Cyber Report #1,011

E-dition No. 1,011 • Friday, July 13, 2018

Editor: Bob Johnson (bjibob@aol.com)

Bowlers Work to Save Centers in Hawaii and California

Grassroots efforts to save two long-established bowling centers — one in the Honolulu County community of Kailua and one in Fremont, Calif. — are demonstrating that bowlers are passionate about their sport and the places they play it.

In Hawaii, Pali Lanes was scheduled to close at the end of next January as the owner of the property, Alexander & Baldwin, planned to demolish it and build a “gathering place” that could host farmers markets, community concerts and other events.

But the bowlers of Pali Lanes, led by 17-year-old Christian Arakawa, mounted a petition effort to save the center, noting that it already provides an important “gathering place” for the community. Using primarily social media, approximately 6,000 signatures have been gathered to date.

Arakawa, who serves as the President of the Pail Youth Bowlers group, said more than 150 people attended a recent Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting to speak out against the developer’s plans and speak up for saving Pail Lanes, which opened on May 20, 1961.

The developers are listening, at least for now. There no longer is a specific target date for demolition of the center, and the company is taking a step back to review its options.

“We need to continue to do more engagement in the community and we’re committed to doing that before we continue with future plans,” Darren Pai, a spokesman for Alexander & Baldwin, told Honolulu Magazine. “This is a long-term investment in the community. For us, it’s about building relationships that are going to last a long time.”

Meanwhile, another battle to save a bowling center is gaining steam in the Northern California community of Fremont. Cloverleaf Family Bowl — once owned by a BPAA past president, Don Hillman, and today co-owned by Hillman’s nephew, Mike, and the 2016 BPAA Proprietor of the Year, Jim Chambers — is in danger of being demolished.

The owner of the property on which Cloverleaf sits had planned to demolish the center and other buildings long filled with retail businesses in order to construct high-density housing. When we visited the center in April of 2016 to interview Chambers for BCM’s Proprietor of the Year cover story, most of the retail space was vacant.

The property owner wanted Cloverleaf Family Bowl vacated as well, and made what Chambers called a very generous offer to buy him and Hillman out of their lease.

“It was enough to set us up very nicely for the rest of our lives,” Chambers said in the June 2016 issue of BCM. “But I couldn’t do it — I wouldn’t do it. It would mean turning our backs on all these people.”

Chambers pointed to the men and women, a mix of open play and league bowlers, men and women, seniors and younger adults, who had filled all but a few of the center’s 44 lanes — on a Tuesday morning.

“This center would not be successful without them,” Chambers stressed. “We would not be able to take nice vacations without them. We owe them. Besides, how much money do you really need?”

So Chambers and Hillman continued to reject the offer of the building’s landlord. Their plan was to keep operating until the lease runs out, and then see what happens. It’s a stance that could cost them a lot of money — Chambers prefers that the exact amount not be divulged — but it’s a stance they intended to maintain.

“My landlord hates me,” Chambers added with a smile.

Now, according to BayArea.com, the landlord says he is selling the shopping center that includes Cloverleaf Family Bowl to developers who have similar plans: to build housing.

But Chambers and Hillman have not changed their stance. With about five years remaining on their lease, they say they aren’t going anywhere. And now, the center’s patrons have gotten involved, gathering more than 16,000 signatures on a petition that they hope will convince city leaders that the long-time community gathering place is more important than one more housing development.

Also under way is an effort to gain historic landmark status for the building, which would make it virtually impossible for it to be demolished.

Such status also would make it virtually impossible for Chambers and Hillman to sell the center in the future. But they’re already at peace with turning down a big payday, believing that what Cloverleaf Family Bowl contributes to the community is more important that money.

“We’re not giving up,” Hillman said. “We’re here as long as we can be. I hope we don’t have to chain ourselves to the building.”

If you’d like to help the local bowlers save their centers, here are links to the Pali Lanes and Cloverleaf Family Bowl petitions:

* Pali Lanes — https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-pali-lanes

* Cloverleaf Family Bowl — https://www.change.org/p/save-cloverleaf-family-bowl

New Title for MacBrayne at Performance Entertainment

Don MacBrayne has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of Performance Entertainment, LLC, effective immediately.

In his twin roles, MacBrayne will have responsibility for the company’s operating units and share in the day-to-day responsibilities of PE. He will continue to report to Dennis Schavietello, the company’s Chief Executive Officer. MacBrayne is a founding partner and, since 2013, has served as COO.

Performance Entertainment operates bowling-anchored family entertainment centers, including two in Colorado and a third location opening later this year under the “The Summit” brand.

