Mahoning Valley Lanes offers more than bowling

To bowl or not to bowl? That is the question.

At Mahoning Valley Lanes, bowling may be the least important activity.

That may be a contradiction, but who cares if you’re having fun?

Since opening 31/2 years ago after the old A-Plus Family Bowl closed, owner Shane Nesbitt has tried to build his business on the four S’s: Service, Smiles, Strikes and Sandwiches.

He seems to have licked three of the four.

“Bowling has fallen off a little in the last year and a half,” Nesbitt said of a trend that shouldn’t come as a surprise in an industry that has suffered along with many others, given the general decline in a poor economic climate.

“We’re feeling the same pain as everyone else in this economy,” he said.

So if strikes aren’t flying off the shelves, and the upper Mahoning Avenue corridor, where Mahoning Valley Lanes is located, isn’t Las Vegas, what’s all the buzz about?

“When you want a night out, what differentiates us from others is our food business,” Nesbitt said, noting that he employs a baker who makes fresh dough seven days a week.

“The freshness of our subs, pizza and buns is outstanding because it’s made daily.

“We want to give people a mix of things, so we offer a full carryout menu to the West Side and all of downtown,” he said of the food side of the business.

On the entertainment end, Nesbitt has had bands on several occasions, including New Year’s Eve.

“We’re seeing a trend more toward live entertainment, so we want to grow that side of our business for people who want to come in and let their hair down,” said Nesbitt.

“People will stay a little longer if they have something to look forward to,” he said of the music enticement.

“We have DJs and live shows. We want to put our dollars and cents out there and make sure we’re getting the best bang for our buck.”

About five months ago, Mahoning Valley renovated the old hardwood and approaches of the facility’s 24 lanes.

“They were made to look like brand-new, just like they were when Gran opened in 1956,” Nesbitt said of the original alleys installed by the building’s first owners, Donald and Helene Salreno Gran.

“They stop in and look at what we’ve done,” Nesbitt said of occasional visits by the Grans.

“They seem to care about the place they left several years back. They give us insightful tips. Their words mean a lot to us.”

The alleys have eight leagues, but Nesbitt said he’s campaigning to attract more league business.

Still, open bowling remains the biggest chunk of the activity.

“We’ve got cosmic bowling on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 9 p.m. That’s always been a big hit.”

The owner has also been supportive of local MS, MD and ISLE efforts and others.

“I like to help the handicapped,” he said of catering to groups such as Turning Point Residential. “I love having that business, too, because seeing someone in that position who is vulnerable and then putting a smile on their face means the world to us. We pay special attention to handicap groups coming through our doors.”

Nesbitt is also receptive to the Helping Other Women organization.

Nesbitt, who has 10 fulltime employees, said that his location provides a pleasant environment.

“We have video surveillance to make sure there’s no trouble. Cleanliness and safety are important because we care about what our patrons think.”

The 40-year-old Nesbitt has worked for 22 years in the voice and data network business, but he also dabbles in real estate development.

Nesbitt summed up his MVL objective.

“We’re trying to drive the marketplace, at least on the West Side. It’s an affordable night out for family and others. We’ve priced ourselves to attract a local customer base and to provide an environment to bring family and friends.”

High Rollers

Powered by a pair of 279s, Nick Evans had 804 in Wednesday Men at Holiday and Ken Kimerer had a second-best 793 with a 300 game. Both came on Jan. 4.

Joe Simon also had 300 in Doughton Businessmen at Bell-Wick on Jan. 5.

On Jan. 11, Chuck Fagan had 804 in Charlie’s Service/Bedford Trails at Holiday.

Erin Whitehouse’s 701 topped women in Hively’s Doubles at Amron during week 17 of 32.

Calfee’s Place defeated Barry Dyngles to win Thursday Night Sportsman’s second quarter at Wedgewood. Calfee’s bowlers were: Ron Blick, Don Piersant, Paul Voland, Chris Calfee and Chuck Sanor.

Bobby’s Girls won Lucky Ladies’ first half at Holiday and, at Amron, the second 3rd winner in the Bob’s Auto Service Seniors League was the team composed of Martin Lutherans, Roy Weaver, Ed Perry, Al Nuzzi, Jon Culp and Gary Isabella.