International Bowling Industry November 2011

THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING

CONTENTS

VOL 19.11

6 ISSUE AT HAND

28 INDUSTRY NEWS

Notable Epitaph

A New Approach USBC shifts attention from leagues

By Scott Frager

By Mark Miller

8 SHORTS Ladybugs and bumblebees, the latest bowling “art” El Paso is in for 2015 BVL contributions continue to grow Bowling lanes total five on presidential grounds.

22

31 FINANCES IRS Code Section 179 Is accelerating deductions right for your center?

By Ken Paton

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Chris Holmes holmes@bowlingindustry.com

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Gregory Keer keer@bowlingindustry.com

OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com

CONTRIBUTORS Fred Groh Bree Gutierrez Patty Heath Paul Lane Mark Miller Ken Paton Lydia Rypcinski SPECIAL PROJECTS Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com

ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424

33 FEATURE

14 TRIBUTE

Doug Wagoner’s Fast Lanes

Life & Legacy of Remo Picchietti

Merging a passion for car racing with bowling

By Paul Lane

By Lydia Rypcinski

FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)

13245 Riverside Dr., Suite 501 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 789-2695(BOWL) Fax (818) 789-2812 info@bowlingindustry.com

www.BowlingIndustry.com

HOTLINE: 888-424-2695 18 PROFILE

14

46 REMEMBER WHEN

From Prom to Pins

1960

Wisconsin’s Shorewood High School has it all.

Mrs. Cushing and AMF’s “Magic Triangle”

By Bree Gutierrez

36 Datebook

22 COVER STORY

37 Showcase 38 Classifieds

Reno’s Renaissance Man How the Caranos changed Reno

By Mark Miller 33

Cover photo by Alex Greenburg 4

IBI

November 2011

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy of International Bowling Industry is sent free to every bowling center, independently owned pro shop and collegiate bowling center in the U.S., and every military bowling center and pro shop worldwide. Publisher reserves the right to provide free subscriptions to those individuals who meet publication qualifications. Additional subscriptions may be purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50 per year. Subscriptions for Canada and Mexico are $65 per year, all other foreign subscriptions are $80 per year. All foreign subscriptions should be paid in U.S. funds using International Money Orders.

POSTMASTER: Please send new as well as old address to International Bowling Industry, 13245 Riverside Drive, Suite 501, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label.

Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2010, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.

MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:

THE ISSUE AT HAND

Notable Epitaph As news of Mr. Remo Picchietti’s passing began resonating throughout the industry, my phones and email server were buzzing off the hook. There was no doubt that his death marks the end of an era.

There was no one quite like Remo in bowling. He was unique, special and, as so movingly illustrated in the tribute story that begins on page 14, was loved and universally respected. It seems that everyone has a story about Remo.

As I read this month’s tribute, I couldn’t help but be reminded about how important Remo was to International Bowling Industry magazine.

When IBI founder, Allen Crown, went on his very first roadshow promoting the launch of the industry’s first independent trade magazine called Bowling Industry, he was nervous and anxious about the welcome he’d receive from industry insiders. After all, he was an outsider with no experience in bowling trying to break into a mature field with longstanding relationships.

Crown’s first stop in 1991 was AMF Bowling and after a somewhat rocky start (a long, humorous story for a different issue), AMF announced they were “in” and committed fully by purchasing every premium page in the magazine for the

entire year!

Next stop, Brunswick headquarters. They too saw the potential and committed fully, albeit upset that Crown sold all the premium spots to AMF (another funny story for a different time).

But, even with their massive support behind the ground-breaking concept, Crown knew he had one more person to pitch before his idea would become a reality: Remo Picchietti. Crown knew that without his support, the magazine would have no hope getting off the ground. So, he made his way to DBA headquarters to meet with Remo and his trusted staff.

The pitch went well. The room fell silent as everyone waited to hear what Picchietti’s feelings were about this outsider and his revolutionary idea.

After what seemed to be an eternity of quiet reflection, Mr. Picchietti gave his nod and full support. This, despite the fact that one of Picchietti’s closest friends was none other than Mort Luby Jr, publisher of Bowlers Journal.

It was that night, from a payphone at O’Hare airport, when Allen called his wife Tomiko to let her know that the magazine would become a reality.

So I, like so many others, will always have a special place in my heart for Remo Picchietti.

He was, and always will be, the Ambassador of Bowling.

– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com

THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com Since its debut, www.BowlingIndustry.com has been growing by leaps and bounds. As the membership grows, so do the comments, suggestions and communications between proprietors, vendors and bowling business people.

As an example, check out the Forum and specifically the topic “Asking Your Opinion about State of the Bowling Industry.” It started with Rodney Nichols and his frustration over the new trend in bowling. Dan Pizzi commented followed by Phil Ontko, Lonnie Mitchell and Lew Sims. Each one had a particular take and background which they brought to the conversation. Then, just when you thought it was always “the few” who tend to participate, Dave Gee jumps in from London. Hey, it’s better than talk radio!

You can be part of it; you should be part of it. Put in your two cents. It’s worth a lot more to everyone.

6

IBI

November 2011

SHORTS

BOWLING AND POLITICS DO MIX Although Barack Obama stated as a candidate in 2008 that, if elected, he would tear out the White House bowling alley and install a basketball court, as these things usually evolve, the lanes are still there. In fact, more than 4,100 constituents have been granted access to visit the presidential lanes.

In the month of May, 230 bowlers were cleared by the Secret Service to try their hands at bowling on the Two lanes in the basement of EEOB (Eisenhower Executive lanes. Only 60 visitors since Office Building) 2009 have come to shoot a few hoops at the presidential basketball court.

There are three bowling facilities available on presidential grounds: two lanes in the basement of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the West Wing, a single lane in the basement beneath the North Portico, and a lane at Camp David.

President Obama spent his 48th birthday using the 10-pin lane at Camp David, where he reportedly bowled a 144 with three strikes and a nine in the last four throws. This was a definite improvement over his 37 rolled in 2008 on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania.

Mel’s Bowl is a real “Googie” Everyone is familiar with Google, but how many of you know a Googie?

Googie, named after a defunct Southern California coffee shop, is a form of modern architecture influenced by the mid20th century car culture and space age.

Mel’s Bowl in Redwood City, CA which opened in 1960 and closed in May of this year is gone but the sign has all the attributes of a Googie, according to Kaia Eakin, a member of Redwood City’s Historic Resources Advisory Committee. The committee is asking that a developer proposing to build a 141-unit apartment complex on Photo taken by Nicholas Cynor the former center site preserve the towering sign.

The Mercury News reported that the sign could qualify as a California historic resource, a “good example of a midcentury Googie sign.” While other historic signs remain in Redwood City without their accompanying businesses, none has been kept at a housing site. The decision is yet to be determined by the planning commission.

A Googie or not a Googie? That is the question!

8

IBI

November 2011

Media

WATCH

PRINCE HARRY’S BIRTHDAY BASH Prince Harry rang in his 27th birthday on a public bowling lane on a Friday night drinking beer and eating burgers! The Royal was spotted at All Star Lanes in London.

According to the Daily Mail, a British, middle market, tabloid/newspaper, the Prince “just took a lane next to everyone else, happily posing for photographs when asked.”

A NEW BOWLING FASHION STATEMENT While Prince Harry was bowling with the folk, a fashionista princess was setting the bar for a new bowling look. Kim Kardashian dressed to the nines to go bowling with family at Bowlmore, New York City. Jot it down for future reference: tight leather pants, a see-through top and skyhigh heels…all black, of course!

PEOPLEWATCHING Keitha McBride joins Redemption Plus as a regional account manager primarily serving Texas and the surrounding areas.

In her new role, she will be responsible for generating new business and cementing existing relationships.

Keitha McBride McBride has had 13 years in the family entertainment industry with companies such as Main Event Entertainment and Brunswick Bowling. “This experience will give Keitha a unique understanding of our customer’s business. She’ll use this insight to ensure we’re offering the right products and tools for their needs.” quoted Doug Stokes, VP of Sales.

SHORTS

BVL ENJOYS CONTINUED GROWTH In a press release, BVL (Bowling Veterans Link) announced that for the third year in a row, it has posted an increase in contributions for the 20102011 fiscal year just ending, despite a bleak economy and less than stellar league membership.

While association contributions declined by 3%, donations from bowling centers and corporate partners helped push the final figures over the 2009-2010 total to $761,660.26.

“We know that our supporters understand the importance of the BVL mission,” commented BVL Board chair Darlene Baker. “We are so thankful that America’s bowling family has dug a little deeper to make sure BVL can continue to brighten the days and boost the spirits of our veterans and active duty military.”