MacBrayne — along with business partners Gary Upperman (Senior Vice President), Tracy Woodward (Chief Financial Officer) and Schavietello — are owners of the three locations along with private investors. PE is in a growth mode and is currently looking at several opportunities in the market. It also has expanded into the industry with consulting services.

Prior to co-founding PE, MacBrayne had more than 35 years of management experience with Brunswick Corporation’s Retail Bowling Division, retiring in 2013 as Vice President of Operations and overseeing the Brunswick Zone XL brand.

“Don is one of the great operators in the hospitality industry,” said Schavietello. “He has proven to be a successful and trusted leader, and brings to the President’s position a strong reputation for developing people and inspiring teams. His wealth of experience across our industry is a valuable asset as we accelerate our growth plan.”

Said MacBrayne: “I am excited and honored to take on this new role while continuing the partnership with Dennis, Gary and Tracy, and in combination with our talented leadership team to deliver our objectives and help accelerate our growth.”

Want to Speak at 2019 Bowl Expo? It’s Time to Apply

BPAA’s 2018 International Bowl Expo has been in the rearview mirror for only a few weeks, but planning already is under way for the 2019 Expo, which will return to the Paris Las Vegas Casino Resort and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Included in the planning is a call for speakers who are interested in presenting. That process already is under way, and you can learn more here: http://bpaa.com/bowlexpo/general-info/2019-call-for-speakers.

Submissions from prospective speakers must be received by Sept. 30.

Junior Gold Is Ready to Roll in Dallas Area

After months of anticipation among America’s top youth bowlers, the wait is over.

The 2018 Junior Gold Championships Presented by the Brands of Ebonite International kicks off in Dallas on Saturday with registration and a trade show at Fair Park.

The tournament features youth bowlers seeking national titles in 20-and-under, 15-and-under and 12-and-under divisions for both boys and girls — a total of six divisions. Spots on Junior Team USA and part of a tournament record $350,000 scholarship fund also will be up for grabs.

The city of Dallas and the Dallas Sports Commission are hosts for this year’s Junior Gold Championships, which will have a record field of approximately 3,900 bowlers for its 21st edition.

The opening ceremony will be at American Airlines Center on Sunday, with Light Balance, the light-up dance team that was a 2017 finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” headlining the event.

The festivities will start at 3 p.m. Central with Ebonite International Game Day at Victory Plaza, located outside the American Airlines Center, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for the opening ceremony. The event is not open to the public.

The first of four days of qualifying gets underway Monday at eight bowling centers in the Dallas area: AMF DeSoto, AMF Garland, AMF Richardson, AMF Sparetime in Arlington, Brunswick Westcreek and Cityview Lanes in Fort Worth, Forum Bowling Lanes in Grand Prairie, and USA Bowl in Dallas.

All stepladder finals will be held at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington on Saturday, July 21, and will be taped for broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The U12 finals will air July 24, the U15 finals will be televised July 31 and the U20 finals will air Aug. 7, with all shows starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

BowlTV will provide livestream coverage, starting with a live show on Saturday from the trade show at Fair Park and live coverage from the opening ceremony at American Airlines Center. BowlTV also will livestream the advancers round in each division until the finalists for television are determined.

In addition to the Junior Gold Championships, two additional major youth tournaments will take place in the Dallas area.

The USA Bowling National Championships Presented by Sixlets features 30 teams that qualified through regional competitions. AMF Garland and USA Bowl are hosting. The Bowling.com Youth Open Championships, a non-qualifying national event, will take place at Cityview Lanes.

As a prelude to Junior Gold, Turbo Tech conducted its 2018 Collegiate Expo for High School Bowlers earlier this week at Cityview Lanes.

Finalists Selected for Bowlero’s Shoe Design Contest

Bowlero Corporation (formerly Bowlmor AMF) has announced the selection of five finalists for its #BeBowled: Shoe Design Challenge. These designers and bowling fanatics are now in the running for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a cash prize and have his/her shoe design professionally manufactured and distributed to Bowlero and Bowlmor Lanes locations nationwide.

This past spring, Bowlero Corp. invited designers from around the country to put their creative talents to the test. The company received hundreds of online submissions, with designs ranging from whimsical patterns and colors to graffiti art. From those entries, Bowlero narrowed it down to five designs that will advance to the competition’s final round.

On Aug. 7, the five finalists will be flown to New York City and see their designs come to life during an exclusive VIP fashion show on the lanes at Bowlero Corp’s flagship location, Bowlmor Times Square.

One grand-prize winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500 and see his/her shoe professionally designed, produced and ultimately worn by millions at Bowlero and Bowlmor locations nationwide, with the new shoes rolling out in 2019.

