CONTENTS
VOL 27.6
8 SHORTS • 55th QubicaAMF World Cup returns to Indonesia • Lucky Strike gains a financial partner • Madeleine Smith joins ZOT • New business for Stan Kodish
48 FEATURE Food and Fun Rolled Into One At The Pennant’s iconic location, a new brand of entertainment comes to Topeka By Marci Williams 20
By Patty Heath
Have You Had Fun Today?
14 PROFILE
At Frankie’s of Charlotte, bowling is part of a larger family experience
People Buy from People Like Beth Standlee
By Evan Henerson
How the TrainerTainment CEO found her calling
62 CENTER STAGE
By Robert Sax
Elevated Entertainment
20 OFF THE CLOCK
At The Summit in Thornton, CO, fun is at its peak
Kilroy Treks 2,192 Miles Texas proprietor Dave Kellerman hikes the Appalachian Trail to raise money for BVL
54 FEATURE
By Paul Lane
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66 CENTER STAGE Woolworth’s Re-imagining the old five and dime in Birmingham, AL.
26 FEATURE
By Patty Heath
In the Spirit of Bowling Bowling is a part of two multi-purpose, faith-based community complexes
78 REMEMBER WHEN 1960s
By Mark Miller
Everybody Bowls, Continued
36 COVER STORY
By Patty Heath
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frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER David Garber garber@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
CONTRIBUTORS Patty Heath Evan Henerson Paul Lane Mark Miller Robert Sax Marci Williams
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
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FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
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www.BowlingIndustry.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy of International Bowling Industry is sent free to every bowling center, independently owned pro shop and collegiate bowling center in the U.S., and every military bowling center and pro shop worldwide. Publisher reserves the right to provide free subscriptions to those individuals who meet publication qualifications. Additional subscriptions may be purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $60 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, P.O. Box 7350 Overland Park, KS 66207 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2019, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.
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Hello Good Times
By Paul Lane
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager
HOTLINE: 818-789-2695
By Mark Miller
Seriously fun bowling, crafty cocktails, and big eats at All Star Lanes in the UK
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
70 Datebook 71 Showcase 48
73 Classifieds
SHORTS
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS
SNOW BOWL IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
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According to John F. Russell of the Steamboat Pilot, one of Steamboat Springs’ longest-running businesses, Snow Bowl, is now open after extensive renovations, including new lanes, a redesigned interior, and a new menu. The brother-sister team, Meryl and Joel Meranski, grew up in Steamboat Springs, put together an investment group, and charged ahead. “Before, we were a bowling alley with a snack bar,” said Joel Meranski. “Now, we are a full-service restaurant and bar with a bowling alley. We will always do well with the bowling alley, but we wanted to bring something new … and create a place where people can come and Co-owners brother and sister, enjoy time with their friends.” Meryl and Joel Meranski To pay honor to Snow Bowl’s history, the bar and table tops are made with the wood surfaces of the old lanes. The old bowling pins add flavor, and a metallic mural that captures the mountain landscape was commissioned and executed by artist
ON THE ROAD TO CARRICK CLASSIC LANES Husband and wife, Lisa Casen and Jeff Jackson, own Carrick Classic Lanes, the nextdoor neighbor to their Whoville Bar in Pittsburgh, PA. Right away you feel you are moving into The beginning. a world of imagination. And, it is imagination that this couple has in their goal to ‘re-imagine’ the oh-so worn and tumbled down center. Carrick Classic Lanes was born as Stanley Parlors in 1929, boasting two floors of duckpin bowling. Many names and owners later, it became a traditional American 10-pin center in 1961. It remained in operation until 1995. Its last claim to fame shortly before the end was being featured in Kingpin, one of the classic bowling films with Woody Harrelson. Lots of subsequent years of neglect and climate, with parts of the roof collapsing on the wooden lanes, made it a feat just to begin the renovation. It took 17 dumpsters, a new roof and electrical wiring and plumbing to just get started. So far, the couple has repaired the ballreturn and pin set-up mechanisms, plus salvaging a lot of the furniture and fixtures so necessary to maintain that retro vibe. There are lots of followers and supporters of this renewal. “It’s going to take time for it to come together, but, when it does, it’s going to be a true family bowling experience,” Casen said. “I think that’s what this neighborhood needs.” Meanwhile, a visit to Whoville Bar might hasten the return of Carrick Classic Lanes.
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LET THE GAMES FINALLY BEGIN! It has been a long road for Ten Pin Fun Center in Turlock, CA. The idea was germinated in 2010 with construction beginning in 2017. After some starts and stops, it is now open. The 62,000-square-foot space has a full-service restaurant, 34 bowling lanes, more than 60 arcade and interactive video games, a two-story laser tag arena, three full bars, an outdoor beer garden, a bocce ball court, and a covered patio. Well worth waiting for! Turlock now has 185 more jobs to add to its growing community. The restaurant name, Deadwood Social, came from an online naming contest. There is also a luxury boutique bowling room that can be rented for private events. Ten Pin can accommodate parties for up to 1,000 people.
ALSO HAPPENING Bowling Bowl in Brunswick, ME, was almost 80 years old and tired. It subsequently closed but was reopened January 1 as Bolos by two go-getters, Joe O’Neil and Michael Jerome, co-owners of a neighboring restaurant, Portland Pie. They eliminated two of the six candlepin lanes to create a dining area, and Jerome, a graduate of Texas Culinary Academy, is kicking it up a notch by offering Tex-Mex cuisine. Another name change: Louisville Lanes in Shakopee, MN, has been renamed Shakopee Bowl by new owners Dave Johnson and Julie Rich. “It’s going to be a good thing for the community and for Shakopee and the surrounding cities,” Johnson said. The Liberty Arena in Williamsport, PA, a hub for sports enthusiasts, has added a $5 million family entertainment center, which includes bowling and an arcade. Kaos Fun Zone offers 12 lanes of bowling, an arcade with over 40 games, an indoor trampoline park, and laser tag. The new Scorz Bar and Grille offers F&B to keep guests happy and satiated.
SHORTS
ß BITS & PIECES ß ß ß
55th QubicaAMF World Cup returns to Indonesia
Aussie Jason Belmonte’s kids get in the action.
It was 39 years ago that Indonesia hosted the Bowling World Cup. This November 16-24, the event will be held in Palembang in South Sumatra at the impressive Jakabaring Sport City, the venue of the 2018 Asian Games. Mrs. Hj. Percha Leanpuri, president of Indonesian Bowling Federation, said, “We are delighted to have been selected as the hosts of this most prestigious tournament.”
Jason Belomonte’s family at home in Australia were not far from the action. His children’s school, Nashdale Public School, showed the televised event for the students. A nice way for his kids to share in the event.
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India’s Smaaash is top bowling operator In the last five years, Smaaash has become India’s acclaimed gaming and entertainment hub. Currently there are 39 locations in 20 cities across India, with plans for 10+ to bring the total to 50 by the end of the financial year 2019. In 2017, Smaaash acquired 100% stake in BluO Entertainment, a premium format, along with 100% stake in SVM Bowling and Gaming. Kaizad Bajina, chief technical officer, has successfully realized the vision of play and party together. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Oldest bowling center west of the Mississippi River
According to Valerie Schremp Hahn, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the oldest bowling center west of the Mississippi River is Saratoga Lanes in Maplewood, MO. In 2016, it celebrated its centennial. Back in the day, bowling lanes were usually found in basements. Saratoga Lanes is upstairs which elevated the sport literally and figuratively by appealing to women. The only original part is the wooden gutters, but the retro vibe is still there with chrome ball returns and hand scoring.
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A defibrillator can make the difference Laura Pizzano, from Morristown, NJ, a nurse visiting her sister, was at the right place at the right time. They were at Rock ‘n’ Bowl in New Orleans on zydeco dancing night. A fellow patron collapsed, and, with the help of another patron, Pizzano started chest compressions. The popular dance hall/bowling center had an emergency defibrillator and with that Pizzano was able resuscitate the man. EMTs arrived and took him to the hospital. Having the defibrillator was the key to his survival, Pizzano said. ------------------------------------------------
Bowling gets Swanky Sandals, an up-scale resort in the Caribbean, has added bowling to its VIP Arrival Service at Sandals Royal Barbados. The fourlane bowling center is the first for this luxurious destination.
