SHORTS
Turnabout’s Fair Play Usually it’s a bowling center or bowling group or association helping out those in its community. However, on July 15 it was a Hiram, OH, company, Pirate Printing, who sponsored the fourth annual Poker Ride to benefit the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. This Poker Ride has four stops with riders pulling a card at each stop. When the bikers reach the end, they pull one more card. The best hand receives a prize and the worst hand receives a funny prize. If a rider wants to swap out a card, they can buy an additional card for $10. The ride began at Pirate Printing in Hiram and ended at The Cove Bar and Grill in Dallas, GA. Money raised from the ride will go toward sponsoring regional American Wheelchair Bowling Association events and tournaments. Last year Larry Jernigan, owner of Pirate Printing, said that 100 people participated in the ride raising $4,500.
OPENS IN KANSAS CITY Pincurean Entertainment Group owners Michael Ducat and Paul Barkley announced the formal opening of Z Strike Kansas City. The center was purchased in February and went through a complete rebranding to Z Strike, including a completely new menu, signage, marketing and new programs for kids, families and corporate parties. “We are excited to enter into the upscale, boutique bowling segment. We believe this will be the first of several Z Strike centers around the country,” Ducat noted. The center is located in the Power and Light Entertainment District in downtown KC and, according to Barkley, it will appeal to a broader demographic with corporate parties, families and nightlife and concert crowds. Pincurean Entertainment Group also owns centers in Florida and is currently reviewing opportunities for additional acquisitions. 10
IBI
August 2012
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS Pinstripes, a bowling/bocce and bistro entertainment and dining site, is expanding. Sears Holdings Corporation is leasing part of its parking lot at Oakbrook Center mall in Chicago to the venue which should open in the fall. Pinstripes not only offers bowling lanes and indoor-outdoor bocce courts but also offers banquet space for wedding receptions and parties. Currently it has locations in Northbrook and South Barrington. The deal marks the latest in Sears’ efforts to sublease portions of its properties to other retailers.
Ontario, Canada’s Bingemans, a dining, entertainment and convention facility, has announced a major expansion of its FunworX indoor playground building in Kitchener. According to TheRecord.com, Bingeman’s president Mark Bingeman said a Boston Pizza restaurant plus a Kingpin Bowlounge with 28 lanes will be included. The construction will start late this fall and will be completed next summer to coincide with the 75th anniversary year for Bingemans.
A Revolutions bowling complex will be added to the shops of CityPlace in Palm Beach, FL. Bruce Frank, the owner of Frank Entertainment Companies of Jupiter who has Revolutions Entertainment complexes from New York to Florida, has stated that the new CityPlace complex will provide the “missing component” in family entertainment for the area.
As of May, Spariens has opened its second location in Charleston, SC, which is called Sparians at River Bowl Charleston. The location was previously Twin River Lanes and Matty’s Sports Bar which experienced major renovations in early 2012 and renamed River Bowl & Bistro before coming under the Sparians umbrella. Chris Angel, Managing Partner, expressed the company’s excitement with this new venue. “The bowling boutique concept is geared towards fun loving adults, families and groups to provide a fun, interactive experience in a comfortable atmosphere that is different from the traditional alleys of the past.”
Lucky’s Entertainment, a 50,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment center, had its grand opening June 15th in Daytona Beach, FL. Included in the space are a full-service restaurant, three bars, a lounge and large outdoor deck along with 14 QubicaAMF bowling lanes Looking down the lanes at Lucky’s. with SPL Glow Track Lanes, DuraBowl Bumpers and BES (Bowler Entertainment System) and Conqueror Pro Management System. Six lanes will be available for private and group events. Co-owner Carmen Malhotra, a former attorney and restaurant owner from New York City, commented, “Whether you’re 50, 25 or 10, this will be a place you can go and have fun with the whole family. …This will be something nice and positive for the community.” Lucky’s Game Room features 50+ of the latest redemption, video and novelty games including Lazer Frenzy and Qubica-AMF’s Highway 66 mini bowling. There is something for all ages!