More than 700 state and local USBCs joined in the 2010-2011 campaign with California leading the way in state contributions with $116,952.42. Rounding out the top ten were: Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Minnesota, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Michigan.

THE TRIBBLES’ TRIFECTA Max Bowl – Port Arthur is #3 for Max and Brittany Tribble who acquired the former Megaplay in Port Arthur, TX from Capital Pacific Bank. The 40-lane center now called Max Bowl Port Arthur joins the Tribbles’ other Texas centers, Max Bowl North in Humble and Max Bowl East in Baytown. Ken Paton of Paton Financial assisted on the transaction.

GOODWILL CENTRAL NATIONAL AND LOCAL PROJECTS ABOUND October was designated National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Organizations and communities throughout the U.S. found ways to promote this worthwhile cause.

Country Lanes in Duluth, MN held its fifth annual “Bowling to Beat Breast Cancer.” The author of the book Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul, Mary Olsen Kelly attended the event.

Holiday Lanes, Bossier City, LA, is turning pink! To benefit Strike Out Breast Cancer and Susan G Komen for the Cure, three events took place in October: Bowl for the Cure, a paper tournament; Bowling for Boobies, an open bowling event and a Silent Auction. There were pink event t-shirts and “Pink Pins” for participants.

Lucky Strike, a premiere chain of upscale bowling and lounges cemented its partnership with Breascancer.org again this year. In the past, two successful events raised over $1 million. “This is the first national partnership of its kind for both Lucky Strike and Breast cancer.org and a great way to educate a young, influential audience about the importance of breast cancer awareness,” said Lucky Strike founder and CEO, Steven Foster. During October, Lucky Strike provided marketing support, advertising exposure, online and social media inclusion throughout its venues.

On the local level, there was no limit to causes.

Milwaukie Bowl in Milwaukie, OR, held a glow-in-thedark fundraiser for Milwaukie High School’s boys’ basketball

program. Michellel Husted, the center spokesperson said, “We are donating 100 percent of what is raised, since budget cuts have taken away so much of the funding.”

“Bowling for Bread” was the fifth annual Boca Helping Hands food center’s event held at Strikes@Boca in Boca Raton, FL. According to Marci Shatzman at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, there were sponsors for 47 lanes, seven more than last year, and 230 bowlers. The food center serves meals six days a week, delivers meals to the homebound and distributes bags of groceries.

Another food center, MLK Kitchen for the Poor, held its annual bowling fundraiser at Interstate Lanes in Rossford, OH. The kitchen helps feed over 200 people that go there each day. About 16 teams came out to support and bowl.

Everywhere one turns, there is a center helping: Linn Lanes in Canton, OH hosted Fulton County Health Department with providing dental services; Grand Blanc Lanes in Grand Blanc, MI hosted “Bowling for Kids” to help the Family Assistance fund at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan; Ham Lake Lanes in St Paul, MN, hosted “Strike out Hunger” which was the second annual event benefitting the North Anoka Country Emergency Food Shelf.

These and so many more have given of their time to help their neighbors and friends. Take a bow! And, take a moment to let us know what your center is doing.

Email: info@bowlingindustry.com.

IBI

November 2011

9

SHORTS

EXPANSION, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS With all the activity beginning to bubble to the surface, it would appear that bowling might be starting to dust itself off.

Spins Bowl in Mount Kisco, NY, is the latest addition to the Grand Prix New York’s 118,000 square/foot indoor kart racing and entertainment facility. Spins will be a 19-lane bowling center consisting of 12 “family” lanes and 7 VIP lanes with images of cityscapes from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles splashed across the walls.

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards and Summit Entertainment Centers, LLC, announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art bowling and entertainment center in Colorado Springs, CO. Brunswick Zone XL Colorado Springs will be the 100th location in Brunswick’s chain of centers in the U.S., Canada and Europe. It is scheduled to open in April 2012.

Leisure Time Bowling, Cleveland, OH, will open in late October or early November.

Developer Ben Moore and entrepreneur Dewayne Williams will merge resources to open a 24-lane bowling center with an expanded food court, arcade, pro shop and parking.

Williams will be moving his 12-lane Bowling Factory and Moore will greatly enhance his shopping center which lost a supermarket and had been vacant for some time.

Buckroe, VA, lost its bowling center in May. However, Century Lanes has found a new lease on life and has reopened. The original center was built in 1960 and generations learned to bowl there. The “new” Century Lanes will highlight those “back in the day” memories with photos and plaques. Sam Smith, spokesman, said that 32 families and local businesses purchased two new sets of pins for each lane just to have their name placed above the lane.

Smith added, “The biggest story is how the bowling community came together to save their bowling center in an age where many are closing.”

RECYCLED ART Finding bowling “art” is really not hard to do. In August, there was the lane made into a fire station’s creatively painted dinner table and in September artists from Fort Collins, CO shared their variations on bowling pins. Now, we find an entrepreneurial stay-at-home mom, Claire Holder of Enumclaw, WA, taking old bowling balls and creating garden art in the form of bumblebees, ladybugs and green frogs.

As quoted in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, Holder says, “I love to do artsy stuff and I love to do recycling.” Holder does not use a template, so no two are alike. Demand has prompted a website, www.recycledsmiles.com, and the items can be found in local nurseries.

Each creation has had a previous life as either someone’s league bowling ball or as a well-used cog at a center. “Bowling alleys usually throw them away,” explained Holder. Bowling ball heaven? Not a bad idea.

10

IBI

November 2011

A SILVER LINING IN A STORMY SKY When Life gives you lemons; make lemonade. Or, when storms hit; run for a bowling center! That is what happened in Schenectady, NY, when Tropical Storm Irene took a swipe at the northeastern coast according to the Times Union.

Shooting for an upcoming movie, “The Place Beyond the Pines,” ran into a definite rain delay, and what better to do than to find

Blaise Lawyer of Boulevard Bowl at the front desk in Schenectady, NY. Photo credit: Lori Van Buren/Times Union.

a warm, dry bowling center to pass the time. So, 40 actors and crew reserved lanes at Boulevard Bowl.

“How often do you get A-list actors that come into your establishment in Schenectady?” asked Mark Derenzo, an employee at the lanes who saw star Eva Mendes bowl a few games. “Not too often.”

Claire Holder’s works of bowling ball art

Lady Bugs with a green frog

Photo credit: Photo(s) by Brenda Sexton, The Enumclaw Courier-Herald

SHORTS

3rd Summer Campaign Comes to a Close Kids Bowl Free 2011 Summer Campaign has come to a successful close with a total of 880 U.S. centers across the country participating and 44 Canadian centers taking part. To promote bowling as a lifetime sport and to provide a safe, secure and fun place for kids to spend their summer leisure time, a bus tour set off across the U.S. to pump up interest. It was spotlighted on Fox, NBC and CBS networks plus a pictorial splash in IBI. The results? Centers saw registrations climb. The top two national centers in three lanebed categories were as follows: Centers with 31+ lanes: #1 Serra Bowl in Daly City, CA had 17,626 registrants.

Second was Mel’s Lone Star Lanes in Georgetown, TX with 16,352.

Centers with 13 – 30 lanes: #1 Bel Mateo Bowl in San Mateo, CA totaled 8,447.

Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, FL took the number two spot with 8,054.

Centers with 12 lanes and under: Amazing Jakes in Mesa, AZ was truly amazing with 3,375 registrants and Sumps Bowling Lanes in Cincinnati, OH came in second with 2,880.

EL PASO GETS THE NOD FOR 2015 El Paso, known as The Sun City, hosted the women’s bowling championships in 2010 and has now been chosen as the site for the National Bowling Congress Open Championship in 2015. It will be the 112th edition of the USBC Open Championships, which have been held in 48 cities in 26 states since its inception in 1901.The other finalists were Las Vegas and Syracuse, NY. The economic impact of the 2010 tournament for El Paso was about $40 million; the tournament in 2015 is expected to have a $75 million impact on the El Paso community along with approximately 100,000 visitors.

Upcoming sites are Baton Rouge, LA in 2012; Reno, NV in 2013 and 2014 and 2016.

3

EASY WAYS

to place your Classified Ad in International Bowling Industry Magazine

Call (818) 789-2695

Fax (818) 789-2812

E-mail your ad to:

info@bowlingindustry.com

12

IBI

November 2011

TRIBUTE

AMBASSADOR REMO

REMEMBERED 1930-2011

Paying tribute to an industry giant

By Paul Lane

R

emo Picchietti, who passed away on September 26, was a man who wore many hats in his long and varied career — lawyer, mayor, judge, lane maintenance expert, teacher, counselor, mentor to countless integers in the bowling industry, international businessman, advisor and member of numerous industry trade associations, member of the USBC Hall of Fame (formerly ABC), glider pilot, and devoted family man, to name but a few.

