on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: [email protected]
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • FrameworxSERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS
2021 Bridge StreetJessup, PA 18434570-489-8623www.minigolfinc.com
MINIATURE GOLF COURSESIndoor/Outdoor. ImmediateInstallation. $5,900.00 & up.
"Bowling Center Construction Specialists"
�New Center Construction �Family Entertainment Centers�Residential Bowling Lanes�Modernization�Mini Bowling Lanes�Automatic Scoring
Toll Free: (866) 961-7633Office: (734) 469-4293
Email: [email protected]
CONTACT BRIAN ESTES
42 IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDSCENTERS FOR SALE
CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane center andrestaurant in central Idaho mountains.Small town. Only center within 60-mileradius. Brunswick A-2 machines;Anvilane lane beds; automatic scoring.(208) 879-4448.
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA: 12-LANEBrunswick center. REDUCED TO SELLNOW! Includes auto scoring, glow bowling,pizza, large dining area & video poker. Goodincome. Long Lease. Great opportunity. CallMike (318) 578-0772.
NW INDIANA (Lake Michigan/National LakeShore area): DRASTICALLY REDUCED—PRICED TO SELL! 32-lane center, familyowned & operated since 1997 on 6.6 acres.Also billiards, arcade, pro shop, full-servicerestaurant, established leagues & MORE!$2,300,000. (219) 921-4999.
EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-laneBrunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thruliquor store in small college town. Also, 3apartment buildings with 40 units, goodrental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or (701)430-1490.
CENTERS FOR SALE
MARSHALL ELECTRONICS• Electronic Scoring Repair• AMF Accuscore Plus• Curtain Wall Chassis - $285
• Foul Units• Chassis Boards• 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 • 800-782-9494www.merepair.webs.com
NE NEVADA: New 2001. 16 lanes, 19,200square feet, 1.68 acres paved, sound &lighting, lounge w/ gaming, arcade, fullservice snack bar & pro shop. Call (775)934-1539.
CENTRAL ALABAMA: Recently remodeled,split house w/24 synthetic lanes (16 & 8) in28,000 s/f building in shopping center;Brunswick A2s & 2000 seating; AccuScorePlus; VIA returns & storage tables; systemsfor Cosmic; established leagues; snack bar,pro shop & game/pool table area. Nearestcompetition 28 miles w/ colleges & Hondafactory within minutes. Need to sell due tohealth. Reasonably priced. (435) 705-0420.
ForFLORIDA CENTERS
CallDAVID DRISCOLL& ASSOCIATES
1-800-444-BOWLP.O. Box 189
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737AN AFFILIATE OF
SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
43IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDS
Orange County Security Consultants
•Keys & ComboLocks for allTypes ofLockers.
•One weekturnaroundon mostorders.
•New locks -All types
•Used locks1/2 priceof new
All keysdone bycode #.
No keysnecessary.
LOCKERKEYS FAST!
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEYINT’L 530-432-1027
E-mail: [email protected] YOUR ORDER TO US AT:
530-432-2933
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC boardrepair/exchange. 6-month warranty, fastturnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service
5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695)
Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon)E-mail: [email protected]
Visit us on the WEB!http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/
PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70S.S. & M.P. MACHINES
Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. BoardExchange & Repair!
A reasonable alternative forChassis and P.C. Board Exchanges
MIKE BARRETTCall for Price List
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576
44 IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDS
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
CENTERS FOR SALE
SOUTHERN NEVADA: Excellentopportunity for qualified person! 8-lanecenter with AMF 82-70s, Twelve Strikescoring. $60,000 for business and equipmentonly. Long term lease available. Buildingbeing remodeled. Call Steve (702) 293-6072;cell (702) 414-5321; email:[email protected].
CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!!8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full servicerestaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables,karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking$125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 [email protected].
IDAHO, Rigby: 8-lane center with BrunswickA-2 machines; refinished wooden lanes;$85,000 for all assets; seller lease backproperty. (208) 535-9905. www.arthurberry.com.
WEST TENNESSEE: Nice 24-lane [email protected]
45IBI October 2011
CLASSIFIEDS
Call(818) 789-2695
Fax(818) 789-2812
3EASYWAYS
to place your Classified Ad in
International Bowling Industry Magazine
BUY SELL
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENTCOMPLETE PACKAGES
WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY
Danny & Daryl TuckerDanny & Daryl TuckerTucker Bowling Equipment Co. Bowling Parts, Inc.609 N.E. 3rd St. P.O. Box 801Tulia, Texas 79088 Tulia, Texas 79088Call (806) 995-4018 Call (806) 995-3635Fax (806) 995-4767 Email - [email protected]
www.bowlingpartsandequipment.com
FOR LEASE
PRO SHOP: National Lake Shore area ofNW Indiana. Call (219) 921-4999.
SERVICES AVAILABLE
Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring BallRepair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 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 30board system and converting chassis to newPR system where applicable. TOTALSATISFACTION GUARANTEED! Referencesavailable. CHASSIS DOCTORS(330) 314-8951.
MANAGER WANTED
Don't miss your chance to grow withan Industry Leader! Looking forExperienced, Service-Oriented GeneralManagers for our U.S. bowling retailcenter locations. Please check us out atwww.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.comfor more details on our current openings.Act Now! Apply Today!
POSITION WANTED
Small Brunswick bowling center to managewith option to buy. Good credentials and lotsof experience running centers including newleague formation and outside salespromotion. Increase the bottom line! CallDan now. (319) 327-1916 or (515) 771-7606.
The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments
Ken Paton(503) 645-5630
We could not have gottenWe could not have gottenour loan without him.our loan without him.
Max Cook and Fred KaplowitzMax Cook and Fred KaplowitzNorth BowlNorth Bowl
Spokane, WASpokane, WA
WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM
ood beer, good times andbowling. In 1960, thesefun-loving couples had no
idea that their favorite beveragewould finally close its doors in1965 after 85 years of finebrewing. Jake Ruppert, the son ofBavarian immigrants, capitalizedon Washington Irving’s fictitious,17th century Dutch family, theKnickerbockers, to establishone of the major beers inAmerica, alongside GeorgeEhret’s Franziskaner.
Our gentleman in thecenter, a little smug possiblydue to a high score, seemsoblivious to what is to come.Yet the others might besaying, “Here’s to a goodrun!”
On the other hand, itmight be the sport and notthe beer that is inquestion. In 1960, therewere approximately 9,467certified centers in theU.S. and the ABC touted4,000,000 members.Could it be possiblethat our preppybowlers were raisingtheir glasses to toastthat… beers maycome and beers maygo, but bowling livesforever! Well, athought, if not afact. ❖
46 IBI October 2011
REMEMBER WHEN
G
1960
