This is the third in a series of “what’s right with bowling” features that originally appeared in the “Karma” section of the November issue of BCM. Additional stories will go live on December 25 and 31.
BY GEORGE WOOTEN III
The first day of school is a big deal for kids. Back-to-school season means new gear, new clothes and new haircuts. The traditional necessities can be a financial strain for many families.
All Strikes Lanes in Toledo, Ohio, aimed to ease that burden by organizing a community event over the Labor Day weekend. Owners Lakeila Carter and Latoya Brown hosted a Food Truck Festival on Sept. 2 that provided free school supplies and haircuts for to those youngsters who needed them.
“We’ve been blessed, so we wanted to be able to give back and use the resources that we have to do that,” said Brown. “We had a rough summer, business-wise, but we feel it’s important to give back and feed into our community.”
According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school spent an average of $890.07 on back-to-school items this year — approximately $25 more than last year’s record of $864.35.
As a business owner and foster parent, Brown says everyone has felt the back-to-school pinch. She also expressed how their event served as a confidence builder as students made their way back to the classroom.
“Events like the festival help students to feel good about themselves, but it also makes them look and feel beautiful on the first day of school,” said Brown of the complimentary haircuts. “We gave approximately 60 haircuts that day. We even let a few of the parents get a cut as well.”
Carter and Brown acquired the former New Glass Bowl Lanes in May 2022. Along with cleaning up the aging center, they wanted to get to know their community. Brown says she wanted to reintroduce the business to the community in a meaningful way.
“Overall, we thought it would be a good investment,” said Brown, who added she can count the number of times she has bowled on one hand. “Our job now is to invest in the property and show our dedicated bowlers that we, too, are dedicated to bowling.”
The owners have worked to upgrade All Strikes Lanes for the competitive and recreational bowlers alike. Recent upgrades to the center include new head and arrow lane panels, new pins, new house balls and new rental shoes. Plans are in the works to refinish the approaches as well.
“Everything about the business was new to us,” said Carter. “I was completely taken back by all the details. We were bombarded by people telling us how to do things. But we’ve learned so many things since taking over.”
The lack of bowling knowledge didn’t stop Carter and Brown from planning a first-class event. Along with giving away 200 school-supply bags and dozens of haircuts, attendees were treated to bouncy houses, face painting, horse rides and complimentary bowling.
“We just wanted to lend a helping hand and ease some of the back-to-school pressures for the families in our area,” said Carter. “If we can take that burden off of anyone here in our community, then that’s what we will do.”
This was the second year that All Strikes Lanes hosted its Food Truck Festival. Brown says that the center would be hosting a “Trunk or Treat” event for Halloween, and will work with local leaders regarding fundraisers and special events.
“We want to show our commitment to our area, and the effort we’re making to revitalize the center,” said Brown. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve people.”
Even as their center continues to regain its foothold in the community, Brown said she appreciates the chance to make a difference in the lives of others and putting good into the world.
“If nothing else, we’re paying forward the blessings we’ve received in our lives. When you give back, that’s how you receive your blessings.”
Bowling Center Management Online 
Leave a comment