But the hat that fit Remo the best was that of an ambassador. As an industry ambassador Remo ranks alongside my late friend Dick Weber who between them wrote the book on how to be an ambassador for any industry... without formerly being given the assignment–they both simply gravitated naturally to the role.

During my 30-year tenure with the international division of AMF, I frequently and unexpectedly ran into Remo in different parts of the world. For example, I recall coming down for breakfast in a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, and there he was. He immediately invited me to attend his seminar for proprietors where he introduced me to the group, telling them I represented a company with a very fine line of lane maintenance products. And he mentioned AMF products several times during his presentation, and never once mentioned his own company, DBA. But, at the end of the day, everyone knew it was all about DBA, and Remo had clearly demonstrated to me the fine art of soft selling.

It would be easy to fill several pages with my impressions and memories of Remo, but so many people have echoed my thoughts and feelings and said it better than I, so I’ll let them pick up the story from here.

“I think it would be accurate to describe him as the father of lane maintenance. Quite simply, he made an impact on the sport and business that he loved and he will be missed.”

Steve Caffrey VP Sales (Consumer & Aftermarket Products) Brunswick Bowling & Billiards

“He was an honest motivator who tried to emphasize the need for integrity in the bowling game. What a great messenger for bowling he was as he went around the world doing his seminars.”

14

IBI

November 2011

Frank Sisson

Frank Sisson’s Classic Car Showroom & Auction, Calgary, Canada

“I remember that … he was talking with passion about bowling, like he was 25 years old, full of energy to conquer the world.”

Tasso’s Sivissidis Sivissidis Brothers — Greece

“That was the kind of person he was...took care of business, knew how to enjoy himself and others, developed programs that anticipated future needs

and was willing to share anytime.”

Gordon Murrey Director GKM International USA

“The expression "giant of the industry" understates the value of Remo's contribution to Bowling. The term "father figure" understates the esteem in which I held him personally.

From Singapore to Scotland, from Budapest to Boston, he was the true ambassador of bowling, answering every conceivable question, and thus creating lasting friendships and followers, worldwide. To pay true

TRIBUTE homage to such a true friend would require a book, not a few lines, but I have one big advantage … the memories. I’m missing him already.”

Nick Keppe President Director Bowltech UK

“Remo had a wonderful vision for the industry and always put the industry first.”

George Bradner former CEO Perry Austen

“I learned a lot from him, especially on how to sell your product without mentioning it.”

Marcelo Dhers Dragon Bowling — Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong, Japan

“When Remo retired from DBA and announced he was no longer going to present the [Humanitarian] award, Columbia 300's John Jowdy immediately picked up the concept and carried on the tradition, renaming it the "Remo Picchietti Humanitarian Award." Jowdy's first recipient was Remo, himself. I thought that gesture spoke volumes about what the bowling family felt about Remo.”

Bill Vint Sleeping Dogs Communication

"’Bowling lane maintenance is not a job for a janitor. It is a job for a well trained, well motivated, and well paid individual.’ He said these words at the beginning of every Lane Seminar. Remo was my boss, teacher, and friend for the six years that I worked for him at DBA.

He then remained my friend for the next 27 years of his life. He was a great man. I will miss him terribly.”

Mike Quitter

1

Vice President International – Ebonite International

“Remo Picchietti was many things to many people. Obviously, he was a great man whose life touched so many of us. But I so remember Remo telling me, without any reservation whatsoever that, in actuality, he was first and foremost a peddler.

Remo was like that--a man who made light of his own contributions and tried to put life and business on their simplest terms.”

Brent Perrier

2

President Brunswick Bowling Products

“Remo had it all. His legal education and experience combined with service as a judge allowed him his range to see both sides of any question and to act fairly but firmly.

His scientific questioning led him to seek and discover answers to the wide world of lane maintenance and bowling products previously unknown and his business sense was envied by all.”

Chuck Pezzano Author, historian, 12-time Hall of Famer

3

“My best recollection was having the honor of calling to tell him he’d been elected to the ABC Hall of Fame. At his induction ceremony,

1. Front to back — left side of table: Remo and his wife Pixie, Peter Schlotter (Golden Ball Tournament organizer) Jeanie Maiden (pro-bowler).

2. Remo busy running DBA, although we’re not sure how often he wore a suit to the office.

3. L to R: Remo Picchietti, Tom Malloy (Ebonite), Pro-bowler Jeannie Maiden & Timo Laitinen (former President of the Finish Sports Federation) at the FIQ Championships at Tali Bowl, Finland in 1987. Jeannie (representing DBA) had just beaten Ebonite’s Earl Anthony in a one game match. Tom is seen handing over the $0.50 wager they had on the match. (Photo courtesy Mike Quitter).

4. John Jowdy (Columbia 300) presenting the renamed “Remo Picchietti Humanitarian Award” to Remo himself — making him the first recipient of the award. (photo courtesy Bill Vint)

4 IBI

November 2011

15

TRIBUTE 5. Remo making a quality control check at DBA’s headquarters (Lake Bluff, IL) 6. Remo presenting one of the lanes maintenance seminars he was so well known for . . . this one in Alicante, Spain in 1987 (photo courtesy Mike Quitter).

7. Remo Picchietti (far right) presenting Nick Keppe (Bowltech U.K.) with a plaque inscribed "In recognition of continued support, loyalty and friendship" at the 1991 FIQ Championships in Singapore.

8. Left to Right: the Manager of the US Army center in Hanau, Germany, Remo & Mike Quitter when DBA ran a combined seminar for USAEUR (circa 1989) (photo courtesy Mike Quitter).

his genuine warmth and appreciation is something I’ll never forget.”

Steve James

5

ABC Hall of Fame Executive Director (retired)

6

“Remo clearly is one of those rare individuals deserving of every accolade that could be bestowed on him. During his time of adversity with the tragic death of his father in 1959, he took over the reins of DBA Products Company and built it into the premier lane maintenance company in the industry.”

Don Ingermann Dimension Z Golf — Arvada, Colorado (formerly Century International).

“I remember attending the first clinic for DBA in Volendam in 1980 where he introduced the concept that lane maintenance starts at the parking lot. What a brilliant approach to help people understand that lane maintenance is much more than simply putting oil on the lane!”

Hans Krol CEO Bowltech Group, the Netherlands

“He was the consummate professional and always took the high road in all our meetings. He was never

7

negative and always saw the glass as half full and positive we were doing the right things for the bowling industry.”

Ron Wood Las Vegas Bowling Supply, Nevada

“He was a friend for sure but sometimes a father, as he took care of me. I can't forget when he tried to talk Italian. I'll miss him.”

Cesare Lancellotti SABIM Bowling Marketing Service, Italy

“It’s interesting that to this day – more than a dozen years after DBA was sold – I still meet people who will say ‘You worked with Remo, didn’t you?’ It’s almost as if we didn’t work for DBA, we didn’t work for a company, we worked with Remo.”

Mike Sledz National Marketing Manager- Brunswick Bowling & Billiards

“One word which best describes him in his dealings with me both as a customer and also a colleague on industry boards....integrity! " Wally Hall Hall Investments, Inc.

Our thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to the Picchietti family: Pixie, Remo’s wife of 55 years, and his five children and 13 grandchildren. To read more remembrances of Remo Pichietti, please log onto our website, www.bowlingindustry.com. ❖

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.

8 16

IBI

November 2011

OPERATIONS

From Prom to Pins Bowling’s dream high school has it all including four full lanes on campus.

By Bree Gutierrez

T

he Shorewood School District in Wisconsin has recently finished a complete renovation of its four bowling lanes originally built in the early 1950s. Having the lanes usable again means more programming and community involvement for the small village of Shorewood. “We really want community members to come in and use our facilities and enjoy being a part of our district,” Shorewood School District Recreation Supervisor, Nick Phalin said. Revamping the basement bowling lanes into a usable space was a big priority for the Shorewood School Board.

“It was a school board decision whether we would spend the money to replace

the lanes or not,” Phalin explained. “They discussed it and decided this is something we want to keep that’s unique to Shorewood…I’m really glad we chose to make the decision to have the lanes refurbished because they look great. We are getting community use out of them now.” Phalin said the goal was for everyone to be able to enjoy the new bowling lanes so they charge minimal fees to the public. Shorewood School District offers anywhere from one to five days a week for their summer public programs and bowling is included in the daily playground fee. Also, the public is able to come in to the high school to bowl or swim without charging an extra fee.