AUSTIN FECS INCLUDE AXE THROWING High 5 Family Entertainment Center has two locations in Austin, TX. Both offer bowling, Hologate VR, karaoke, arcades, and now axe throwing. It was bound to happen with the upsurge in interest across the country.
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SHORTS
Media
WATCH BOLLYWOOD TO HOLLYWOOD India’s Bollywood couple, Sonam Kapoor, an awardwinning Indian actress, and Anand Ahuja, fashion entrepreneur, were married in May in a highly publicized ceremony. What better for the uber-popular couple than a trip to Hollywood where they bowled at the Spare Room at the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Sonam captioned her Instagram photo, “A bar with a bowling alley? Say no more. Loved the cool vibe.”
LET THE CAMPAIGN BEGIN Peter Buttigieg, 37, the mayor of South Bend, IN, announced his presidential candidacy on April 14, 2018, in South Bend. The next day, he made a PR swing through New York, where he held his second rally at Brooklyn Bowl, where he sent his condolences to the people of France on the loss of Notre Dame Cathedral, speaking in French.
‘ANY GIVEN SUNDAY AFTERNOON’ In this parody documentary, which is episode 7 in the series Documentary Now!, the viewer follows three washed-up professional bowlers in their respective comeback narratives. The bowlers: Larry Hawburger (Bobby Moynihan) lives in his car; Rick Kenmore (Tim Robinson) is the crass bad boy; and Billy May “Dead Eyes” Dempsey (Michael C. Hall) who is a little more Dexter than Dempsey. It is character-driven and immersive, which elevates it to more than a mockumentary. “Any Given Sunday Afternoon” is worth watching.
STRIKE A POSE Suzanne Rae is an emerging fashion designer who blends old school elegance with a lot of art history influences and just plain fun. She used bowling as the vehicle to show off her spring collection. 10
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PEOPLEWATCHING Jason Couch, PBA and USBC Hall of Famer, has joined Ace Mitchell Bowlers Mart sales team. This comes close to his announcement that he is returning to competitive bowling on the PBA50 Tour. Couch comes to Ace Mitchell from Ebonite International, where he served as a district sales Jason Couch manager for the southeast region. He is replacing Ace Mitchell salesman and legendary bowler Bob Handley, who retired in May. ZOT Pinsetter Parts, Inc. has appointed Madeleine Smith as an executive assistant to Debbie Rosendahl, the company’s CFO. Previously, Smith had a 17-year tenure with H & R Block as a tax accountant. Smith will work with Rosendahl and on special projects for company president PJ Rosendahl. Smith is also a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and has worked with the Personal Assistance Service of Colorado. Madeleine Smith Intercard and Pinnacle Entertainment Group have teamed up to serve the arcade and FEC markets by providing each other’s clients with the best in cashless technology and arcade consulting services. Both companies are well-known in the industry, have customers around the globe, and even share a connection to the city of St. Louis. The two companies have worked together informally since 1990, when Pinnacle’s president George McAuliffe was then the vice president of operations at Edison Brothers Entertainment in St. Louis, running 135 arcades — including those at Dave & Buster’s locations. Ray Sherrod, founder of St. Louis-based Intercard, invited McAuliffe to test his new debit card George McAuliffe with technology at Edison’s arcades. Scott Sherod and Howard “We had already been exposed McAuliffe to the concept of play cards and I saw the potential in it,” says McAuliffe. “We bought our first Intercard system in 1998, and we’ve been very friendly with [Ray’s son] Scott over the years. We’re fortunate to come together in this business.”
SHORTS
BUSINESS AT LARGE 8 TRIFECTA EXPANDS INTO MARKETING Trifecta Management Group®, an acclaimed management and consulting firm, has announced the recent launch of its new marketing division, Trifecta Marketing Services (TMS). TMS will provide marketing solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses, customizing for each client with an array of services, including digital and traditional media placement, social media execution, brand development, marketing strategy, website creation, commercial development, promotions development, and event/party sales management. Managing partner, Ron Lame, said it was a natural step in the company’s evolution, as there is a need to provide independent businesses with pragmatic marketing services that can be done at an affordable cost.
8 LUCKY STRIKE GAINS A FINANCIAL PARTNER A press release from Business Wire stated that Wellspring Capital Management LLC, a New York-based, private equity firm, announced that it has closed the acquisition of Lucky Strike Entertainment, LLC. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Wellspring has a long history of partnering with founders like Steven Foster and Kevin Troy of Lucky Strike Entertainment who are poised for incredible growth. Matthew Harrison, a partner at Wellspring, said, “Wellspring’s experience in this space through investments such as Dave & Buster’s, position us to be value-add partners to Steven, Kevin, and the rest of the Lucky Strike team.” Steven Foster added, “We are extremely proud of what the brand has accomplished since our founding, and look forward to accelerating our growth trajectory alongside Wellspring.”
8 TO BE HONORED IBMA will be honoring its 2018 Major Awards recipients during the BPAA Industry Awards Luncheon at the Paris Hotel, June 24, during Bowl Expo. They are as follows: Luby Hall of Fame: Harry Page, sportswriter for the San Antonio Express-News from 1970 -2007. Alberta E. Crowe Meritorious Service: Karl Nickolai, creator of collegebowling.com website since 1997. Mike Kennessy Award of Merit: Chris Beard, a member of IBMA since 2006, then BWAA. She has served on many boards and is currently president of the Nevada USBC and Carson County USBC. Bowlers of the Year: Andrew Anderson and Shannon O’Keefe. Senior Bowlers of the Year: Michael Haugen Jr. and Tish Johnson.
A BOY’S WISH COMES TRUE Thirteen-year-old Riley Dinsmore was diagnosed with a progressive form of cancer. His biggest wish was to have his very own arcade full of vintage video games from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was determined to make it happen, and, with the help of Betson Enterprises, his wish became a reality. “To be able to help this young man’s wish become a reality is something we are thankful for. Everyone at Betson hopes the game room brings Riley, his family, and friends a lot of joy,” said Robert Geschine, president of Betson. Riley’s basement in Ticonderoga, NY, was transformed into a personal game room, highlighted by three fully-restored video games: a 1989 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; a 1991 original Simpsons; and a 1992 original Mortal Kombat. Betson also included two 2010 games that look and feel retro but play new—Pac-Man’s Pixel Bash and Arcade Legends 3. 12
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(L to R) Scott Sayward and Erin Duval, Wish Granters from Make-A-Wish, along with Riley Dinsmore and Dave Reiners, Betson’s Syracuse branch manager, with his wife Elaine.
