[villagetinker]

If you are as annoyed about the equipment failure rate and general conditions of the bowling lanes here are the contacts to send your concerns. I have complained several times and did get some positive replies, but I am one bowler, and lately complaints seem to be ignored.

So I am asking others who have concerns about the operation of the lanes, equipment, etc to send these to:

Bolero Corporate: 'GuestService@BowleroCorp.com'
Local management: 'LLockett@BowleroCorp.com'

Maybe if enough people let them know there are still problems they will actually do something, for example Friday lane 5 broke down causing the bowlers to be about 30 minutes late finishing, then Monday lane 21 broke down with the same results.

Thank you for letting me vent, now it is your turn.

[bagboy]

In most cases, I would say yes, talk to management. In this case with Bowlero (and local management) I would offer the opinion that you are absolutely wasting your time complaining. Bowleros game plan is reduce staff, reduce maintenance, and raise prices. They are despised by bowlers in every market they are in. For example, recently an accomplished bowler (paying customer) complained about the dirt and grime in the center here, and on the lanes. His complaint reached the center and area manager, and was confronted by them. He bowls 3 to 5 times a week (depending on weekend play) and spends money in the pub. He was told "maybe you should spend your money elsewhere". This is the type of people bowlers are dealing with. Complain all you want, good luck. I've posted an article re: Bowlero to confirm some of what have said.

Private Equity–Backed Firm Bowlero Is Ruining Bowling


Let me add, my post in no way is meant to disrespect the concerns and effort by VT who is probably the most overall respected poster on this forum, including respected by me.

[CarlR33]

I don’t bowl but are they the only game in town?

[Snakster66]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I don’t bowl but are they the only game in town?

Essentially, yes.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I don’t bowl but are they the only game in town?

Leesburg Bowl on west main.

[MsPCGenius]

Originally Posted by justjim

Leesburg Bowl on west main.

Same maintenance issues there, as well -- AMF owned.

[Snakster66]

Originally Posted by MsPCGenius

Same maintenance issues there, as well -- AMF owned.

Correct. This is why I say 'essentially, yes'. Bowlero Corporation operates more than 350 bowling alleys nationwide, under a portfolio of brands that includes Bowlero and AMF. So the same parent company operates all of the nearby lanes.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by Snakster66

Correct. This is why I say 'essentially, yes'. Bowlero Corporation operates more than 350 bowling alleys nationwide, under a portfolio of brands that includes Bowlero and AMF. So the same parent company operates all of the nearby lanes.

You are correct. Bowlero owns centers here, Ocala, Crystal River, and the center on Main Street in Leesburg. The arcade at the mall in Leesburg I don't think they own, as well as the center Tavares, neither of which would be feasible for Villagers to bowl at.

[Babubhat]

All the same company now. String pin setters are the future. Up to 3000 parts in a pin setter. No idea how they find mechanics today. Watching a mechanic video it looks like a miserable job

USBC Approved String Pinsetters - Funk Bowling North America

Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation provides location-based entertainment platforms under the AMF, Bowlero, Lucky X Strike, Boomers, and PBA brand names in North America. It also operates bowling, amusements, water parks, and family entertainment centers. The company was formerly known as Bowlero Corp. and changed its name to Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation in December 2024.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by justjim

Leesburg Bowl on west main.

This place? I ask because it came up on a search for the “go bowling” (a sponsor of NASCAR).
Bowling – Leesburg, FL

[CFrance]

A friend of ours bowls a couple times per week. I think up by Spanish Springs. He threw his ball down the lane, and it didn't come back. Another bowler on another lane had the same problem. The alley people couldn't find the balls. They think they are under the alleys somehow, and they had to call someone in to find them. Apparently they have had trouble keeping knowledgeable mechanics. I can't remember when this happened, but as of last Sunday they still hadn't located the two balls.

[badkarma318]

There should be at least one competent mechanic, and at least one porter on duty during business hours, preferably two of each.

If this corporation just hires "handymen" off the street as their mechanics, that is unacceptable (as specialized training is required, and each individual pinsetter has its own quirks). Lane oiling must be considered as well.

Source: Managed a 40-lane bowling center.

It seems as though the owner is determined to do things as cheaply as possible, so I only see two possibilities:

1. Create some type of petition outlining the problems, get as many people to sign it as possible, request a meeting with the highest-ranking employee (General Manager, most likely), then you can show them how many paying customers share your frustrations. If you do not gain satisfaction, time to escalate.

2. The lifeblood of pretty much any bowling alley is league bowlers. Very few locations would be able to thrive on walk-ins/open play only. See how many commitments you can get for a boycott. This will be difficult, as most won't want to rock the boat, but in order to force change, you must affect the incoming $$$.

Neither option is likely to succeed, sadly. You might try contacting someone way up the chain of command with The Villages, but I doubt they would apply pressure to a tenant.

Short of an ownership change, it doesn't look promising.

[Nevinator]

Bowling is a sport/activity that people can participate in well into their 80’s even with some disabilities, so with so many retirees living here with so much free time, I am quite surprised by the lack of bowling facilities throughout The Villages. I moved here from a city of about 65,000 in Texas and we had three local bowling alleys and all of them were always busy. Also, the cost to bowl was reasonable compared to here. On Friday’s seniors bowled for $1.00 per game and league bowlers were always given a flat rate of $2.00 per game.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

If you are as annoyed about the equipment failure rate and general conditions of the bowling lanes here are the contacts to send your concerns. I have complained several times and did get some positive replies, but I am one bowler, and lately complaints seem to be ignored.

So I am asking others who have concerns about the operation of the lanes, equipment, etc to send these to:

Bolero Corporate: 'GuestService@BowleroCorp.com'
Local management: 'LLockett@BowleroCorp.com'

Maybe if enough people let them know there are still problems they will actually do something, for example Friday lane 5 broke down causing the bowlers to be about 30 minutes late finishing, then Monday lane 21 broke down with the same results.

Thank you for letting me vent, now it is your turn.

Not a bowler, will support and send emails.

[Babubhat]

Mike Rowe from dirty jobs did a video about being a bowling mechanic. See YouTube. Dangerous job requiring an acrobats agility. No idea how you find a mechanic for what they pay. Time for them to convert to String pins. Less than 50 parts and much fewer breakdowns