Phalin explained, “We have plans for this fall to offer Friday night bowling for youth, we’ve offered it all summer for our summer recreation department programs. We’ve offered birthday parties, and we’re looking to do some senior citizen planning. I’ve looked to offer intramural sports for the high school kids, so we do have a lot of opportunities and ideas for what we’d like to do.” The district also upgraded the lighting system, incorporating glow-bowing, so that they could compete with other bowling centers in the area.

The new lanes at Shorewood are a unique feature. “To my knowledge, we

Shorewood, WI Highschool.

Home to four newly refurbished lanes.

18

IBI

November 2011

OPERATIONS Nick Phalin, Shorewood, WI, School District Recreation Supervisor, proudly standing near the four refurbished lanes at Shorewood Highschool.

are the only school to have bowling lanes in our school district in the state of Wisconsin,” Phalin said. Reaching out to the Shorewood community at large was a motivating factor in deciding to upgrade and refurbish the lanes. To create a space to be utilized by the community, it had to be safe.

It was apparent the lanes had not been properly cared for in quite a while. “The lanes were almost completely black from probably the first 15 to 20 feet from the ball burning into the wood because we were not oiling at all,” Phalin said. “It was something that just got forgotten and then it was beyond repair…“ The four lanes were resurfaced, and

all four Brunswick pinsetters were refurbished. The bowling lanes were repainted and the lighting was upgraded. All of the cabinetry and countertops are new, as are the 100 pair of shoes and 36 bowling balls. The total project cost around $75,000.

Shorewood tried to keep the originality of the bowling lanes. “Our ball returns

IBI

November 2011

19

OPERATIONS

are a little different, in the sense that they’re not covered,” Phalin said. “You actually see the ball as soon as it’s done by the pinsetters in the machinery. You see it roll all the way back and up onto the ball return. That’s just what we had…and I’m guessing that was the older style. We did try to keep a few (original) things.” The District also decided to keep the manual scoring system, as that teaches the children how to score and keeps the children learning and involved.

Now that the lanes are finished, Shorewood School District is able to put its community-based plans into action. “As of now, we have a community usage plan on Friday evenings, we do rentals for birthday parties, and I’m sure some of our varsity teams for other sports will be using it for team building,” Phalin said. “We’ve already had a high school alumni reunion earlier this summer and we had the bowling lanes open just for previous alumni.” One other group Shorewood opens its lanes to is the Special Olympics team. “Now that we have the lanes up and working, they’ll be using them this fall,” Phalin said. “We hire a coach and they’ll have practices one to two days a week and they will compete in local, regional and then state competitions as well.” ❖

A student uses the lanes

20

IBI

November 2011

Bree Gutierrez, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, is a freelance writer and preschool teacher residing in Southern California with her husband and son.

COVER STORY

By Mark Miller

hen a member of Reno’s Carano family speaks, the Northern Nevada business community generally listens.

Good thing it did when patriarch Don Carano first mentioned bowling four decades ago.

Nobody wants to think what might have happened to the area had he not.

The story began in the early 1970s. Carano was a lawyer and partner of the now-defunct Pioneer Inn south of the downtown Reno railroad tracks. He was about to open the first casino north of the tracks, the Eldorado, and needed new customers to visit.

“What about bowlers?” he asked members of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We saw bowlers as a great tie-in to our city,” said Bob Cashell, Reno’s mayor since 2002 and

W

co-owner with Carano of the Boomtown Hotel and Casino back then. “Bowlers are mainstream America. They are down to earth. I don’t think I’ve ever run into an arrogant person in bowling. They’re like Reno.”

“Reno relates to the demographics of bowlers,” said Carano’s oldest son, Gary. “They come from all over America but primarily from the Midwest and Texas. We thought Reno would be a great fit.”

So business and RSCVA leaders like Carano, Cashell, Sparks Mayor Jim Lillard, Valley Bank President Bob Sullivan and RSCVA President Jay Milligan approached the American Bowling Congress about bringing its annual championship tournament to Reno. ABC, which previously had rejected holding its signature event in a gambling environment, agreed and held its first tournament in Nevada in 1977 with 40 lanes installed in what was then called Centennial Coliseum.

Nearly 40,000 bowlers plus their families descended on

The Reno strip as it looks today (from left to right): The Eldorado, The Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus surround the National Bowling Stadium (front, center).

22

IBI

November 2011

COVER STORY

Don Carano at his winery, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards, in Healdsburg, CA.

IBI

November 2011

23

COVER STORY

Bowlers enjoy the facilities at the National Bowling Stadium.

the area, enjoying themselves enough that about 45,000+ came in 1984 to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The Women’s International Bowling Congress was so impressed, it awarded its 1988 Championships to bowling centers in Reno and nearby Carson City.

The result was a then-record 78,462 total participants. That was followed by the 1990 ABC with approximately 50,000. Clearly, Reno had struck gold.

“The bowlers had such a great experience in Reno,” said another son, Glenn, who like Gary and younger brother Gregg had become fully immersed by then in helping lead the family business.

Gary had worked in casinos since graduating from the University of NevadaReno with a business degree in the mid-1970s. Glenn, the backup to quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Danny White for seven years with the Dallas Cowboys, came aboard after his pro football career ended in 1984.

Gregg put his degrees in hotel/restaurant management, culinary arts and occupational studies to good use.

Now, area business community leaders wanted the bowlers to come more often and in something bigger and more practical than the convention center.

So they came up with the idea of building a bowling palace, the “Taj Mahal of Bowling” as the Los Angeles Times called the National Bowling Stadium, when opened in 1995.

In conjunction with that building was a joint venture between the Caranos and the owners of Circus Circus to build Northern Nevada’s largest resort complex, the Silver Legacy.

“Don really started everything,” Cashell said. “He got the convention people enthused. He got other casinos included. They bought in even when they were not downtown. Once the Tri-Properties are filled, people will go to places like the Peppermill, Atlantis and the Nugget.”

To make the National Bowling Stadium project a success, Reno had to convince ABC and WIBC to bring their tournaments more often. That’s exactly what happened as ABC and WIBC, and then the United States Bowling Congress agreed to bring their open and women’s events at least every three years.

And bring the people they did to the tune of about 90,000 bowlers each to the 1995 ABC and 1997 WIBC. Other bowling organizations’ events followed. Reno had literally hit the jackpot.

“The bowlers have had such a great experience when they come to Reno,” 24

IBI

November 2011

The dramatic exterior of National Bowling Stadium.

said Glenn, Silver Legacy’s director of marketing.

“It’s been a beautiful partnership,” said Gary, Silver Legacy’s general manager and Eldorado’s president and chief operating officer. “We know how important bowling is to Northern Nevada.

The bowling community has been so generous to us, we can’t show our appreciation enough.”

A major reason for that great experience is the Caranos and their staff understand what that means to the bowlers and to Reno. It didn’t hurt that Gregg Carano, who now serves as vice president of food and beverage for all of the Carano properties, was a bowler.

“We’ve always made sure when the bowlers come to Reno they’ve had a great time,” said Glenn, who worked closely with Eldorado Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rick Murdock to make that happen. “When the bowler comes to Reno, Nevada, he or she is a big fish in a small pond not a small fish in a big pond. To us, bowlers are very important people. We made a business deal with the bowlers. It’s worked for them. It works for us. It’s a win- win. They do great business for Reno, Nevada.”

Nobody knows that better than marketing guru Joan Romeo, who has worked with the Caranos since the National Bowling Stadium opened. “The Carano family and their staff are a remarkable group and it has truly been my

COVER STORY

The Eldorado Hotel.

An aerial shot of the construction of the Silver Legacy and the Reno Strip, circa 1995.

Artistic rendering of the Silver Legacy from the street.

pleasure to have the opportunity to work with them,” she said. “Their warmth and hospitality are second to none.”

That partnership has worked both ways. While the bowlers help sustain the Caranos and the Reno economy, the family has given back to bowling in a number of ways. There’s the red-carpet hospitality at the Tri-Properties. There have been numerous financial sponsorships of ABC, WIBC and USBC events. And there have been things like the $100,000 donation to USBC’s top charity, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help eradicate breast cancer, a disease that directly affected Don’s wife Rhonda.

Don Carano’s activism in the promotion of tourism in Reno and Northern Nevada has earned him numerous honors. He was inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame in 1996, earned the 2000 International Restaurant and Hospitality Rating Bureau’s Millennium 2000 Lifestyle Achievement Award. And he’s been named Nevada’s Hotelier of the Year.

