urbanSTL

I'd be more worried as to whether it will be in business in 5 years.



Bowling was essentially dead in this country until a few years ago when it became the hip fad. What happens when the fad dies (as all fads eventually do)?

^^



I do wish the marquee were rounded - like a half circle coming off the building instead of the big box. Anyway, bowling is back to stay for awhile. And when it's no longer popular bowling alleys will close and something else will go in - same with every other business/store that inevitably goes out.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:I'd be more worried as to whether it will be in business in 5 years.



Bowling was essentially dead in this country until a few years ago when it became the hip fad. What happens when the fad dies (as all fads eventually do)?

I think you're viewing it wrong. Bowling has essentially split into two divisions. The suburban mega places that have 40 lanes, arcades etc like the Brunswick XL's that have opened in St. Peters MO and Troy Illinois. Those are more aimed at the families with their cosmic bowl nights and other things to get people in. Those are the ones I see in danger because of their high start-up costs. Look how fast Lucky Strike open and closed out at St. Louis Mills.



Then there's the smaller urban places like Pin-Up, Flamingo and Moolah with 8, 10 or 12 lanes tops. Places like these will survive because they're more aimed at adults: think of bars that happen to have a few bowling lanes. Look at how Saratoga has lasted so long.



I know I've been to Pin-Up a few times where the place is busy with people partying and drinking: yet there are lanes still sitting open.



EDIT: plus the craze you talk about didn't really result in a major bowling center building boom. It's not like trampoline pits of the 60's, roller rinks on the 70's or arcades in the 80's where you could swing a cat by it's tail and hit one of these places.



The recent bowling fad you talked about only increased business of existing places, and only at select times. I remember a few years ago having to make a non-refundable deposit by Thursday to ensure a lane for Cosmic Bowling on a Saturday night.



It's not like this craze resulted in everyone being in leagues like it used to be 30 years ago. Back then I remember my dad and almost every other father in the neighborhood being in 1 or 2 leagues.

I personally attribute Bowling's resurgence to "The Big Lebowski".

^ I didn't know your thumb pointed that way!!!



But seriously, your complaints about the Pinnacle project are valid - but let's see what the project is like when we visit it and use the area, not just what near-to-the-end construction we can see from I-70 or a casual drive.



The Flamingo Bowl sign should be looking better once the additional neon's in place.

Ha! You starting a fraternity or something?

Bet it won't be easy to get a lane that day

Not with the DTSLRA party after this the same day...



By the way looked in last night and they were testing the scoreing screens, which are sick flat panels. The light fixtures are really cool too, in a Edwards cheese way. This looks a bit more modern and "loft like" than Pin-Up. Cleaner lines, brighter colors...



Can't wait for this to open!

The sign was on during lunch time today. Not the marquee part but the neon was working. Looks real nice looking up the block.



They're going to have to work close to 24/7 to be ready for Thursday afternoon. I tried not to be too obnoxious while I stood in the window, but I counted at least 25 workers doing tons of different things:

~electricians behind the bar

~four or five guys working on the lanes

~couple of flooring/carpeting people

~people working on the tables and chairs

~others working on cleaning

~two working on the video screens



And they're all moving like their a**es are on fire.

innov8ion wrote:Joe Edward's team is comprised of complete professionals! They're pretty much right on schedule. It'll be interesting to see how smooth things are on Thursday, but I'm sure it'll be pretty good...



Here's some pictures from this morning although I plan to take some at night, which will look more impressive.



http://flickr.com/photos/digistic/tags/flamingo/show/

He's probably got every available warm body on his payroll down there. I thought I recognized a couple of Blueberry Hill wait/bar staff doing some of the cleaning.