Playing out the string in East Providence
Popular R.I. bowling alley closing its doors for good
EAST PROVIDENCE — After 54 years, the hardwood lanes and pin setting machines at the Bowling Academy on Taunton Avenue are being silenced forever.
The city bowling institution is closing its doors today, owner Peter Capello announced this week.
“It is with deep sadness that I need to inform you that after 54 years in the Capello family, I will be closing the doors of the Bowling Academy on June 25, 2017,” Capello said on the business’ Facebook page.
The building housing the bowling alley was recently purchased by city businessman Joseph Ruggiero who is planning to demolish the building. Ruggerio also purchased the vacant Edmund Place Health Center, which is adjacent to the bowling alley.
Capello says he is closing the bowling alley due to health problems.
“I wish this could continue, but due to my recent back issues I no longer can provide the personal service people have come to expect from this family business,” he said.
Capello says the Bowling Academy’s mission over the years has been to provide a bowling center where every bowler, regardless of age or skill, had a great experience and wanted to return.
And return they did – in droves.
The alley, beloved by city residents for more than five decades, was a local landmark and hub in the city for bowling leagues, youth programs, tour-
naments, children’s birthday parties and corporate functions.
On Friday, as word of the bowling alley’s closure began circulating, the tributes began were pouring out on Facebook
“So sad to hear this news,” said one loyal customer. “My son enjoyed bowling there as did I. It's sad to see places like this close. Our children are so limited to the places they can go and have fun as it is.”
“My maternal grandparents were in leagues there forever,” said another poster. “I remember as a kid growing up in Riverside they would bring us. Good memories. Too bad it's going away.”
“Sad news,” another poster said. “I bowled here as a kid 25 years ago, and had birthday parties for my kid there in recent years. Thanks for the fun.”
The Bowling Academy was also one of only a handful of bowling alleys in Rhode Island that offered duckpin bowling, a variation of bowling with smaller, lighter balls and shorter, fatter pins. In fact, the Bowling Academy has its place in duckpin bowling history. The first ever automatic duckpin pinsetters, invented and installed by Ken Sherman, were tested on what are now lanes 15 and 16 at Bowling Academy.
The 16-lane bowling alley was started in 1963 by Capello’s father, Manuel, better known as Cap. Peter took over the business in 1976 continuing his father’s tradition of running a family-friendly bowling alley.
“It was with great pride that I continued serving these families and others, including many who came as kids, then brought their children and then the grandchildren,” he says. “We even have some great-grandchildren of the original kids who love telling tales of Cap,” he said.
He said the business was able to survive all these years thanks to its loyal customers and “family” of employees, some who have worked at the bowling alley for 30 years.
“We have been blessed with dedicated staff throughout the years that helped make the business what it is today,” Capello said.
Capello had special praise for the bowling alley’s loyal customers.
“Each one of our patrons has been a very special part of our lives for all this time,” he says. “They were more than customers. They were truly like family to us and my dad and I loved being part of their families in whatever small way we could.”
“Whether you were here for a birthday party or part of a league or even just for a fun night out, I humbly want to thank everybody for being part of our business and our lives,” he said.