His generosity and driving force helping Reno business and civic leaders understand the importance of bowling in Northern Nevada 26

IBI

November 2011

also earned him the 2004 WIBC Gladys Banker Friendship Award.

Now it will take some more charm from Don and his sons, along with Cashell and other area officials to keep the flow of bowlers coming for many years to come. The current deal with USBC ends in 2018 and the National Bowling Stadium needs updating. “It’s been 16 years,” Gary said. “It’s time to make modifications.

It needs a number of enhancements.” A $2 per night room tax already is being collected to gather the $2030 million needed for the potential renovations. But first, the Reno business community needs to talk with USBC on its needs if the contract is extended.

There’s also a matter of a potential 100-lane stadium on the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports complex sometime in the future that could take away some of Reno’s tournaments.

“I think where we’re going with an enhanced and remodeled National Bowling Stadium is to make it more exciting for those who have already been here and for those who have never been here,” Gary said. “Once we have those plans in place the new, improved Taj Mahal of Bowling will come up.”

While Don Carano remains Eldorado’s owner and chief executive officer and half-owner of the Silver Legacy, he has passed much of the day-to-day work from the family’s Nevada and Shreveport, LA., properties to Gary, Glenn, Gregg and two other children as he and Rhonda co-founded the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards in California.

As Glenn said, his father always liked challenges.

Good thing for Northern Nevada he was up to the test with bowling. ❖

Mark Miller is a freelance writer from Flower Mound, Texas. He is the national and Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writer for Examiner.com and a columnist for the Bowling News Network.

INDUSTRY NEWS

BOWLING:

JUST DO IT! USBC focuses its attention on creating lifelong bowlers

By Mark Miller

t’s no secret the number of league bowlers has dropped every year for more than three decades. It’s also wellknown the many ways the United States Bowling Congress and its predecessors have attempted to change that.

Adding more awards, increasing youth scholarships, creating national promotions and asking people to join for the good of the sport have done nothing to stop the drop from nine million to two million registered league bowlers since 1980. So when USBC announced at its annual convention July 1 it was changing focus from promoting bowling as a sport to a lifetime activity, people had every right to be skeptical.

But USBC leaders like Executive Director Stu Upson and new President Jim Sturm say this time will be different. They believe USBC has done a better job of doing its homework to learn what will entice today’s consumer to join USBC and to create programs and services to meet current needs. “We learned it is not possible to create products that appeal to everyone,” Upson said. “We have to offer a broad amount of products and services.

For example, Apple has the iPod but has several different versions. That’s why we have to have a variety of things. We have been too rigid with our offerings. Yes, certified averages and awards are important to some people but not everyone.”

USBC spent its first six-and-a-half years taking its national governing body status serious enough that its mission focused on ensuring the integrity and protecting the future of the sport.

Its vision sought to grow the sport of bowling through more people recognizing bowling as a sport and more people participating in bowling as a sport.

Many people thought this was a good direction because it brought USBC back to the original intent of its American Bowling Congress roots to standardize the rules of bowling amid the chaos of conflicting ideas. Only later did ABC, and after it

I

28

IBI

November 2011

USBC Executive Director Stu Upson

the Women’s International Bowling Congress and Young American Bowling Alliance, begin thinking about members to fund those principles.

“ABC, WIBC and YABA were membership organizations supporting USA Bowling (the then-United States Olympic Committee-recognized National Governing body or NGB),” said former USBC President Darlene Baker July 1 at the USBC Convention. “USBC has both responsibilities as an NGB and membership organization which has caused some confusion. The last few years there’s been a lot of attention on the NGB and it’s led to the perception we don’t care about the average member.” “I agree with that,” Upson said a month later. “I’ve been here two years and consider myself an average member and think that perception has been true.”

So to help change that perception and help grow membership and revenue, USBC decided to move the needle to the middle of the NGB/membership pendulum. After losing more than $6.2 million in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and having to cut staff and programs to return to fiscal solvency in 2010-11, USBC knew it had to do something different. The decision to do so began last year when the USBC Strategic Planning Committee looked again at what the organization should be when it grows up. “It was quite simple,” Upson said. “What we’d been doing for the past 20 years hadn’t been working. Certainly we’re an NGB. That is what we are about. But we need members to help fund what we do and to get more people involved in bowling.”

One of the first things the committee did was to create new mission and vision statements. While approved by the board and announced to the USBC staff long before, they weren’t officially revealed to the public until the Convention. The new mission is to provide benefits, resources and programs to enhance the bowling experience. The new vision is to create

INDUSTRY NEWS in the first four months of the 2011-12 season.

USBC leaders will then analyze the results and form a plan to present at the 2012 USBC Convention in April. The goal is for a limited rollout of the new package in 2012-13 followed by national rollout in 2013-14 with the hope of no membership loss that season.

The courtyard of the USBC building

lifelong bowlers.

Once USBC learned peoples’ thoughts, it began testing some new concepts in the 2010-11 season. These included different products and upgrades and delivery methods. Among the products was a member welcome gift. Also tested was a blanket league certification where all bowlers in a center become members. Plus, short season, fun leagues and casual memberships were tried.

The question remained - will members pay more for better benefits? “It’s not so much continuing with things they have to buy but giving them something they want to buy,” Upson said. “The key element is frequent, casual bowlers. What is it that will entice them to join USBC? It may not be awards. It may not even be a certified average.”

And it may not even be traditional bowling related products and services, Sturm said.

“For some people it’s not about league prize money but about reward points,” Sturm said. “Others may want discounts on bowling balls or discounts on food and beverages. It’s all about what it will take to get them into USBC.” New on the delivery side is league secretary software that would have memberships sent directly from the league secretary to USBC. Currently, bowlers fill out membership information on their first league night, give it to their league secretary who sends it to the local association which processes the applications and sends it on to USBC headquarters in Arlington, Texas. The new model identifies two stakeholders – field ambassadors who care about and will help promote bowling and bowling center owners and staff who deal daily with their customers.

What about the 3,000 local and state USBC associations? “As I said at the Convention, this is not in any way a program to put associations out of business,” Upson said. “Will it change their roles? Yes. And we’ll need feedback from all of our constituents, association volunteers, proprietors and bowlers.” “We will refocus the purpose of the local and state associations,” Baker said. “They will be more than processing centers. Everyone’s time is valuable and we want to help the proprietors.”

About 12-15 markets of varying sizes and locations are testing the new ideas 30

IBI

November 2011

While some new programs are in the testing phase, two aimed at youth already are underway. One is teaching parents and other volunteers basic coaching skills. Free instructional classes for USBC associations and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America-member centers feature curriculum aimed strictly at teaching youth how to bowl. “Our belief and vision is that we can grow the sport simply by teaching the game, and developing a volunteer coaching base is paramount in executing that vision,” said International Bowling Campus Director of Youth Development, Chad Murphy.

“With the help of Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and the USBC Coaching team, we have some of the best instructors in the nation onboard to lead these seminars. Now we need parents, association leaders and center managers to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Also available this season is the USBC Roll ‘N Grow membership for youth age 7 and under. For just $8, those young bowlers in regular or bumper leagues of any length can join and receive special awards and benefits.

Roll ‘N Grow memberships include a $1 processing fee and are in addition to USBC Youth Basic membership for $5 ($1 local processing) and Youth Standard for $17 ($2 local processing, 50 cents state fee). “We’re putting a lot of emphasis on youth,” Upson said. “The creation of the youth department on Campus proves that. “I know it’s a cliché but youth are our future. But we also want to do what we can for adults.” ❖

Mark Miller is a freelance writer from Flower Mound, Texas. He is the national and Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writer for Examiner.com and a columnist for the Bowling News Network.

FINANCE

APPRECIATING DEPRECIATION BUY YOUR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOW AND LET IRS CODE SECTION 179 LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD.

By Ken Paton

I

nternal Revenue Code Section 179 can provide a significant advantage to capital intensive businesses such as bowling.

While potentially generating a large impact on the current year’s liquidity, there are times when use of this optional code section can hurt a center’s financial position. Code Section 179 provides for a deduction of up to $500,000 of equipment purchased in one year. Normally, bowling equipment is depreciated over five years. In addition, there is bonus depreciation for equipment purchased that exceeds $500,000 in one year.

Although there are several factors that limit the deduction, for many centers there can be significant current year tax savings by using this code section.

