Showdown in Indianapolis

The stage is set for a bit of a duckpin showdown in Indianapolis. Successful social duckpin developer and operator Pins Mechanical is set to open their newest location only a short distance from established centers, Action Bowl and Atomic Bowl, in Fountain Square.

Pins Mechanical locations feature the “social” version of duckpin as an adjunct to its entertainment business. The lanes are shorter, ranging from 32-48 feet depending on the location and building. They usually do not have approaches and do not require bowling shoes.

Action Bowl, on the 4th floor of the Fountain Square Building has 8 duckpin lanes with string pinsetters. Atomic Bowl, located in the basement of the same building features genuine 1950’s and 60’s equipment. Both centers were sanctioned by the National Duckpin Bowling Congress in 1991, but are not sanctioned today.

Industry eyes will be watching. Will both types continue to garner business? Will Action/Atomic benefit from the introduction of Pins Mechanical which seeks a younger demographic? Or, will the social duckpin craze prove to be more popular with today’s consumers that look for social experiences where activities like duckpin bowling are an aside, and not the main event?

Only time will tell for sure.

December 24, 2020 0

10Pins Bowling Alley in Franklin Goes with Mini-bowling Over Duckpins

Several months ago, we wrote how developed Pat Hagan was planning to bring duckpin bowling to his new project in downtown Franklin, Indiana. Since that time, Hagan opted to install six mini-bowling lanes instead.

In a recent article for The Daily Journal, Hagan explained that he didn’t want to add just another place to play duckpin bowling. Instead, he went with US Bowling’s “mini-bowling”. Overall, he mentions that the dimensions of the lanes and equipment were a better fit for the building.

We made contact with Hagan those many months ago and he was surprised to hear there was a national duckpin organization and a somewhat large member-base for duckpin bowling. He was interested in hearing more, especially of any advantages it offered. During the conversation, we offered to share his information with both the National Duckpin Bowling Congress as well as the Duckpin Bowling Proprietors Association so he could gather more information.

Unfortunately, when we recently caught up with Hagan, he said he was never contacted and selected mini-bowling. Duckpin didn’t seem to present any clear advantages and mini-bowling offered a less-expensive package. However, even he says he might have gone a different way with more information on why duckpin could have been a better choice. After all, his original inspiration was bowling duckpin at Action Bowl at Fountain Square in Indianapolis.

Hagan mentioned, “I had done that many, many times, and I had thought earlier that (Franklin) would be a really cool place to do something like that. But I’d never put much thought into it. As we were bowling this time, people kept saying that we should do something like this, and I wanted to try it.”

10Pins also features arcade games, a bar stocked with craft beer choices and wine, as well as food menu. A partnership with nearby Greek’s Pizzeria and Tapp Room has helped him to expand the menu.

Describing his business, Hagan says, “We’re a bowling facility first and foremost. I just happen to have a bar. I would rather people come in and bowl, then if they want a beer or a soda or a hot dog, we can accommodate it…”

August 29, 2019 0

Recbar to open second location with duckpin bowling

Yet more duckpin lanes coming to Indiana. Probably the “mini” type of course, but it still could be part of a start to something bigger and better. Recbar is adding to its Kentucky location by opening another across the river in New Albany Indiana. They offer food, craft beer, pinball and arcade games, as well as a t least two mini-duckpin bowling lanes.

April 12, 2019 0

Indianapolis set to get more duckpin bowling

Rise Brands, a developer of entertainment venues, is set to open their first Indiana location and it will have a version of duckpin bowling. Early information seems to indicate that the lanes will be about 25-30 feet with a shortened approach. They will be using the Qubica/AMF string machines as pinsetters.

Pins Mechanical Company currently operates two other venues with similar duckpin bowling, one of which is in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to a briefing given by the company to obtain its license, they are booking over 1000 games a week in the Cincinnati location. They also expect to do very well with youth birthday parties before 8pm.

The company also has two arcade-type locations. Their motto is, With the motto “when life gives you balls, play with them,” Pins will serve an array of craft beer and cocktails.”.

Indystar – A pinball, bocce, foosball, ping pong and duckpin bowling bar is coming to Mass Ave.

January 30, 2019 0

Could Indiana become the new center of duckpin Bowling? This developer thinks so.

A developer, Pat Hagan, is planning on building a full 10-lane duckpin bowling center in Franklin, Indiana. After seeing the lanes at Fountainsquare and observing the crowds waiting to play, he decided that Franklin’s restaurant district needed a similar venue. Based on a TV interview on local WTHR, he is already looking to option two other locations in the Indianapolis suburbs for even more duckpin lanes.

Hagan plans to have both the arcade-style mini-bowling as well as almost full-size duckpin lanes. There is some issue with regulation lanes being just a bit too long to fit into the historic building so they will have to be shortened a little. However, Hagan indicates he will get as close to regulation as possible under the circumstances.

“Pending state and local approvals, Hagan hopes to be open this spring after installing 10 duckpin lanes. The bowling alley will have beer and wine service and concession-type foods provided by a local restaurant or two—think pizza, hot dogs and wings.”

The center is located at 27 West Monroe Street Franklin, Indiana 46131.

UPDATE: The mini-bowling arcade lanes will be ready to open in early Summer while the longer duckpin lanes will take longer and should open in Fall 2019.

Indianapolis Business Journal – Duckpin bowling coming to Franklin

January 27, 2019 0