PEABODY — The clashing of bowling balls and pins is like the sound of an orchestra to Bob Leo Jr., whose family owns Metro Bowl.
Thanks to the International Candlepin Bowling Association, children can bowl one string a day for every day of the summer. Leo said that the goal of the program is to get children interested in bowling at a young age.
Leo mentioned that some in the industry were nervous when the COVID-19 pandemic began, but according to the Metro Bowl owner, it turned out that people were itching to get back to the lanes.
“All our bowlers have supported us,” said Leo. “All our leagues (come) back this September. I got to say it’s quite the surprise the number of people that have taken an interest back into bowling.”
As residents are aware, this summer has been filled with rain. While that might seem like a bad thing, it’s something that Leo and the bowling industry rely upon.
“(A) really rainy summer is very good for bowling,” he said. “It’s hard to say if it was the ‘kids bowl free’ program or it’s just that there is nothing else to do on a rainy summer day.”
No matter the cause, Leo said that he has seen an increase in numbers when it comes to younger bowlers compared to previous years.
In addition to the kids bowl free program, Metro Bowl offers instructional leagues for all age groups. For those more experienced with the game, the bowling alley also has junior bowling leagues.
Even before the pandemic, bowling as a business was beginning to change. Metro Bowl opened up Spare Time Tavern inside the bowling alley in 2017 to make the complex a one-stop shop for bowlers and diners alike. Now, says Leo, patrons can get restaurant-quality food and drinks while they bowl.
“People like the one-stop shop and they want to come, grab a pizza, take the kids bowling, have an adult beverage and get a soda for the kids,” he said. “You don’t have to pack up the car and go somewhere else. The food here is good; it’s a scratch kitchen. We pride ourselves as not (having) traditional bowling-alley food.”
Leo added that he has been grateful for the support that has come from residents, which he said has greatly encouraged the owners of Metro Bowl.