In addition, Bowlero Corp. will include the five finalists’ shoe designs in its free BowlMojis app, an emoji sticker pack available for iOS. Guests who download the app will receive one free gtame of bowling for up to four people at their local Bowlero Corp. bowling center on National Bowling Day, Saturday, Aug. 11.

The five finalists are:

* Kelly Duggan, 22, New Berlin, Wis. — Duggan grew up with a passion for fashion and design, and a father who had a passion for bowling. She graduated from Carroll University with a degree in Graphic Communications and found out about the contest from an article that her father, an avid bowler, saw in his local newspaper. Her design, Modern Geo, displays a unique geometric pattern across a black background, accented with touches of blue. Her all-time high score in bowling is 150.

* Lisa Ng, 44, Seattle, Wash. — A Seattle native, Ng spent much of her childhood drawing before studying graphic design at Carnegie Melon University. She describes her design, Street Style, as a combination of clean, minimal and fun illustrations. Her inspiration is strongly influenced by her four children and their love of fresh and entertaining designs.

* Meghan LeBlanc, 25, Northbridge, Mass. — LeBlanc is an active bowler (high score: 171) and graphic designer who developed a passion for design and the Pop Art movement while in high school. She has competed in numerous leagues over the years and was searching for a summer bowling league when she discovered a link to the competition just two days before the contest deadline. A country music fan, LeBlanc’s design, Neon Lights 2, was inspired by her love of camouflage.

* Sam Riley, 21, New York, N.Y. — A New Hampshire native, Riley is currently a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, studying accessory design with a focus in footwear and handbags. His shoe design, Illusion Shoe, embraces Bowlero’s retro-modern style and incorporates different designs on each shoe that complement one another.

* Tim Ganter, 31, Freehold, N.J. — Ganter rolled his first strike at age eight and has had a lifelong passion for bowling since (high score: 200), competing in middle-school bowling leagues. He’s equally passionate about design, especially footwear, and notes an admiration for the work of designer Tinker Hatfield, the man behind the Air Jordan III. Ganter received his Masters’ Degree in industrial design from Philadelphia University in 2015, and chose to incorporate all of the colors from Bowlero’s palette into his design, The FADE, in an effort to demonstrate the inclusive nature of bowling — a sport that can be played by anyone.

To learn more about the five finalists, their designs, and Bowlero’s #BeBowled Shoe Design Challenge, visit www.bowlerocorp.com/designourshoes.

Business Briefs…

* Plans call for the some of the space that has been occupied by a Sears store at the Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, Fla., to be taken over by Game Time, an entertainment venue that includes bowling, an arcade and a restaurant. Also in the works for the space: as many as eight restaurants and eight retail shops, a fitness center and office space. More: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-sears-westfield-broward-mall-20180709-story.html.

* The USBC Senior Masters and the Super Senior Classic will extend their runs at Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas for the next three years. Sam’s Town has been the host center of the events since 2016. In 2019, the Super Senior Classic once again will kick off the action, starting May 29, with the Senior Masters set for June 2-9.

Other News You Can Use…

* The 2018 United States Bowling Congress open Championships has concluded its 107-day run in Syracuse, N.Y. Meet the champs: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/2018-open-championships-concludes-in-syracuse/.

* The PBA50 Tour started the 2018 season in the East, then ventured out West, and now heads down the homestretch in the Midwest, beginning with the PBA50 River City Extreme Open Presented by Ebonite at River City Extreme July 17-20 in Monticello, Minn. Preview: https://pba.com/articles/PBA50-Tour-Resumes-with-PBA50-River-City-Extreme-Open-July-17-20-in-Monticello-Minn.

* En route to a gig in the San Francisco Bay Area, Billy Bob Thornton and his crew of 10 stopped in at the new Aqua Entertainment Center in Los Banos, Calif. Thornton’s wife reportedly is an avid bowler and often finds bowling centers for the group to visit and unwind. Report: https://www.mercedsunstar.com/sports/article214728855.html.

* Those who consider bowling a relic of America’s past no doubt will find irony in the news that New York’s North Tonawanda History Museum will be moving into a building that once housed a bowling center called Deluxe Lanes. (More recently, the building was home to a banquet facility.)

* The guest this week on Phantom Radio is senior pro Joe Salvemini. To listen in on the conversation, go to: https://www.kegel.net/phantomblog/2018/7/11/joe-salvemini-phantom-radio.

* CONTACT: Please send business news, event information, etc. to Bob Johnson at bjibob@aol.com. For breaking business news, visit bcmmag.com or bowlersjournal.com, and “Like” Bowling Center Management and Bowlers Journal International on Facebook. BJI Cyber Reports are now archived at bcmmag.com.