TRUCK STOP BOWLING CENTER OPENS IN COLUMBIA, S.C.

In an industry first, Brunswick is bringing bowling to a new setting. Much more than a typical truck stop, the new Petro Stopping Center in Columbia, S.C., features Beltline Lanes and Gaming, with 16 Brunswick bowling lanes and a wide variety of amenities for professional truck drivers, travelers, college students and area residents alike.

“A few years ago, our executive group met to discuss what entertainment offerings would resonate with our core guests while attracting new customers, and how we wanted to differentiate our travel centers in the future,” said John Ponczoch, Senior Vice President of Food Operations for TravelCenters of America. “We wanted to provide drivers with options for entertainment with us during their downtime. We looked at a number of options and decided bowling would be a great fit.”

This Brunswick-equipped bowling center is not something you’d expect to find at a truck stop.

Ponczoch said he talked with bowling equipment suppliers and visited several bowling centers as part of his research process before ultimately deciding on Brunswick to equip the center.

The travel center will run Brunswick’s Sync scoring and management system. “Sync will integrate with other systems we’re going to be using, allowing us to easily create marketing, advertising, and clear direction to our guests for the multiple options in this center,” said Ponczoch.

“We’re always trying to do something a little out of the ordinary at our centers,” he added. “Beltline Lanes and Gaming will provide open play and league bowling, Cosmic Bowling, parties, and a pro bowling manager who is available to help anyone improve their game. The facility also features a Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant, Starbucks, and 80-plus games for kids and adults. We’ll host outdoor events including live music, car shows, bike rallies and more.”

The center opened for business, on schedule, yesterday, as was reported by local CBS affiliate, WLTX: http://www.wltx.com/features/quaker-steak-lube-bowling-alley-finally-open/422630399.

For more on the travel center, see this post from Truckers News: http://www.truckersnews.com/new-sc-petro-truck-stop-features-bowling-alley/.

Beltline Lanes is in the process of organizing leagues for college students and area residents, and is taking party reservations.