PROFILE
People Buy From People Like
Beth Standlee
How the TrainerTainment CEO found her calling. By Robert Sax
B
eth Standlee quit her first real sales job. she introduces her proven personal sales process that she says will help The future founder of industry mainstay anyone gain more financial and personal freedom by learning how to sell TrainerTainment was selling books doormore. to-door during the summer, hoping to Standlee began her sales career in earnest a few years later. She had two make money during her college break. But the sales young children and Jerry was making a good living, but she felt an urge she was making didn’t make up for the loneliness of to do something on her own to boost her self-confidence. That “something life on the road without her boyfriend, Jerry. She different” turned out to be selling returned to college, became Tupperware, which she did well enough pregnant, quit college and married to earn nine brand new cars from the Jerry, saying “I got my MRS degree company. “I learned a lot about selling during my sophomore year of during the eleven years I spent with college, and my MOM degree Tupperware,” says Standlee. shortly thereafter.” She also studied such top sales How a nineteen-year-old, newlypeople and motivational coaches as wed mother with no college degree Zig Ziglar, Norman Vincent Peale, and went on to a successful career in sales Tony Robbins. “I’ve never sold training and a prominent position in anything I didn’t feel like made a the FEC industry is the uplifting story difference in the life of the buyer,” she at the heart of her new book, People says. “I learned early on from Zig Ziglar that, “You can have everything Buy From People: How to Personally rry Je d an sb in life you want, if you will just help Connect in an Impersonal World. In it Standlee with hu
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PROFILE other people get what they want.” After a successful but unpleasant stint selling cars, Standlee took the event-planning skills she developed with Tupperware and translated them to a new career in the FEC business. She started as an event salesperson for the iconic Bronco Bowl in Dallas, TX, visiting every business in the neighborhood to sell them on parties. She then took a job at Fun Fest with Neil Hupfauer, now widely considered the pioneer of the family entertainment center. “I went to interview with Neil, and he waved his hand at me and [said] why don't you see what you can do about filling in the lanes with a few parties,” Standlee recalls. “I knew a lot about parties because I'd sold Tupperware. I knew about it from a direct sales point of view.” She says corporate and group events and birthday parties were soon generating twothirds of the revenue at Fun Fest. “It was crazy. We had 75 to 100 birthday parties a week and about 40 to 70 company and group events a month,” Standlee says. She then took her talents to Schumacker and Company,
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which ran multiple traditional bowling centers, including 13 Don Carter locations across the South and Southeast. “I was the national sales director. I took what I had learned and began to implement those systems in those traditional centers,” says Standlee. A mere eighteen months later, owners Joe and JaNelda Schumacker did some restructuring and Standlee was “restructured out.” Fortunately for all, their relationship didn’t end there. (Standlee includes the Schumackers in the dedication to her book.) A few months later the Schumackers contracted Standlee as a consultant to handle several projects, including a PBA event and a center opening in Colorado. At the time Standlee was doing well selling capital equipment to the bowling industry for several manufacturers. But she was often frustrated when customers blamed her for technical problems which she had no control over. “I got this idea about training companies. People were buying capital equipment because I was going on site and
PROFILE
Standlee, second from right, in her Tupperware days.
Esther Israel, Standlee’s first mentor, taught her that a saleswoman didn’t have to be in love with the product she was selling; she just had to care what the product could do for others.
training them,” says Standlee, who felt she could meet a need in the industry with a company that trained people in party sales, guest service, and leadership. “I saw what I thought the business owner needed. I could provide a better solution,” she says. Her next sale was to her husband. “I remember having lunch with my husband on a Thursday in April and I said, ‘Honey, here’s what's going on’. It was kind of a big decision,” Standlee says. “I asked him, ‘Do you care if I quit my job? We'll tap out if I can't make it, but I'd like to try.’ My husband is a man of few words and he said, ‘Well it sounds like a good idea to me,’ and I turned my resignation in on Friday.” Standlee then pitched her business idea to JaNelda Schumacker, who liked it and agreed to discuss it with Joe right away. “They signed on to be my very first customer,” says Standlee, and she soon began operating TrainerTainment. “I didn't want to be a consulting company. That's why I'm not Beth Standlee Incorporated,” she says. “I wanted to be a training company. I wrote a training manual and created a party host training video, got a real booth from Skyline, and went to trade shows and bugged everybody to death to let me speak.” Her networking generated a story in RePlay about her new company, and in February 2006, she began contributing a column called “Party Professor” that is still running in the magazine. TrainerTainment’s tagline is, “Fun Training, Serious Results,” and Standlee went beyond simple motivation to offer “meat and potatoes stuff that you could take home and use right after,” she says. Among the extensive menu of services her company offers are business and sales coaching, onsite training, webinars, grand opening strategy, and even mystery shopping services. Currently she has a team of twelve key people and spends much of her time being CEO and the face of TrainerTainment. Standlee believes TrainerTainment is viewed as an industry go-to for best practices, a position supported by the award for business coaching 18
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that IAAPA bestowed on the company in 2017. “I think we’re respected and people count on us to be out front and help with ideas and strategy and help people grow,” she says. Apart from the IAAPA award, Standlee is proudest of her current team members as well as those who have moved on to do their own thing. She also beams with pride over several clients who have gone on to win IAAPA’s “Top FEC of the World” award, a list that includes Jake’s Unlimited, Scene 75, and Big Thrill Factory. She is proud, too, of her status as the longesttenured teacher in the BPAA management school. “I was there before [current education executives] Bart Burger and Kelly Bednar,” she says. To that list of achievements, Standlee now adds her first book, People Buy From People, which went on sale in mid-May on Amazon.com and the TrainerTainment website. She says the book is for anybody who wants a career in sales or wants to be a better sales professional. She isn’t afraid to be vulnerable in telling her story, and especially hopes to inspire young women who are struggling to make it in work and life. Along the way Standlee shares lots of solid information on how anyone can improve their life by learning how to sell. “Life is a whole series of choices that you get to make, and you're in charge of that. I think anybody that wants to improve their financial [situation], whether they're in sales or not, can benefit from this,” she says. “We're all selling something.” ❖
Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.
OFF THE CLOCK
Kilroy Treks 2,192 Miles Texas proprietor Dave Kellerman hikes the Appalachian Trail to raise money for BVL
Kellerman on the trail
By Mark Miller
L
ike others of his generation, David Kellerman never served in the military, but deeply admired those who had, like his father C.J. “When I graduated from high school and college, people didn’t talk about joining the military,” said the 56-year-old co-owner of Mel’s Lone Star Lanes in Georgetown, TX. “It never crossed my mind.” After engaging with his veteran and active service customers since opening the center in 2008, he wanted to do more. His epiphany came two years ago, when he and wife Melanie — for whom the center is named — served as guardians on a wounded warrior honor flight from Austin to Washington, D.C. It was while in Washington, D.C., they saw a sign at one of the memorials that read, “Freedom is Not Free.” “This hit home with us,” Kellerman said. “My father was a veteran of the Army. He was involved in rebuilding Europe after World War II. And we thought, ‘We wouldn’t be here without our freedoms’. It really struck home.” 20
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Having attended Bowl Expo and seen multiple BVL presentations, Kellerman became quite familiar with the organization. After hosting a number of local, more traditional fundraisers for the organization, he began putting everything together in his mind on something much more unique. The summer of 2017, between attending the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta and Bowl Expo in Nashville, the Kellermans rented a cabin near the southern trailhead of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. As a long-time fan of its history, Kellerman wanted to see the plaque designating its southern entrance, and he and Melanie took a day’s hike. “At that time, I hadn’t thought I wanted to do the whole thing,” he said. “But we were doing the hike, and a few miles in I thought I might want to do this whole thing.” The result was Kilroy’s Appalachian Trail Hike for David Kellerman
OFF THE CLOCK
Kellerman gets a great send off from everyone at Mel’s Lone Star Lanes
Veterans, which started on April 3, 2019. Over the ensuing months, Kellerman hopes to complete the trail while raising money for BVL. One of the longest and most challenging hikes in the United States, the Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain, GA, to Mount Katahdin, ME. According to Kellerman, about 5,000 people attempt to complete the trail each year, with about 25% succeeding. He said people
