E-dition No. 1,098 • Friday, February 28, 2020
Editor: Bob Johnson (bjibob@aol.com)
Miami Welcomes 20th Location of Punch Bowl Social
Punch Bowl Social will achieve a milestone Saturday when it opens its 20th venue. The new venue is located in Miami, Fla.
A grand opening party is scheduled for Saturday evening from 7 to 9, featuring a special set by DJ Questlove, who is the drummer and joint front man (with Black Thought) for the Grammy Award-winning band The Roots (the house band for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”).
Party attendees also will enjoy food, craft beverages, next-level gaming, and a live art installation by Miami local CP1. Tickets are priced at $30, and proceeds will benefit the Irie Foundation, which seeks to empower at-risk youth to lead productive lives through cultural experiences, educational initiatives, mentorship programs, and scholarship opportunities.
Punch Bowl Social presently operates locations in:
- Arlington, Va.
- Atlanta, Ga.
- Austin, Texas (2)
- Chicago, Ill.
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Dallas, Texas
- Denver, Colo.
- Detroit, Mich.
- Indianapolis, Ind.
- Milwaukee, Wis.
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- Portland, Ore.
- Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Sacramento, Calif.
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- San Diego, Calif.
- Schaumburg, Ill.
- Stapleton, Colo.
Next Wisconsin Vintage Alleys Tour Is April 26
While Punch Bowl Social, Pinstripes, Big Al’s, Main Event, Round1, Stars and Strikes and others represent modern venues that include bowling in a broader entertainment mix, there still are plenty of centers that represent bowling as it existed in the heyday of the sport.
A great way to experience some of those venues is to ride along on a Wisconsin Vintage Alleys Tour, a program that debuted in October 2017 as a way of promoting Wisconsin’s treasure trove of early and mid-20th century tenpin destinations — a period when the term “alleys” was embraced rather than disparaged.
A tour has been conducted each April and October since, and the next tour is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, departing from the Wisconsin State Fair Park & Ride (I-94 and 76th Street) in West Allis.
The scheduled itinerary:
* 9 a.m. — Depart Park & Ride
* 9:30-11:30 a.m. — Holler House, Milwaukee
* Noon-2 p.m. — Sanders Super Bowl, Milwaukee
* 2:30-4:30 p.m. — Shorewood High School, Shorewood
* 5 p.m. — Return to Park & Ride
The registration fee is $95 (through April 15) and covers chauffeured motor coach transportation, bowling in each venue (about five hours total), lunch, snacks, soft drinks and prizes.
“The tours have been very popular and we’re anticipating a sellout, given we have a smaller bus than for past tours,” said Yvonne Bennett, Executive Director of the Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin. “We are limited to just 24 people, and we already have 10 registered — including a man and his son from Pennsylvania who have bought airline tickets just to come to Milwaukee for this.”
Bennett added that other early registrants include a couple from Illinois who have been on most of our tours, and a Facebook bowling road trip aficionado from Nebraska.
For further information on the next tour, go to: http://www.bowlwi.com/bcaw-events/wisconsin-vintage-alleys-tour/
New Jersey Mall Says No to Round1 Application
Bowling long was considered virtually immune to downturns in the economy because its solid league base ensured ongoing business for 32 to 36 weeks out of the year. Even if people had to cut back on discretionary spending, they continued to bowl in their leagues because league rules required them to pay fees even when they missed a session.
But with league play now representing a much smaller percentage of a center’s business — even for so-called traditional centers — that immunity has declined, if not disappeared.
Other business forces also have impacted the bowling business over the past 50 years.
During the 1970s and into the ’80s, many centers closed to make way for various “big box stores” such as Walmart, Kmart, Target and Sears. Especially in growing areas, proprietors received “offers they couldn’t refuse” and accepted them to ensure a prosperous retirement.
Then came the next change in the business world — and it was a big one: the introduction of online shopping. Over time, big-box store after big-box store either reduced their footprint (perhaps consolidating from two floors of mall space into one) or closed their doors.
Suddenly, real estate owners and mall managers had big chunks of space to fill — and much of it, ironically, has been filled by bowling-based entertainment venues. The bowling businesses that previously had been bought out to procure the space they’d occupied were being sought out to “re-fill” the space they’d vacated.
One of the greatest “friends” of mall operators with space to fill has been Round1 Entertainment, which has opened centers — 40 at last count — from Albuquerque to Tucson, and from Arlington to Towson.
But at Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold, N.J., a proposal to fill the first floor of a building, formerly occupied by a Sears store, with a Round1 venue have been rejected by the township’s Planning Board.
According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, the board backed a determination made by the township zoning officer about 18 months ago that the amusement center would not be allowed in the township’s regional mall zone. It also denied a variance, or exemption, to the rules.
The Round1 venue would have included bowling, an arcade, billiards, table tennis, karaoke and other activities. But the board described the recreational mix as “too intensive for the proposed location,” citing the proposed hours of operation (10 a.m. to 2 a.m.) among the factors.
Now, the mall faces the prospect of Sears — which had already vacated its space in the mall’s second level — leaving without a tenant lined up to replace it.
BVL Support Leads to Local Business Award for Ciniellos
Bowland and HeadPinz Entertainment Centers, led by proprietors Pat and Lisa Ciniello, have received the local Excellence in Business Award.
Bowland and HeadPinz centers have provided more than a family-fun experience for the Southwest Florida community. The Ciniellos also are strong advocates for American veterans through their work with the Bowlers to Veterans Link program.
“Pat and Lisa are incredible people and outstanding leaders in our business community,” said Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman. “The success of the Bowland and HeadPinz locations is an incredible story, but what is truly amazing is the amount of dedication they have shown our veterans and active-duty military.