Section 179 allows a deduction for the entire cost of most new or used tangible personal property purchased for use in a trade or business within one year. Bowling, kitchen, bar, and other equipment used in a bowling or family entertainment center are generally considered tangible personal property and are eligible under Section 179. Vehicles are not eligible. Some SUVs are possible (between 6,000 and 14,000 gross vehicle weight) but limited to $25,000. Building improvements are considered real property and are not eligible. The equipment must have been purchased (not contributed for equity or acquired by a gift or trade), but can be paid for in cash or financed.

Tax Savings: Although the option for Section 179 is available, there are times when it may not be appropriate to use. Compare three bowling centers that are each buying a new scoring system for $250,000: Center 1 is one of three owned by the same “C” corporation. The company has been consistently profitable,

reporting taxable income of $200,000 every year. Under Section 179 the company elects to expense the new scoring system and eliminates all of its taxable income and carries the resulting $50,000 “loss” back to the previous year. The tax savings are $47,750 in the current year and $17,000 recovered from the carry back of the “loss” to the previous year. By contrast, depreciating the equipment in the normal way would save about $19,500 per year for each of the following five years. In this case, using Section 179 generates a lower tax benefit of $32,750 ($97,500 over five years vs. $65,750 for a 179 write off) because of the lower tax rates for smaller taxable incomes. (15% for the first $50,000 of taxable income, 25% for the next $25,000, 34% for the next $25,000, and 39% for the next $229,000.) Since the company is in the 39% tax bracket for all income over $100,000, using five year depreciation means that the tax savings is all at 39%. By using Section 179 the tax savings is at the lower brackets as well. In this case, part of the savings is at the 15% bracket. Thus, there is a cost associated with the election. But, it has a significant positive impact on the current tax year.

Center 2 is a single center owned in an “S” corporation, which reports its income on the owners’ personal tax return. The center is owned by a married couple. She runs the center and he is a successful doctor who earns $300,000 taxable income per year. The couple elects to use Section 179 to expense the new scoring system and the deduction offsets the doctor’s income saving them $59,955 in federal income taxes for the year. Since the couple will be in a 33% tax bracket in each of the following five years, they would save $16,500 annually through normal depreciation. As a result, they would also have a larger overall tax savings through the use of depreciation ($82,500 vs. $59,955) since using Section 179 generates tax savings from lower tax brackets in the current year.

Center 3 is a single center owned in a “C” corporation and is modestly profitable, showing $50,000 of taxable income in the current year but $10,000 to $25,000 per year in the previous years.

The owners expect income to rise in each of the next few years as a result of the new scoring and a new marketing program. In addition, the company is well capitalized with good cash reserves.

Since a corporation pays a 15% tax rate on amounts under $50,000 and 25% between $50,000 and $75,000 the couple IBI

November 2011

31

FINANCE elects not to use Section 179 since it will provide $50,000 of depreciation in each of the following five years saving them more in taxes than they could recover from carrying the loss back to the previous years. The future tax savings will come from a high tax bracket in the future making depreciation more valuable than the one year deduction.

OTHER FACTORS: Since most bowling centers use tax accounting for their financial statements, the decision to use Section 179 can also have an impact on how your center is evaluated by a bank. Under Section 179 the entire amount of the equipment purchase is expensed as additional depreciation. This reduces the amount of your assets and reduces the shareholders equity section of your balance sheet. If you paid cash for the assets, this reduces your liquidity (cash) by the amount of the purchase.

Long term assets and depreciation increases by the amount of the purchase, which has no net effect on long term assets. However, retained earnings are decreased by the amount of the purchase. In the illustration above, retained earnings are decreased by $250,000. Assuming that you had $250,000 in retained earnings before the purchase, you now show no retained earnings. All of the bank’s ratios are now much worse than before. If the assets were financed, the problem is compounded because assets and shareholders’ equity go down while liabilities go up.

One ratio banks look at closely is the current ratio, the ratio of current assets and current liabilities. If the center had $350,000 in cash before the sale and $100,000 of liabilities (including the liability for league prize fund and the current portion of long term debt), the original ratio was 3.5.

Following the purchase, the ratio is 1.0. Most banks want to see a ratio of 1.2 or better. Another key ratio is the ratio of total liabilities to shareholders’

32

IBI

November 2011

equity. If the company had $350,000 in retained earnings before the purchase and $700,000 of total liabilities, the debt/equity ratio was 2.0. Following the purchase and the decline in retained earnings the ratio is now 7.0. Most banks want a debt/equity ratio of less than 3.0. This bookkeeping change could result in a decline at the next loan review.

In summary, Section 179 can be a powerful tool for improving the cash position of a bowling center through an immediate write-off of the entire cost of the purchased equipment. However, most businesses will have a greater tax savings by using a normal depreciation schedule. In addition, the center will likely maintain a stronger balance sheet with a normal depreciation schedule. The question for a proprietor is the impact of the tax savings in the current year vs. larger tax savings over time. Each situation will be different and should be reviewed with a competent tax advisor prior to making the decision. ❖

Ken Paton is a financial consultant to the bowling industry with more than 30 years experience working with small business. He practices in Portland, OR, and can be reached at 503-645-5630.

PROFILE

Doug Wagoner’s car racing roots bring a supercharged atmosphere to Fast Lanes.

By Lydia Rypcinski oopeston, IL., is probably as far away from life in the fast lanes as you can get.

The self-proclaimed “Sweet Corn Capital of the World” in east central Illinois is home to approximately 5,300 mostly white, mostly working-class people age 25 to 64. The average 2.42-person household makes $46,460 annually tilling the land, providing a service (medicine and education) or processing food.

But for 54-year-old Doug Wagoner, every day in Hoopeston is about life in the fast lanes. That’s because he owns “Fast Lanes” - Hoopeston’s only bowling center.

Although Wagoner is a life-long bowler, owning a racingthemed bowling center was the furthest thing from his mind just four years ago. He was a Hoopeston police officer, and he liked his job. But in June 2007, the local 10-lane bowling center (then called Pla-Mor Lanes) went bankrupt and closed. Bank officials knew Wagoner was an avid bowler. They asked him to help put the run-down center to rights so a new owner could re-open quickly. “They knew if the building stayed empty for a year, they would never get the bowlers back,” Wagoner said.

As the place started to look better, Wagoner’s bowling

H

The lanes, decked out in the race car theme.

friends began urging him to buy it. Otherwise, they’d have to continue driving to Danville or Cissna Park – both about a halfhour away – to bowl. Wagoner resisted at first. He didn’t want to assume the loan. Besides, he said, law enforcement agents aren’t allowed to work for or own businesses that have liquor licenses. And, he was busy with his avocation – racing dirt track cars, something he’d done since 1989. “I was on Jamie Wilson’s pit crew when he had a late-model dirt racing car,” Wagoner said. “We raced 60 nights a year all over the Midwest and Florida back then.” Wilson and Wagoner later went off on their own to build and race a modified dirt oval car (a cross between an open sprint car and a traditional stock car).

They won their share of races, and Wagoner enjoyed the time and work he devoted to the venture.

Doug Wagoner, proprietor of Fast Lanes in Hoopeston, IL.

IBI

November 2011

33

PROFILE

A closer view of the banners inspiring bowlers at Fast Lanes.

The ground shifted under Wagoner’s feet, though, when Hoopeston’s police officers decided to unionize in the summer of ’07. “I’d had a bad union experience in the past and didn’t want to do that again,” said the 23-year police veteran. Instead, he started thinking about what he might do with that empty bowling center. Wagoner purchased the center in July 2007. He opened it for business Aug. 1 – the same day he retired from the force.

Wilson’s oldest daughter came up with the “Fast Lanes” name. The artistdaughter of an employee took Wagoner’s ideas and created a theme graphic for

34

IBI

November 2011

the center -- Wilson’s late model car on a bowling lane, kicking out bowling pins behind it instead of dust. But Wagoner knew from the start his business couldn’t survive on bowling alone. The previous owner hadn’t reinvested in it, and a lot of bowlers had drifted away.

“I thought a restaurant would make up what the bowling wouldn’t, and would bring in people who would eat but not bowl,” he said. “If they saw the bowling, they might eventually get in a league.”

Wagoner plowed $45,000 into building a kitchen and a 110-seat restaurant called “The Pit Stop.” It’s supplemented with a banquet area that seats another 60. He estimates that 70 percent of his revenue now comes from his food-and-beverage operation. “This town doesn’t have another restaurant like this,” Wagoner said. “We serve ribeye steaks and hand-battered chicken breasts. My mother and another girl make everything from scratch, including the potato, macaroni and pea salads.”

Among the racing-themed menu items: the “Jackman,” a 6-oz. burger with bacon and cheese. And the “Speedway,” a double burger on a triple-decker bun served up with cole slaw and Thousand Island dressing. The killer, though, is the “Oil Spill” dessert.