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who don’t finish it run out of money, time, or both; rarely is it because of injury. While the trek can take up to six months, Kellerman hopes do it in less than five. To do that, he’ll need to hike an average of 16 to 17 miles a day. That’s no small feat when lugging 37 pounds of gear in a backpack and facing all types of weather. Kellerman is disconnecting himself from much of the world, including current events. “I’m actually looking forward to the fact that it’s five or six months I don’t have to listen to the presidential campaign,” he said three days before starting. “When I get back, it likely will still be somewhat of a mess.” Kellerman already has met plenty of interesting people, some of whom he camps with each night at shelters, where hikers sign log books to show their progress. He is noting the number of bears and snakes he sees. “This is a very physical endeavor. It’s more mental and common sense than anything else,” he said. “If you can mentally get through it and have the common sense to know not to do something or what to do, you’ll survive and do fine.” No matter how long it takes, and through any disruptions, covering the entire distance over any period of time counts as completing the trail. “There will be times when I will take a day off to give my body some rest. I may stay on the trail in my tent all day, or if I’m near a
OFF THE CLOCK
Kellerman taking a well-deserved break
Lone Star Lanes. Though he had never bowled in a league, Kellerman did own a bowling ball from the days he and his town, I might get a motel room for two high school buddies would bowl weekly. nights.” Kellerman and his sister didn’t know Kellerman never imagined having such an about the bowling business specifically, adventure growing up in multiple places so they hired someone who did: general before settling in Round Rock, TX, in 1976. Kellerman’s official Appalachian Trail badge manager Doug Patton. He spent two years at the University of Besides his wife and family – the Texas in Austin and two years at what is now Kellermans have three grown children – it’s his staff who the University of North Texas where he earned a degree in Kellerman is missing most while in the wilderness. business with a focus on computer information systems. He Kellerman is paying for the approximately $1,000 in monthly married Melanie in 1985 and moved to the Dallas area to food and supplies himself, with 100 percent of pledges and start his career in the banking business. He returned home to donations going to BVL. To donate, go to bvl.org and click on attend St. Edwards University where he received his Master of the Kilroy’s Hike icon or melslonestarlanes.com and click on the Business Administration degree in 1990. banner ad at the top of the page. Pledges can be made by the Not wanting to return to banking, he joined his brother-inmile or flat donations. For each $25 donated on Mel’s site by law and father who owned some automobile dealerships. May 15, people guessed when he will finish the trek. The Selling cars for the first 18 months, he eventually worked his person closest to the day, hour, and minute will win a $2,000 way to becoming general manager of one of the dealerships. Carnival Cruise Line gift certificate. But by 2005, he knew he wanted to do something else. One “Barring an injury or something unforeseen, I will finish,” he day while working at the dealership in northwest Austin, said. “There will be some rough days and I will need to take Kellerman got mad about something and took a drive to cool off days and remember who I am doing this for and why I am off. When he passed by a recently-closed Target store, he doing it.” ❖ thought it would make a great bowling facility. He went back to his office and started researching; the wheels started turning. He submitted a business plan to secure his father’s financial help and convinced his sister Dot, a certified professional accountant also looking for a career change, to join him. “Dot had a lot Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He's the author of Bowling: of business experience, too,” he said. “We took what we America's Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com knew about business, [knowing] what we need to do and how or directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com. it needs to be done.” Three years later, in April 2008, their vision became Mel’s
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FEATURE
In The Spirit of Bowling Bowling is a part of two multi-purpose, faith-based community complexes By Mark Miller emembering bowling and churches together, visions of older lanes in the back buildings of Midwest parishes may come to mind. Visit Epic Bowling at the Riverside EpiCenter located west of Atlanta, GA, or Tuscany Lanes west of Birmingham, AL, and you will come away with an entirely new perspective on the marriage of faith and bowling. Both centers are part of multi-purpose community centers with amenities unlike anywhere else in the country — perhaps the world — thanks to the visions of their founding ministers. Both are part of megachurches that own them, and both promote their facilities as safe, family-friendly places where people can gather to enjoy themselves, whether through bowling or other recreational and entertainment activities.
R
Epic Bowling With its six lanes, Epic Bowling is part of a 113,000-square-foot building called Riverside EpiCenter. Opened in early 2014, it is owned by the 20,000member Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral located across the street. Senior Pastor Dale C. Bronner, who founded the church in 1991, envisioned the facility back in 2002. “The church built it, but it was built for the community,” said Dr. Christopher Boyd, the facility’s general manager and long-time pastor. “Yes, the church owns it wholly and there are functions of the church that happen in the EpiCenter, but mostly the community utilizes it – both the residential community and the business community. Educational, governmental, and a number of different entities use the building.” Riverside EpiCenter is located in the town of Austell in the southern corner of Cobb County. Its next-door neighbor is Six Flags Over Georgia which makes it attractive to a number of clientele. While it includes the usual gaming arcade found at many family entertainment centers, there is also a rock climbing wall that Boyd said is the tallest custom rock structure in the Atlanta area and patterned after mountains in Colorado. The full-service health club and gym, including a full basketball court, 26
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EpiCenter Riverside Church
encourage overall physical health. What makes Riverside EpiCenter stand out as a house of worship is its auditorium, 13 event rooms, and a recording studio. In addition to a complete catering kitchen for events, Subway, Caribou Coffee, pizza, and frozen yogurt round out the food offerings. All of these options make it easy to host weddings, banquets, birthday parties, corporate events, sports, concerts, dance recitals, and competitions. It offers youth programs and health clinics. EpiCenter is handicap accessible, LEED Silver certified, and constructed with recycled materials. It features electric car continued on page 30...
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chargers and efficient lighting, along with ease of access and free parking. Boyd said EpiCenter’s grand opening in 2014 attracted more than 8,000 people. “The facility is very multi-faceted and attracts a number of film productions, including some that have been done at the bowling alley,” said Boyd. “The original reason for doing this was to build a safe place for families and young people to be able to come and experience life. That was the motivator.” While there currently are no bowling leagues, Boyd is hopeful to have some in the future. They do Dr. Christopher Boyd, the conduct cosmic bowling. “Some pastor and general manager people might say having only six of the Riverside EpiCenter in lanes is a challenge,” he said. “I see Atlanta it as an opportunity to be able to create and do other things besides bowling.” Having the various offerings on site allows EpiCenter to create packages pairing bowling with other activities. “One thing important to us when considering the bowling alley was we wanted it to feature a reputable brand,” Boyd said. “That’s why we chose Brunswick to outfit all the equipment. That means this is a professional bowling alley. Even though we only have six lanes, we’ve still got a first-class bowling facility, and when you add the other amenities, you can have a great time.”
Epic Bowling at Riverside EpiCenter
Epic Bowling at Riverside EpiCenter is just one of many entertainment offerings
Tuscany Lanes The 12 lanes at Tuscany Lanes are part of The Bridge in Birmingham, AL. The 4,000-member Faith Chapel Christian Center is a multi-purpose complex that is a destination for entertainment, recreation, private events, and meetings. It’s nearly 120,000 square feet of space opened in phases, first to church members in 2010, some to the public in 2012 and the rest at an open house in 2014. The domes repeat the style of the 3,000seat sanctuary opened across the street in 2000. Dr. Michael D. Moore originally founded the Faith Chapel Christian Center in his home in 1981. He was one of just five members. General manager Sonjanetta Houston said Moore’s vision came from God, and he worked with his congregation to raise the $16 million needed to build the complex. “It’s a safe, Christian environment. We want 30
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Faith Chapel Christian Center and The Bridge’s sprawling campus in Birmingham, AL
FEATURE
Tuscany Lanes at The Bridge in Birmingham
people to have that [family] experience rather than just coming to a facility,” Moore said. “We want them to say ‘I want to come back and bring my family and bring my kids.’ ” Tuscany Lanes shares its almost 20,000-square-foot dome with the popular Tuscany Café which has a commercial kitchen. Its unique style features designs reminiscent of Tuscany, Italy, including arched concrete pillars directly above the lane approaches and above and behind the lanes. Streetlight poles are lined up halfway down the walkways between the lanes and
climbing towers. The Venue has two stages, seating, and a dance floor to host banquets, receptions, and business functions of up to 400 people. 2:17 has an open stage for performing arts for the youth ministry. The FitZone includes two National Basketball Association-size basketball courts, fitness rooms, a walking/running track, and a 1,200-seat banquet room, while the Tower Center serves as the complex’s welcome center and connects to the other five domes. It also includes a 48-foot glass climbing tower and observation deck that overlooks part of the city. The Bridge is closed on weekends other than for private events. Tuscany Lanes hosts a fun league on Monday nights and has open bowling on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The Tuscany Café is open to the public for lunch Tuesday through Thursday, dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and to private and special events at other times.
