VERMILION — A local bowling alley is opening its doors to families this summer and doing it in a way that owners say is about more than just business.
At Lake Erie Lanes, Sandy and Brian Piwinski are participating in the national Kids Bowl Free program, allowing children to bowl up to two free games per day throughout the summer season.
The program runs through August and is designed to give families an affordable way to stay active. Parents who want to bowl alongside their children can purchase a family pass for a one-time fee of about $49, which covers the entire season. The only cost not included is shoe rental.
Families can register their children for the program by visiting kidsbowlfree.com or by scanning the QR code available at Lake Erie Lanes.
A year of rebuilding
The program comes just over a year after the Piwinskis took ownership of the longtime Vermilion bowling alley.
That first year, they said, was anything but easy.
“It was an uphill climb,” Sandy Piwinski said. “We’re fixing things that have been neglected over the years.”
From electrical repairs to lane maintenance and roof issues, the couple invested significant time and money to stabilize operations while continuing to work full-time jobs outside the business.
Despite the challenges, they say community support has helped carry them through.
“Business has been really good. We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” she said.
More under one roof
Lake Erie Lanes offers more than traditional bowling.
The facility includes a virtual golf simulator, giving customers another indoor activity option, along with a pro shop for bowlers who need equipment, service or support.
The bowling side remains the heart of the business, with 18 lanes, leagues, open bowling, youth opportunities and special events. Piwinski said they have worked to repair and improve the lanes while restoring a more welcoming, family-focused atmosphere.
More than just bowling
Beyond the lanes, the business is also working to change how people view the facility.
Lake Erie Lanes features a full kitchen with a wide-ranging menu, from burgers and pizza to newer additions like gyros, Reubens and shrimp baskets.
“Everything is made fresh here,” Piwinski said.
The lanes have also introduced events to bring people in, including themed bowling nights, live entertainment and special activities like a Kentucky Derby-style bowling “horse race.”
The lanes are also bringing in larger events, including a micro wrestling show scheduled for June 28, which previously drew more than 500 people to Vermilion. Piwinski said events like that are part of a broader effort to bring new energy into the space and attract visitors who may not have otherwise walked through the doors.
Rooted in Vermilion
For Sandy Piwinski, the investment is personal.
She bowled at the alley as a child, as did members of her family, and said bringing it back to life carries deeper meaning.
“I bowled here on leagues as a kid. My grandparents bowled here,” she said.
The business has also become a family effort. The Piwinskis said the first year would not have been possible without their staff, who they consider part of their family. They also credited their daughters, Hannah and Bailey, both college students, for helping during breaks and over the summer.
The couple has also focused on creating a safe, family-friendly environment.
“It’s important to me that parents feel comfortable dropping their kids off and knowing they’re safe,” she said.
Looking ahead
As part of that vision, the business is undergoing a gradual rebrand.
Plans include a new logo and a name change for the restaurant portion of the facility, which is expected to become “Pappy’s,” a tribute to Sandy’s s father.
The bowling alley itself will continue operating as Lake Erie Lanes.
For now, the focus remains on building momentum, one family at a time.
“We’re trying to make it our own,” she said.