“It’s four brownies with ice cream and Cool Whip on top, chocolate sauce dripping down everything, and a cherry

PROFILE The Pit Stop Restaurant serves unique burgers, steaks and desserts, and all are hand-prepared in the newly renovated kitchen.

festooned with NASCAR banners, drivers’ flags, and flags from all the tracks he and Wilson have visited – Vegas, Talladega, Joliet, Dayton and more. Photos Wagoner has taken of NASCAR and local dirt track drivers are displayed in the meeting room frequented by church and community groups.

Wagoner has christened an entire wall at the center’s entrance as the “Winner’s Circle.” It features pictures of Hoopeston’s annual King and Queen of the Hill tournament champs and yearly high-average bowlers. The “Circle” also includes photos and bios of the 30 or so inductees of the local bowling Hall of Fame. “If not for these people, and their dedication and achievements, we could not have a bowling alley here,” he said. “I wanted to honor them for that.”

Fortunately for Wagoner, Hoopeston is full of people who also like auto racing.

The center’s TV usually has some kind of auto race on for customers to watch.

NASCAR leagues, along with the restaurant, are starting to entice people back to bowling. Wagoner even gifted his employees two Christmases ago with a trip to the Kamp Motor Speedway in nearby Boswell, Ind. However, he didn’t join them in the VIP suite he reserved for them. “I was down in the pits working on the race car,” The Winners Circle includes photos and bios of the 30 or so inductees of the local bowling Hall of Fame Wagoner chuckled. “We won the as well as winners of local tournaments. feature race that night. We still race, but we’ve really scaled back. The time [required] and the race on top,” Wagoner said. tracks are not here like they used to be.”

The racing theme extends from the checkered tablecloths The ex-cop has no illusions about what it will take for Fast in the restaurant throughout the center. Wagoner ripped up Lanes to succeed. Hoopeston suffered a body blow with the the old concourse carpeting and replaced it with black-and1993 passage of NAFTA. Two large employers, Schumacher and white checkered tile. The walls alongside lanes 1 and 10 are

IBI

November 2011

35

PROFILE Wagoner added the black and white checkered floor in the bowling concourse area to extend the race car theme of the center.

FMC, closed local operations and sent the work overseas. Many factory workers bowled, and they left to look for work elsewhere. Those who remained don’t have the means to bowl three or four nights a week as they once did.

Yet Wagoner has been able to add a bowler here and a team there in the last four years. He’s especially proud that his Thursday night men’s handicap now has a waiting list of teams wanting to join. He’d like to create enough new league bowlers in the next five years to put in new lanes and pinsetters.

The key, he said, is to never stop trying to find a hook to bring in a potential bowler. “Bowling can’t be the only thing you offer; you have to give [people] variety,” Wagoner said. “You’ve got to get them in the door so they can bring in some revenue.”

He took a chance on and had great success with an Illinois State BPA summer bowling promotion called “Strikes, Spares and Speed.” ISBPA members could organize NASCAR leagues around ticket packages for a day of racing and tailgating at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. Wagoner sold 85

packages at $60 apiece within a few days of making them available at his center. “If I give them a chance to come in here and buy a NASCAR ticket, they may see what we’ve got, sit down to eat, and then maybe come back to bowl,” Wagoner said.

“But you’ve got to believe in what you’re doing. If you do, then you’ll do whatever it takes to help your business.” Because even at Fast Lanes, sometimes slow and steady wins the race. ❖ A frequent contributor to IBI, Lydia Rypcinski has been writing for and about bowling for more than 30 years. She has won writing and photography awards in and outside the sport for her coverage, which has taken her to six continents and more than 20 countries. She co-authored Revolutions: The Changing Game with Chip Zielke in 1998 and Sports Traveler Chicago with Anbritt Stengele in 2009.

DATEBOOK

NOVEMBER 9-10 BCA of Ohio Seminars & Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus, OH Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363 6-11 Bowling University School For Bowling Center Management International Bowling Campus Arlington TX Email: education@bpaa.com; 800-343-1329 www.BowlingUniversity.net 14-15 Illinois State BPA Fall Annual Meeting 36

IBI

November 2011

Hotel Arista-Citygate Centre Naperville, IL Bill Duff billduff@bowlillinois.com 30-12/7 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Northcliff Bowling Centre Anne-Marie Board amboard@qubicaamf.com www.qubicaamf.com

JANUARY 2012 22-26 BOWLING SUMMIT The Meritage, Napa valley CA www.bpaa.com/summit

FEBRUARY 24 Mayor’s Celebrity Bowling Challenge to Strike Out Hunger Baton Rouge River Center U.S. Open Championship Lanes Marc Pater, 225-603-5914 paterm@bellsouth.net

JUNE 24-29 BOW EXPO 2012 Silver Legacy, Circus Circus & Eldorado Reno, NV Trade Show: Reno Sparks Convention Ctr. www.bowlexpo.com

SHOWCASE BOXING MACHINE

MYSTREY SHOP

HOUSE BALLS

DISPOSABLE SHOE PADS

RENTAL SHOES

UNIQUE DRINK DISPENSER

QUALITY SOCKS

LIGHTING

Have you been thinking about adding a boxing machine to your center? Kalkomat offers the highest quality manufacturing of any boxing machine on the market. These machines are the perfect addition to a bar or game room with high ROI. With minimal maintenance, they stay trouble free. For more information visit www.kalkomat.com or call 619-261-6979.

Ebonite’s Super Solar line of glowing house balls gives you the best value for your dollar. Thanks to their rugged urethane construction, Super Solar house balls can stand up to most anything your customers can throw at them. Super Solars come with a two-year warranty (from date of purchase) against breakage on all weights from 6-16 pounds. Super Solars come with or without standard drillings, engraved or not. Visit www.ebonitebowlingcenterdirect.com to order.

If only everything returned its investment as fast and as many times over as Brunswick Premium Rental Shoes. Featuring genuine full-grain leather uppers, a leather sole with channel stitching, foam-padded sock liners and rubber heels, these shoes are built to last game after game and come with a one year warranty. Contact 1-800-YES-BOWL, options 1, 1, for more information or to place an order.

American Athlete Store has been a leading seller and manufacturer of athletic socks since 1970 with almost 500 million socks sold. All socks are guaranteed for 50 washings and with an emphasis on product quality, comfort, and value, your customers will thank you for providing them with a sock that feels good and won’t slide down on their foot! All products are made in the USA. Please call (336) 824-1065 or visit www.americanathletestore.com for more information.

Exclusive mystery shopping partner to the attractions industry since 1996, Amusement Advantage offers programs for bowling centers of any size or location. Learn what your guests are experiencing through comprehensive evaluations of your operation. We create a custom program for each center. Shops are conducted by professional shoppers who represent your actual target market and submitted within 48-72 hours. Visit us at IAAPA booth #4510 for a free sample shop or contact us at 800-362-9946 or www.amusementadvantage.com.

Centers now have a new extra income option for their casual bowling customers who dislike wearing rental shoes. The BowlSole is the world's only disposable bowling shoe pad designed to be worn on your own shoes. BowlSoles leave no sticky residue and are designed to fit everyone. On average, center owners earn between $500-$900 additional revenue per month by adding BowlSoles to your rental shoe offering. See increasing your income video at www.bowlsole.com.

Now available to bowling centers, the HOPR has a unique stainless steel chill rod, which holds a propriety solution, and is kept frozen until needed. Then simply drop it into the middle of up to 96 ounces of beverage! The direct chilling insures beer, mixed drinks, etc. are chilled at an optimum temperature for 2 full hours! It’s hard to know who like the HOPR more……the business owner or the customer! For more information contact Dan Coyle at sales@jenlisinc.com or 651-564-1030.

Industrial Lighting & Sound is the name for everything in lighting. Do you need a complete lighting and audio system? Want a totally automated system, a system overhaul, or a turnkey package? Looking for replacement parts like LEDs? For affordable, reliable, quality lighting and sound, call 800-875-9006 or visit www.industriallightingandsound.com.

IBI

November 2011

37

CLASSIFIEDS

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751.

FOR SALE: (3) AMF-312 chairs; (8 sets) ball racks and hoods. Best Offer. Call AC or Franny @ (845) 794-5561.

FOR SALE: 40+ 82-70s .

Hippensteelcd@aol.com

USED BRUNSWICK PARTS, A2 parts and assemblies. Large Inventory. www.usedpinsetterparts.com.

NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment.

Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-2556436 or jayhawkbowling.com.