The Faith Chapel Christian Center sanctuary
Tuscany Lanes at The Bridge is part of a larger faith-based entertainment and event center
alongside the foul lines, which Houston said can distract many traditional bowlers. Pool tables, video games, and table tennis are nearby. Each of the other domes houses different groups or activities. There’s the Xtreme Kidz children’s indoor playground with 32
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Moore said school gatherings, team building meetings, wedding receptions, and birthday parties keep The Bridge busy most Fridays and Saturdays. Like EpiCenter, The Bridge offers packages based on needs and budgets that can include bowling. Visitors come not only from the Birmingham metropolitan area, but throughout the Southeast and beyond. Moore said most people find out about The Bridge through word of mouth. “We’re very thankful for the customers who go and tell other people, which is huge for us,” she said. “You can market, market, and market, but someone who has been here and has experienced it is critical. We want people to come here to experience it.” ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He's the author of Bowling: America's Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com or directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com.
COVER STORY
Main bowling area at Brick Lanes location
o l l e H ood G s e m Ti
ing, l w o un b ails, f y usl ckt Serio fty co ts at cra big ea es and tar Lan All S the UK in Bowling lanes at the White City location
By Paul Lane
O
nce upon a time, bowling in London meant warm beer and sticky carpets. But All Star Lane (ASL), a UK-based chain with five unique, boutique-style venues, made bowling swanky. With four of the venues located in prime locations within central London, and the fifth in the thoroughfare of Deansgate in the heart of Manchester, All Star Lanes is looking bright. Graham Cook, the company’s managing director, says, “All Star Lanes set out to offer something new in experiential leisure - harking back to the glory days of American bowling – and coupling the activity with handmade cocktails and premium food offerings. The original venue in Holborn, London, in 2006, featured a
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COVER STORY
The VIP lanes at the Holborn location
Reception at Brick Lane location
private events space complete with a separate bar and private lanes. This space has played host to countless corporate events, product and media launches, and personal celebrations over the years and is a key feature in all [of our] builds.” According to Cook, the idea was conceived by Mark von Westenholz and Tom Mullion, probably in a London pub. It was then developed with Dan Evans and Adam Breeden to become the All Star Lanes (ASL) brand. Tom went off to develop other ideas, Adam founded Bounce Ping Pong clubs and Puttshack indoor mini-golf, and Mark steered ASL through its infancy. Cook says, “Regrettably, I can’t claim to be one of the founding partners. I came on board three years ago, first as a consultant Mural in the restaurant at Brick Lane location and then [as] director of people and operations. I took the helm as managing director in July last year.” But Cook came to ASL from a 15-year long career in food and beverage and leisure, having worked in operations and human resources for businesses such as Radisson Blu Edwardian hotels, special events company Leith’s, and Selfridges food halls and restaurants. Evans, an award winning architect and designer, was approached by Mark von Westenholz who had come up with the original concept. Evans’ company, Sundae Design Studios, was originally a vendor of ASL, creating the visual language and design concept for the company. But through the close relationship developed during the conceptual stage, Evans also became a director of ASL. Once a clearly defined concept was in place, a team of experts was put together. And, according to Cook, “The concept was a hit with investors straight away, and we were lucky to find a site within a key location quickly. This meant that from conception, the first venue opened its doors in two years, in 2006.” Nick Keppe, managing director of Bowltech UK, says, “All Star Lanes’ wish to provide a bespoke style of boutique bowling means every center IBI
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COVER STORY is different. Dan Evans meticulously blends theme and design to the highest standards, taking into account the location and demography. All the locations are prime city center sites in areas of very high foot traffic. The décor, as well as the food and drink offerings, are to the highest standard. The All Star Lanes directors have attended Bowl Expos, visited many locations in the U.S.A., and blended the positive experiences of their research with their own personal touches.” It may seem like a cliché to say that All Star Lanes is upmarket and located in more affluent upscale neighborhoods. Every detail of the business, from design, to food and beverage offerings, to customer service, is first class. The ASL concept of quality food and beverage, driven by bowling in unique boutique settings, enables the company to charge a premium price: the bowling charge per game can be as much as 30% higher than in most traditional bowling centers. It’s a case of positioning and targeting the business to the more affluent minority that can afford it. And that adds up to a big profit. The challenge for designer Evans is to take advantage of the elements that exist when designing a facilty located in an existing, and often quite old, landmark building. For example, the Brick Lane venue houses six lanes, a restaurant, cocktail bar, and a private room called The Lodge. The Lodge offers two bowling lanes, a cocktail bar with Designer and co-owner of All Star Lanes karaoke, and is located in an area Dan Evans that started out as a loading bay. Bowling lanes and restaurant at the Holborn location
The front bar at Brick Lane location
The Deansgate venue in Manchester occupies a unique space. This venue is located in the former Great Northern Railway Goods warehouse and has six lanes, a cocktail bar, restaurant, and a themed private room called the Jungle Room which has two lanes, a cocktail bar, and karaoke. Another semi-private, themed area called The West Wing has an additional two lanes. The warehouse is home to a number of attractions including a food court, casino, and an Odeon movie theater. The Stratford and White City locations occupy modern shopping malls, yet still maintain unique styling associated with the ASL brand. The Stratford venue, located on the second floor of a mall, houses 14 lanes, a restaurant and cocktail bar, and a semiprivate themed area called The Loft which has two lanes and a fully stocked retro-American fridge. Stratford has the most lanes of any ASL venue, which, Evans notes, “With lots of lanes, it loses a little of the brand essence of the business model, but I cannot argue with its success.” The most recent venue, opened in 2018 in London’s White City, is located in the Westfield Shopping Center, a five story mall — the largest in Europe — on the ground floor and has external access through a beautiful outdoor terrace. The White City venue features eight lanes, a restaurant, two cocktail bars, karaoke, and the outdoor terrace, plus The Midnight Lounge, a 1950s, Miami-themed room with two lanes, cocktail bar, and karaoke. Evans says, “All Star Lanes makes the most of continued on page 42...
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COVER STORY ...continued from page 38
today’s light and sound technologies, including DMX-controlled, LED special effects lighting, especially in the private rooms.” All Star Lanes has an uncommon problem not seen in many BECs. Each ASL must tactfully and efficiently keep the flow between the lanes and the restaurant smooth. “Technology and highly trained employees, and used extensively to move people through the system,” says Evans. “With so few lanes, and the evening business being driven by bowling and dinner combinations, we cannot have people taking too long to complete a
Nick Keppe, managing director of Bowltech UK
Bowling lanes at the Manchester location
game, or decide they want to play an extra game when we have reservations stacked up, or linger over food when their lanes are close to being available. We must always be ready to move the next party onto the lanes or to their table for dinner,” he added. For ASL, the private party business is one of the keys to its financial success. “We have a team of four marketers and eight events sales managers. The events sales managers make calls to companies and organizations to sell corporate parties and corporate team-building events,” says Cook. “We are also blessed with a large following of loyal corporate guests who we keep updated with offers and promotions made through our database. Occupancy and utilization Graham Cook of our private rooms vary in time and number of people, from a children’s afternoon birthday tea to a fullday, corporate event with an evening drink reception, to private parties that often go into the wee, small hours.” Due to the custom nature of each of ASL’s venues, it was an important part of the planning and design to 42
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have access to rare and different equipment. From the beginning, ASL partnered with Bowltech UK because they had access to the most brands. Bowltech’s director Nick Keppe recounts, “The first All Star Lanes introduced the concept of the VIP private lanes to London way back in 2006. Bowltech UK was pleased to be selected to supply not only this first center, but every center since, [because Bowltech UK has] the ability, as an independent company, to select and provide exactly what the client is looking for.” The mix of equipment in all five centers varies: from AMF pinspotters to SES string machines; from subway ball returns to retro-style, overlane ball returns. In keeping with the desired American retro look, even the ball hoods and racks were old Brunswick Astro or Gold Crown units which were completely refurbished. The Karaoke booth at the White City location
continued on page 46...
