Allen Park's beloved Thunderbowl Lanes, a Metro Detroit staple for more than six decades, is changing hands. The largest privately owned bowling center in the U.S., which has hosted prestigious professional and collegiate tournaments, will soon be part of the Bowlero Corp empire, a powerhouse that currently operates over 300 bowling arenas and owns the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). The news comes with both a sense of nostalgia and curiosity about the establishment's future under its new leadership.
The Strobl family, who has held majority ownership of the Thunderbowl since 1997, relayed their decision as one that will usher in new memories under the Bowlero brand. In a heartfelt message to their patrons and the community, they expressed gratitude and hope, "The family would like to thank the bowling community, the City of Allen Park, the staff and the management of Thunderbowl Lanes for all wonderful memories and we wish for many more to come with Bowlero," as reported by FOX 2 Detroit.
Thunderbowl Lanes, a venue that could boast about its participation in events as grand as the World Series of 300 bowling and USBC Masters, seems poised to maintain its legacy while stepping into an expansive corporate portfolio. Marking Bowlero's sixth location in Michigan, this acquisition signifies a strategic move to solidify its footprint in the region. "The acquisition of Thunderbowl Lanes marks the company’s sixth location in Michigan," according to FOX 2 Detroit.
Moving forward, patrons of Thunderbowl can expect to see the Bowlero influence, although the extent of those changes remains a talking point among the regulars. General Manager Vicki Ingham, who has been with Thunderbowl for 27 years, reassures loyal customers of a continued familiarity, "I don’t think any major changes for the customers that feel like they come here because they know us. I think that’s still going to feel that way," Ingham said, per WXYZ. For Ingham, who will remain at the bowling alley post-sale, the transition will be a departure from the family-owned atmosphere she has known for nearly three decades.
Reactions from the regulars vary, with customer Charles Graddick expressing his anticipation about the forthcoming changes, "The changes they’re going to make, that's the most important thing the changes," he told WXYZ. Another bowler, John Talon, noted his mixed experiences with other Bowlero centers while also recognizing the potential for improvement. With generations of bowlers having called Thunderbowl their second home, its new chapter with Bowlero is watched with keen interest and a hint of wary optimism.