Pinsetter Parts New from ALL major manufacturers. HUGE IN STOCK inventory.

USED Brunswick Scoring parts, AS90 cameras, processors, lane cables, monitors, and PC boards. Order online @ 888SBIBOWL.com or (888) 724-2695.

The Mechanics Choice!

AMF XL & BOSS scoring for small and large centers with LCD monitors. (712) 253-8730 .

AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC board repair/exchange. 6-month warranty, fast turnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service 5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054 Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695) Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon) E-mail: wb8yjf@earthlink.net Visit us on the WEB! http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/

WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM 38

IBI

November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Phone (608) 764-1464.

USED WOOD BOWLING LANE BEDS. WILL REMOVE! MIDWEST LOCATION PREFERABLE. (74) 1914 OR baxterlee@embargmail.com.

CENTERS FOR SALE

UPSTATE NEW YORK: 8-lane center/ commercial building built in 1992.

Synthetic lanes, new automatic scoring, kitchen and room to expand! Reduced to sell @ $375,000. Call (315) 376-3611.

CENTERS FOR SALE 16-lane center in Southern Colorado mountains. Great condition. 18,000 s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge.

Paved parking 100 + vehicles.

Established leagues & tournaments. $950,000 or make offer.

Kipp (719) 852-0155.

CENTERS FOR SALE NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor & Bowling.

Established 8 lanes between Mpls & Duluth w/ large bar, dining room, banquet area. Two large State employment facilities nearby. High six figure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089. www.majesticpine.com.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN: 12 lanes, auto scoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Great food sales. Yearly tournament. Attached, large 3 bedroom apartment w/ fireplace. $550K. (715) 223-8230.

SOUTHERN INDIANA (close to Indianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick center with lounge, liquor license & movie theater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business.

Owner retiring. Great investment!

(765) 349-1312.

NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s, Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game & pool rooms.

See pics and info @ www.visitcolby.com or contact Charles (785) 443-3477.

NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Island region. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmic bowling, auto scoring. Established leagues + many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill @ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302.

SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained 8-lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant.

Includes business and real estate. Nice, smaller community. Owner retiring. $212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.

GEORGIA: busy 32-lane center, real estate included. Great location in one of fastest growing counties in metro Atlanta.

5 years new with all the amenities.

Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN: 12-lane Brunswick A-2s, Vector Plus FrameworX scoring, kitchen, & pro shop. PRICED TO SELL. Call Bruce (715) 614-7779.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One of the top five places to move! Remodeled 32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1m gets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828) 253-0362.

IBI

November 2011

39

CLASSIFIEDS MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Immediate Installation. $5,900.00 & up.

"Bowling Center Construction Specialists" New Center Construction Family Entertainment Centers Residential Bowling Lanes Modernization Mini Bowling Lanes Automatic Scoring CONTACT

BRIAN ESTES

(866) 961-7633 Office: (734) 469-4293

Toll Free:

Email: build@capitalbowlingservice.com

www.CapitalBowlingService.com

SERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL

AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • Frameworx NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS

Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849

291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940 on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com

40

IBI

November 2011

2021 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com

CLASSIFIEDS

For FLORIDA CENTERS Call DAVID DRISCOLL & ASSOCIATES 1-800-444-BOWL P.O. Box 189 Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737 AN AFFILIATE OF SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES

MARSHALL ELECTRONICS • Foul Units • Electronic Scoring Repair • Chassis Boards • AMF Accuscore Plus • Curtain Wall Chassis - $285 • Brunswick Scoring We repair all types of monitor boards.

Call for a complete price list.

593 Loxley Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753

732-240-6554 • 800-782-9494

www.merepair.webs.com

IBI

November 2011

41

CLASSIFIEDS

42

IBI

November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS

WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM

LOCKER KEYS FAST! •Keys & Combo Locks for all Types of Lockers.

•One week turnaround on most orders.

•New locks All types •Used locks 1/2 price of new

All keys done by code #.

No keys necessary.

E-mail: huff@inreach.com FAX YOUR ORDER TO US AT:

530-432-2933

CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEY INT’L 530-432-1027 Orange County Security Consultants

IBI

November 2011

43

CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE

CENTERS FOR SALE

CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane center and restaurant in central Idaho mountains.

Small town. Only center within 60-mile radius. Brunswick A-2 machines; Anvilane lane beds; automatic scoring.

(208) 879-4448.

NORTHWEST LOUISIANA: 12-LANE Brunswick center. REDUCED TO SELL NOW! Includes auto scoring, glow bowling, pizza, large dining area & video poker. Good income. Long Lease. Great opportunity. Call Mike (318) 578-0772.

NW INDIANA (Lake Michigan/National Lake Shore area): DRASTICALLY REDUCED— PRICED TO SELL! 32-lane center, family owned & operated since 1997 on 6.6 acres.

Also billiards, arcade, pro shop, full-service restaurant, established leagues & MORE! $2,300,000. (219) 921-4999.

CENTRAL ALABAMA: Recently remodeled, split house w/24 synthetic lanes (16 & 8) in 28,000 s/f building in shopping center; Brunswick A2s & 2000 seating; AccuScore Plus; VIA returns & storage tables; systems for Cosmic; established leagues; snack bar, pro shop & game/pool table area. Nearest competition 28 miles w/ colleges & Honda factory within minutes. Need to sell due to health. Reasonably priced. (435) 705-0420.

NE NEVADA: New 2001. 16 lanes, 19,200 square feet, 1.68 acres paved, sound & lighting, lounge w/ gaming, arcade, full service snack bar & pro shop. Call (775) 934-1539.

EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-lane Brunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thru liquor store in small college town. Also, 3 apartment buildings with 40 units, good rental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or (701) 430-1490.

SELL YOUR CENTER

(818) 789-2695

PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70 S.S. & M.P. MACHINES Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. Board Exchange & Repair!

A reasonable alternative for Chassis and P.C. Board Exchanges MIKE BARRETT Call for Price List

Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576

WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM

44

IBI

November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!!

8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full service restaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables, karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net.

IDAHO, Rigby: 8-lane center with Brunswick A-2 machines; refinished wooden lanes; $85,000 for all assets; seller lease back property.

(208) 535-9905. www.arthurberry.com.

SOUTHERN NEVADA: Excellent opportunity for qualified person! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, Twelve Strike scoring. $60,000 for business and equipment only. Long term lease available. Building being remodeled. Call Steve (702) 293-6072; cell (702) 414-5321; email: ljjaa1414@yahoo.com.

WEST TENNESSEE: Nice 24-lane center.

Hippensteelcd@aol.com

MANAGER WANTED Don't miss your chance to grow with an Industry Leader! Looking for Experienced, Service-Oriented General Managers for our U.S. bowling retail center locations. Please check us out at www.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.com for more details on our current openings.

Act Now! Apply Today!

BUY

FOR LEASE PRO SHOP: National Lake Shore area of NW Indiana. Call (219) 921-4999.

AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY

SEL L

Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767

Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - bpitx@texasonline.net

www.bowlingpartsandequipment.com

SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com.

See a list that will help centers fill lanes w/ 1200+ New Bowlers, Birthday Parties & Corporate Outings that generate $15,800 – a 600% ROI from 4 payments starting at $278. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call (888) 243-0685.

AMF 65-25 CHASSIS: Conversion, Repair, Replace & exchange. Includes rewiring, requested repairs, conversion to MK 30 board system and converting chassis to new PR system where applicable. TOTAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! References available.

CHASSIS DOCTORS (330) 314-8951.

We could not have gotten our loan without him.

Max Cook and Fred Kaplowitz North Bowl Spokane, WA The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments

Ken Paton (503) 645-5630 www.kenpaton.com kpaton@kenpaton.com

WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM IBI

November 2011

45

REMEMBER WHEN

1960 A

nother in our series of “Everybody Bowls” mysteries: Who was Robert M. Cushing?

Better yet, what was the first name of Mrs. Robert M. Cushing? A board member of the House Research and Treatment Center, which seems to have been an important medical institute in Irvington, NY, and an alumna of Barnard, our Mrs. Cushing is important enough in her own 46

IBI

November 2010

right to be selected to represent bowling. Yet she’ll have to wait a few more decades for Ms. and given names to come to the fore.

In the August 1960 issue of Holiday, she is stylishly outfitted to match the masking.

Mrs. Cushing may or may not have been one of 1.9 million enrolled in WIBC that year, ’59-’60 (ABC had 4 million members), but the unidentified AMF emporium where she was so ecstatic was definitely one of 9,467 bowling establishments certified by ABC/WIBC. BPAA had 4,752 member centers. ❖