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one constant has been the installation of Steltronic scoring and System 300 lanes for all of the centers. “I am confident in saying that All Star Lanes were the innovators of this new era of boutique bowling which has since blossomed everywhere. Their most recent [center] in White City, London, is without doubt one of the finest, with its Miami-style theming, three cocktail bars, and fantastic food offering. In keeping with modern trends, this was also the first of their centers to install SES string machines, though they do not rule out reverting to conventional, freestanding pinspotters for their next center,” added Keppe. In a business that’s driven by customer service, ASL has to stay current with HR trends. With over 300 employees in five venues, that is a tall order. “We are lucky to have a strong brand in the marketplace, and have worked hard on our employee The bar at the Holborn location
proposition, ensuring that we not only pay competitively, but provide a great work environment, and a genuine opportunity to learn and develop,” offers Cook. “This has meant that we often attract talented individuals from across the business spectrum, bringing a wealth of experience. When we do need to advertise, we rely on industry press and hospitality recruitment online job boards. The experience for our guests The restaurant at the Manchester location
The restaurant at the White City location
is determined by the people we work with,” he added. “Passion and attitude come above experience when hiring, as we have the ability to train people with the skills they need to excel in their chosen field. We have a central recruitment manager, but venue management makes the final call on all hires within their venue.” While staying solid financially, significant changes to the original concept and business model were due in part to the maturing of the business. The high-end business model allowed the company to expand and offer new entertainment. “We have stayed true to our original concept, albeit the size and shape of our more recent openings have allowed for us to dedicate more space to restaurants and bars and, of course, a greater number of lanes,” says Cook. “Whilst boutique bowling remains at the heart of our proposition, we now offer add-on activities, such as karaoke and video gaming. The popularity of our food has been such that we are now offering guests the ability to sample our menu at home, with a food delivery kitchen operating out of all our five venues,” adds Evans. Without a doubt Cook, Evans, and the team at All Star Lanes have developed a winning formula for designing and operating high-end, boutique-style venues offering quality food and beverage in conjunction with bowling. And they clearly demonstrate that branding does not have to take a cookie-cutter approach in terms of facilities design. All Star Lanes has succeeded in building a chain of centers, each of which are unique in every aspect, yet still manage to keep the brand concept firmly in the forefront. ❖
Paul Lane is former Director of Marketing and Marketing Services for AMF Bowling, Inc. He has been the director of 18 AMF World Cups, an officer in national and international trade associations, and a pro bowler during a career that spans more than 60 countries and 50 years.
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FEATURE
By Marci Williams
S
tate capitols are interesting places, especially for people with a passion for history. For history buffs, Topeka, KS, is a must-see. Topeka has served as the Kansas state capital since 1861, and the dome of the capitol building, at 304 feet, is actually larger than the United States capitol dome at only 288 feet. It is one of the few capitols in the United States that continues to offer tours that go to the top of the dome and where you are allowed to walk outside. It’s 296 steps from the 5th floor to the top. For those willing to walk the 592 steps, the champions deserve a special meal and beverage, and the Pennant is awaiting them in downtown Topeka. They’ll be rewarded with amazing food, beverages and, when rejuvenated, they can enjoy vintage arcade games and bowling. Cody Foster, co-founder of Advisors Excel, an insurance marketing organization which helps independent financial professionals market their small businesses as well as help facilitate their relationships with insurance carriers, faced a 48
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crossroads with his business: should he and his partners move to a larger city, or cement their roots in Topeka? Advisors Excel decided to stay in Topeka, but Cody knew that investments would be needed to make Topeka great. He thought, “What does Topeka not have? What would make people come downtown?” He formed AIM Strategies and became part of the revitalization project of downtown Topeka. Admittedly, AIM Strategies got the community eye roll when talking of their vision of a new, exciting restaurant in downtown. Cody’s vision Cody Foster, co-founder of was always to combine his passion for history and Advisors Excel his love of restaurants — his grandmother owned a restaurant in Stockton, KS, and he worked there as a child. The goal was to create a venue where people would have an unbelievably great time and create memories. The Pennant opened in March 2018 with an investment of $2.4 million. It pays homage to The Pennant Cafeteria which was open from 1931-1974. The cafeteria was run by Miss Patricia Beezley who was quite the rebel in her day, hiring only women and children from the nearby Capper Foundation for the Disabled, to work. The building was available and the
FEATURE perfect fit, with 7,500 square feet on each floor: the basement is keg and dry storage; the first floor is the restaurant and four bowling lanes; with the third floor housing the beer garden and retro arcade. The beer garden overlooks Kansas Avenue and the heart of downtown; the capitol building is one block west and very visible. There’s a wall next to the arcade which tells the story of The Pennant Cafeteria. The entire concept of The Pennant according to Cody is to preserve history, invest back into the community, and improve the quality of life. Thad Halstead, marketing director of AIM Strategies, admitted that none of the investors are bowlers, but they believed bowling brings people together — all ages can participate, and it’s an activity people can do while enjoying a beer. It is first and foremost a restaurant, and the menu is mouth-watering, with gourmet burgers and way-over-thetop shakes (both served with lots of napkins). They believe in diversity, with vegetarian and vegan options, monthly specials, and gluten-free options. The new chef, Pedro
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Concepcion, is committed to investing in local partners: Hazel Hill provides chocolate and has customized a pennant for them; Cashmere Popcorn, Moburts (spices, vinegars, and oils), and Shana Cake are all local businesses in downtown Topeka who have partnered with The pennant. The restaurant seats 200 and offers an amazing variety of
FEATURE burgers, such as an “Aloo-Ki Delight” burger which is an Indian dish of fried potato curry served with coconut apple chutney and house-made paneer cheese; the Off-the-Hook burger, which is salmon topped with lemon dill cabbage slaw, chipotle aioli and greens; and monthly specials (turkey burgers in November and a 1/2 pound spicy burger for December). Desserts are always the highlight of dinner. The Pennant offers seasonal dessert specials, like December dessert features a vanilla shake with house made sugar cookies, candy canes, and whipped cream. There’s an Over-the-Rainbow shake — ice cream piled into a waffle cone with coconut cotton candy, sprinkles, and whipped cream — cake-flavored vodka is optional. There are salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and kids meals as well. After eating, patrons can enjoy the retro arcade, which
centers who take good care of the traditional league bowler, so The Pennant caters to the non-bowler with arcade games. They feel that this type of technology allows a larger population to have fun at bowling and is a perfect fit for The Pennant John Hardman, president of and they find that office workers enjoy and network Jayhawk Bowling Supply, while knocking down the pins. Being so close to the state capitol provides them built-in traffic of state workers. was excited to work on the The Pennant has proven that investment can change project. “We were thrilled to perception and there is support from the public sector. be involved in a project to The revitalization of downtown Topeka also includes the revitalize the downtown of our Cyrus Hotel, a boutique hotel named after Topeka’s capital city,” Hardman said. founding father, Cyrus K. Holliday, and Iron Rail Brewery. Cody Foster believes in Topeka, and combines his “When we discovered it was passion for history with restaurants and entertainment. part of an historical building John Hardman Bowling does bring people together, it is recreation that renovation, and the owners all ages can enjoy and take pride in the history of the were looking for a vintage bowling look, we had building and the city. ❖
some ideas. It all came together beautifully. The center has state-of-the-industry equipment, capped off with a classic vintage look.” has 26 games featuring Pac-Man, Galaga, and Skee-Ball; the beer garden, which holds 40 people and has the best view of downtown; or bowling. There are four lanes and, once again, supported locally by Jayhawk Bowling. Admittedly, people may not come to The Pennant with the idea of bowling but often decide that it looks like fun or they just prefer to be active while eating and drinking. The area has room for 26 people and caters to the nonbowlers. Halstead openly acknowledged that Topeka has 52
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Ms. Williams worked at Learjet Inc. (now Bombardier Learjet) for 33 years before retiring in 2005 as a corporate tax accountant. She served on the USBC board of directors for nine years, the BPAA board of directors for four years and the BVL board of directors for seven years. Her high game is a 300, and she is a proud supporter of the Wichita State and Newman University bowling programs.