“When I was reviewing all of the possible candidates for this award, the admiration for those that have sacrificed defending our freedoms is what really struck me, and it’s why I selected them as this month’s Excellence in Business Award winner.”
Hamman created the award to recognize a local business’s outstanding performance and lasting contributions to the business community of Lee County.
“We are extremely honored to receive this award from Commissioner Hamman,” said Pat Ciniello. “Our success is only possible through our customers’ loyalty and generosity when it comes to honoring our brave veterans, and the men and women actively protecting our country. I want to thank Commissioner Hamman for always being an advocate for our community, and for recognizing our team’s hard work and dedication.”
16 Bowler’s Ed Kits Presented by IBC Youth Development
A school district in Illinois, a USBC association in Nebraska, and 14 schools have been selected by International Bowling Campus Youth Development to receive Bowler’s Ed kits.
The kits provide teachers, and those who organize youth activities, with the tools needed to engage children in a true bowling experience. For teachers, the program conforms with all five National Association of Sport and Physical Education standards for physical education. For students, the kits provide activities to enhance cardiovascular health, coordination and endurance while learning about the sport.
“With the Bowler’s Ed kits, we are able to introduce so many children to bowling, and show them how much fun they can have by knocking down pins,” IBC Youth Committee chair Melissa McDaniel said. “It’s great to see these schools and organizations understand the value of these kits, and [that they] took the initiative to apply for the grants. We know the teachers will enjoy the program as much as the students.”
The schools and organizations receiving grants are:
* Ave Maria Catholic School, Parker, Colo.
* Blackhawk Christian School, Fort Wayne, Ind.
* Bowen High School, Chicago
* Frank J. Dugan Elementary, Marlboro, N.J.
* Grand Island Cairo Area USBC, Grand Island, Neb.
* Grove Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
* Hancock College Prep, Chicago
* Harwood Career Preparatory High School, Evansville, Ind.
* James Stephens Montessori, Ville Platte, La.
* Jefferson Elementary School, Stevens Point, Wis.
* Lincoln Elementary, Franklin, Ky.
* Magnolia West High School, Magnolia, Texas
* Scott City Middle School, Scott City, Kan.
* Shiloh Community Unit School District 1, Hume, Ill.
* Summit Academy North High School, Romulus, Mich.
* Vail Pittman Elementary, Las Vegas
Since 2016, IBC Youth Development has awarded 214 Bowler’s Ed kits to schools and organizations across the country. The program is supported by BPAA and USBC.
March Bowling Business Calendar…
“Save the Date” appears every month in Bowling Center Management magazine. If you have a business-related event to list, please send the information — including date, site and contact information — to bjibob@aol.com. Meanwhile, here’s a look at some of the events coming up in March…
* March 7-8 — Foundations Entertainment University Seminar, New Orleans, La.; foundationsuniversity.com
* March 9 — A2 Pinsetter Training Class, Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif.; ed@socalbowling.com
* March 9-11 — Amusement Expo International, Hilton New Orleans Riverside and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La.; amusementexpo.org
* March 16 — Entry deadline for BPA of the Carolinas and Georgia Rising Stars tournament; 910-520-5717
* March 22-24 — 74th annual BCA of Michigan State Convention, Ann Arbor, Mich.; 989-600-0992
* March 24 — Missouri BPA Board of Directors Meeting and talent acquisition and facility security seminar, Hilton Garden Inn, Columbia, Mo.; bowlmissouri.com
* March 24 — Alabama/Mississippi BPA Board of Directors Meeting, via conference call; almsbpa.com
* March 27 — Bowling Centers of Southern California Board of Directors Meeting, Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif., and Idea Share, Glow Zone, Huntington Beach, Calif.; ed@socalbowling.com
* March 31 — Colorado State BPA Board of Directors Meeting and Time Management Boot Camp, The Summit, Thornton, Colo.; bowlcolorado.com
Other News You Can Use…
* Jason Belmonte no longer will have to answer questions about when he’s going to win the U.S. Open or what it would mean to have the iconic green jacket as part of his wardrobe. Belmo finally was able to add an Open title to his resume Sunday at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Neb., with a 226-201 win over top seed Anthony Simonsen. The championship round was broadcast live on FOX and, in addition to the coveted outerwear, Belmonte took home a $30,000 top prize. Report: https://bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622334285
* Sweden’s Jesper Svensson averaged 238.77 while winning 11 of his 16 matches to earn the top berth for Saturday’s stepladder finals in the Go Bowling PBA Indianapolis Open at Royal Pin Woodland by 24 pins over Shawn Maldonado. Saturday’s stepladder finals will air live on FS1 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. The Indianapolis Open is included in the 2020 “million dollar 300 bonus” incentive program that will pay the tournament champion a $1 million bonus if he bowls a 300 game in Saturday’s championship match. More: https://www.pba.com/articles/Swedene28099s-Jesper-Svensson-Qualifies-No-1-for-Go-Bowling-Indianapolis-Open-Stepladder-Finals
* Competition in Indianapolis continues Thursday (Feb. 27) with two seven-game qualifying rounds in the Mark Roth-Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship. The top 16 teams will advance to two Baker format match play rounds Friday to decide the five teams that will compete for the title on Saturday. The doubles finals will be taped to air on FS1 on Sunday, March 8, at noon.
* The guest this week on Phantom Radio is Nick Hoagland, who is the Cyber Report’s odds-on favorite to win the ongoing Phantom Radio Trivia Contest. To see how he does in this round, go to: https://kegel.squarespace.com/phantomblog/2020/2/26/nick-hoagland-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. Please remember that the Cyber Report is a B-to-B publication and not intended for consumers.
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