VISIT US AT BOWL EXPO
Booth #469
FEATURE
Photos by Andrew Cebulka
At Frankie’s of Charlotte, bowling is part of a larger family experience
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By Evan Henerson
D
uring a weekend in January, for the first time since the center opened around Thanksgiving of 2018, customers hoping to grab one of the 24 available lanes at Frankie’s of Charlotte encountered a wait list. Whether it was because the winter elements were driving customers indoors away from the outdoor rides or for other non-quantifiable factors, that early bit of bowling demand can be viewed as a harbinger that the company’s experiment of adding bowling may turn out well. Charlotte is the fifth Frankie’s Fun Park to take the Carolinas following the openings of Frankie’s in Greenville, Charleston, and Columbia, South Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina, by Doug and Ken Godley and the Godley Group Holdings LLC. An 84,000-square-foot indoor space sits on more than 20 acres, making the Charlotte park by far the largest in the Frankie’s stable, more than twice as large as their Raleigh park. Charlotte is also the first Frankie’s to offer bowling.
FEATURE
“In trying to see how this sized business would work in a market this size, we decided to add a couple of new attractions,” said Jason Printzenhoff, the center’s general manager. “We thought, ‘Why not add bowling?’ because everyone loves to bowl.”
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The lanes rent by the hour, increasing the amount of time a guest might stay in the park. Of course, if Frankie’s were to add any more attractions, their facility might rival Disneyland. The center boasts three variations of go-karts, three 18-hole miniature golf courses, and four outdoor amusement park-type rides, including tea cups and an air swings ride. And that’s just outdoors. Inside the 84,000-square-foot building, the bowling lanes share space with a laser tag arena, a fun house, a drop zone, a restaurant and bar, and what is billed as the largest arcade in the city. “You name it, it’s there,” said Eric Lindfors, director of new business for Brunswick. “They’ve taken it up a notch from their previous businesses. If you walk in the door, your wallet is in trouble.” Those 24 lanes are the first attraction a visitor will see upon entering the building. The lanes are open with no columns dividing them or anything blocking the view. Six large stretch fabric screens
FEATURE
span four lanes apiece. A 16-foot, LEDlit bowling pin serves as a sort of centerpiece between the main bar and the lanes. Frankie’s wanted the entire facility to attract customers of all ages, pleasure seekers, and companies planning corporate events, according to company officials and the project’s architectural firm. Curtains can drop from the ceiling to separate the lanes for private parties. “The client was very diligent about visiting a lot of different bowling centers all over the country and deciding really what they wanted the look and feel to be,” said Carol Bacon, lead project manager for ADW Architects. Lindfors had the advantage of working with ADW, a Charlotte-based firm and frequent Brunswick partner. ADW had overseen the Raleigh park, as well as several
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bowling centers which shared space with other entertainment offerings like movie theaters and restaurants. Frankie’s officials visited many of these facilities including the CineBowl and Grille centers in Blacksburg, VA, and Cary, NC. “The owner was a visionary and he did his homework,” said Robert Lauer, ADW managing principal. “He wanted this to be a first class facility, and he spared no expense. He wanted to make sure it would become a regional venue, a destination point for all over the South.” “One of the things we all struggled with was the concept of ‘what am I?,’” continued Lauer. “‘Am I a family entertainment center? A night club? A place for adults to come and hang out?’ We decided we wanted to try to include all of that, and we made sure to use contemporary design, materials, and colors.” From the Brunswick perspective, one of the biggest challenges presented by Frankie’s of Charlotte was the sheer number of pointof-sale pay stations that needed to be installed: 24 in total which included the adjacent bar and restaurant. With the swipe of a
FEATURE
credit card, patrons can handle their own shoe and lane rentals, as well as set drink and food orders in motion. Brunswick had handled the pay station installation at the Raleigh park, so Frankie’s administrators had a benchmark. “They could understand it and provide us with feedback and determine if there were any adjustments before they came to this new project,” said Lindfors. “It helped them get their facility open more smoothly than if they had to try to do this never having seen it before. There are a lot of people and a lot of activity. Having all that run smoothly is probably the biggest concern we had for them and they had with us. It’s not that the bowling wasn’t important, but the point of sales was a big piece of the puzzle.” Since Frankie’s opened in late November, early signs are showing that the facility will be a hit. And administrators are expecting a huge influx of visitors when summer rolls around. Given the venue’s size, Printzenhoff – who previously worked at Frankie’s of Raleigh – has found himself continuously on the move. “The owner likes to use the term MBWA–Managed by Walking Around,” Printzenhoff said. “For this park, it takes a little more action on our part to make sure everything is running smoothly.” ❖
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.
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CENTER STAGE
At The Summit in Thornton, CO, fun is at its peak
Don McBryane
By Paul Lane
T
he Summit in Thornton, CO, opened its doors to the public on February 12, 2019, the day after staging a VIP night where invited guests were lavishly wined, dined, and entertained before and after an elaborate Grand Opening ceremony. Located 21 miles north/northeast of downtown Denver, the Summit Thornton is the third Summit Entertainment Center operated by Performance Entertainment Group, with two more centers operating in Colorado Springs and Windsor, CO. The Thornton Summit facility features a variety of attractions
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including the Crossroads Tavern and Grille, a 120-seat patio with a fire pit, 24 Brunswick-equipped lanes, and two story laser tag action in a 3,500-square foot, state-of-the art arena. There’s also a 5,000-square foot redemption video and arcade game room, and a little nightclub in the Eagles Nest VIP lounge for those 21 and over, with eight private bowling lanes, billiard tables, and private bar. Sporting events can be watched on giant screen TVs throughout the facility. Delectable food and beverage can be enjoyed in the restaurant, lane-side, or you can simply sit at one of the bars and enjoy 24 beers on tap, specialty cocktails, or a glass of fine wine. The Summit Thornton is the place with something for the whole family. �
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CENTER STAGE
By Patty Heath
R
emember when you could take your nickel or dime into Woolworth’s Five and Dime Store and browse forever, trying to decide what to buy? Between 1878 (before all of our times) and 1997 (which many of us can remember) most everyone had walked into a Woolworth’s. Times have changed, but the buildings housing these artifacts are still around. In Birmingham, AL, the Woolworth on 20th Street South has been transformed. Orchestra Partners has re-imagined it into a social club where patrons can eat, play games, and socialize. The name was retained because of bowling’s 5-10 split. The Woolworth offers eight duckpin bowling lanes, the biggest Pac Man ever, Foosball, Shuffleboard, bumper pool tables, and lots of arcade games. After playing, patrons can quench their thirst at a full-service bar, eat in the dining area, or just kick back and watch sports teams on the big screen TVs. Time marches, on but five-and-dime stores can last forever. ❖
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DATEBOOK
BPAA
One-Day Management Boot Camps Available to state associations & multi-unit centers Contact Kelly Bednar (817) 385-8462 Kelly@bpaa.com
Upcoming sessions: JUNE 23 F&B, Catering & Banquet Profitability Bowl Expo Paris Hotel, Las Vegas Kelly Bednar Kelly@bpaa.com
JULY 22 Time Management Wyoming: bowlwyo.com Charlene Abbot (307) 324-3161 kcabbott@bresnan.net
JUNE 10-12 LaserTAG360 Creative Works www.lasertag360.com sales@thewoweffect.com 23-27 BPAA Bowl Expo Paris Hotel and Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, NV bpaa.com/bowlexpo
22 - September 1 World Bowling Women Championships Las Vegas, NV Southpoint Hotel and Casino 24-25 Trainertainment Sales Growth Conference BPAA Training Campus (817) 886-4840 www.trainertainment.net
SEPTEMBER
7-9 2019 Southwest Bowling Proprietors Trade Show Sheraton DFW Airport Irving, TX Karen Miller k.miller@texasbowlingcenters.org 23-24 Trainertainment Business Growth Conference BPAA Training Campus (817) 886-4840 www.trainertainment.net
17-18 LASERTAG CONFERENCE LASERTRON For more info: Ann Kessler (305) 257-3930
28-30 East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino www.bpaa.com
29 – OCTOBER 4 BPAA Bowling University Entertainment Center Management Arlington, TX Kelly Bednar Kelly@bpaa.com
PLAN NOW
CLASSIC PRODUCTS CORP. 2019 TRADE SHOWS July 23: Classic, Fort Wayne, IN July 31: Classic Washington
TOURNAMENTS FOR 2019
JUNE 12 – Deadline for applications for BOWLER ELITE SERIES 2nd Round Tournament To be held: SEPTEMBER 8-9 Bowlero North Brunswick North Brunswick, NJ Applications: bowler.com/eliteseries/sign-up#tournament
August 8: Classic Florida October 6: Classic Texas
21-22 Birthday University Atlanta, GA www.birthdayuniversity.com
Location and schedule to follow. Sarah Ann French sfrench@classicproducts.com (260) 484-2695 x 222
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7-9 LaserTAG360 Creative Works www.lasertag360.com sales@thewoweffect.com
2-10 World Bowling Senior Championships Las Vegas, NV Southpoint Hotel and Casino www.worldbowling.org
AUGUST
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OCTOBER
JULY 13 – 20 Junior Gold Championships Detroit, MI, area Bowl.com/JuniorGold
SHOWCASE MODERN. INTUITIVE. INNOVATIVE.
Sync® Invicta™, the next generation of Sync, is a softwaredriven innovation that is poised to keep guests on-site longer, returning more often, increase guest loyalty, help centers attract more group events, and improve staff efficiency. The enhancements within the Invicta release continue to deliver on Brunswick's vision to provide the ultimate bowler experience while driving profitability, reducing risk, and making life easier for center owners. With the release of Invicta, Brunswick is introducing a number of innovative new products specifically designed for each customer segment: Vision User Interface and Open Lane for open play; Rival Rumble for groups; and League Pals for league bowlers. Contact the Brunswick team at brunswickbowling.com for more information.
SOFTWARE THAT WOWS
Steltronic provides your scoring system with all of the features and software modules to make your investment a full package: 3-D patented animations with the WOW factor built-in; in-house advertising to grow your business; and guaranteed to be the friendliest system to operate at the front desk and on the lanes. With Steltonic, you’re making an investment in your business that has no hidden future costs. We know you don’t like surprise invoices, especially those for front desk and back office software licensing fees that seem to show up a year or two after making the initial purchase. For more information, call (800) 942-5939 or info@steltronicscoring.com. “We are your bowling center management specialists since 1980.”
DFX’S VERSA LINE
The VersaLamp RGBW+UV LED lamp is a unique, useful, and multi-purpose lamp. The RGBW LEDs are for entertainment, glow, and standard lighting applications, with digital DMX lighting control to easily switch environments. The long-life lamp boasts energy efficiency, simplicity of installation, and maintenance-free operation. It’s compatible with Versa or other brands of luminaires. Our new VersaLED video masking system provides a bright, highdefinition video masking system for bowling lanes. This system utilizes highresolution LED panels to provide the wow factor for your facility. It can display all types of high-definition video, still images, and graphics, and is perfect for viewing all types of media. For more information, email us at info@dfxsoundvision.com.
FIREBALL’S NEW ONE BUTTON SLAM-AWINNER STYLE PLAY
Fireball, in the profitable tradition of titles such as Slam-A-Winner and Monster Drop, boasts a modest footprint, fiery neon graphics, sub-woofer quality sound, and eye-catching light effects. It makes Fireball quite the attraction piece for any game room. Fireball is now available in two different play styles: the original two button, skill-stop version which allows players to stop the rotating Fireball wheel and time the ball drop (or vice versa) to earn displayed ticket values; or win the bonus and the new single-button, slamstyle play with the traditional scoring wheel. This allows locations which enjoy the profitability of their aging SlamA-Winners to exchange them for new, updated versions and fresh game play. For more information: contact Paula at Benchmark Games, (888) 538-1000, extension 125; or your local distributor.
WEBSITES WITH PAZAZZ
eBowl.biz’s BowlRx websites offer the latest SEO techniques, data building forms, mobile optimization, social integration—and look awesome! Drive more traffic into your center with a website that really shows off your center and makes people want to come visit. Why settle for an old website design when you can WOW them with a BowlRx website? Stop by eBowl.biz’s booth at Bowl Expo to see for yourself or call (541) 549-0999. For an online demo visit BowlRx.com.
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CLASSIFIEDS
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY ALL AMF BUMPER PARTS, XS Q-BUMP, DURABOWL AND GEN II IN STOCK
SEL L
BUY
Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767
Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - daryl@tuckerbowling.com
www.tuckerbowling.com
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695
SELL YOUR CENTER
(818) 789-2695
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CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com. REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751.
EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Call (608) 764-1464.
EDUCATION & TRAINING PRO SHOP TRAINING. Classes always forming. Jayhawk Bowling Supply (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
CENTERS FOR SALE ILLINOIS: BUSY 20-lane center in excellent condition, strong consistent earnings (solid leagues and parties), pro shop, and snack bar. Real estate included. Ken Paton (503) 645-5630. CANADA, Carman, Manitoba: 8-lane, 5-pin center with 6 Brunswick 81 5-string pinsetters & 2 Double Diamond 2B freefall pinsetters. Includes snack area, alcohollicensed, and 5,950 square-foot building. $250,000. Call Kos Realty (204) 745-7710. NE PENNSYLVANIA: 8-lane center. Includes commercial rentals, great location & great opportunity. Owner retiring. Center4sale@yahoo.com. NEBRASKA: 16-lane center in a nice town, Ogallala. Remodeled bar and kitchen. Asking 250K. Contact Jacob. cornhuskerlanesNE@gmail.com.
LOCKER KEYS FAST!
PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70 S.S. & M.P. MACHINES Save $$ on P.C. Boards Exchange & Repair!
All Keys done by code # Locks and Master Keys
MIKE BARRETT
E-mail: huff@inreach.com TOLL FREE
1-800-700-4539
Call for Price List
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576
3
EASY WAYS
to place your Classified Ad in International Bowling Industry Magazine
Call (818) 789-2695
Fax (818) 789-2812
your ad to:
Garber@bowlingindustry.com 74
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CLASSIFIEDS
WWW.TEXTBOWLING.COM
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CLASSIFIEDS
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695 WWW.TEXTBOWLING.COM
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REMEMBER WHEN
1960s
EVERYBODY BOWLS, CONTINUED
T
his AMF “Magic Triangle” campaign was interesting and effective. I personally like these ads as they become a detective assignment searching out who is who. Remember, it was the 1960s and given names were rarely used and surnames were most prominent. So here we have Mrs. Igor Cassini. She was the wife of columnist Cholly Knickerbocker. First assignment: who is Cholly, and why is he married to Mrs. Cassini? Cholly Knickerbocker was a pseudonym owned by the Hearst Newspaper Syndicate. The first Cholly was Maury Henry Biddle Paul, a columnist for the New York American, who passed away in 1942. Igor Cassini was a gossip columnist and coined the phrase “Café Society.” Igor’s first wife, Charlene Wrightsman, is our Mrs. Igor Cassini, bowling with friends in a friendly place, with friendly people, and experiencing friendly service. This ad was not her only foray into print. She was a proud Lincoln fine car owner. I did do my research. If the name Cassini seems familiar, it might be because Oleg Cassini, the fashion designer, was Igor’s brother. So many factoids. The “Streamlane Décor” Cassini’s group is using in this air-conditioned center was designed by Henry Dreyfuss. Mr. Dreyfuss, we can call him Henry, was an industrial designer also known for the design of the table telephone, the Hoover vacuum, John Deere tractors, and the circular wall thermostat. AMF knew who to use to create an environment that captured the fun of their game, bowling. A sadder factoid: Henry took his own life, along with his terminally ill wife, in 1972 by intentional carbon monoxide poisoning. This ad could wind up being a pretty good movie. Of course, the real star was and continues to be bowling! ❖ - Patty Heath
Mrs. Robert M. Cushing
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Mrs. Samuel Auchincloss
Carol Heiss Jenkins
Mrs. Edwin C. Callan
Mrs. Anthony Drexel Duke