New Lodi businesses begin breaking ground
Past projects approved by the Lodi Planning Commission are finally off and rolling, including the initial construction phases of a new bowling alley. Two new hotels could be completed by year’s end and a Black Bear Diner will add to Lodi’s dining options.
Kingpin Bowling Alley, which was first approved in October 2017, is expected to begin pouring concrete at the 300 block of North Sacramento Street on Thursday.
The project has had delays due to weather conditions, according to Kingpin owner Joseph Haddad.
The two-story bowling alley will occupy 42,650 square feet on the edge of Downtown Lodi. It will feature a 1,240-square-foot kitchen and a 2,200-squarefoot restaurant.
“This isn’t a standard bowling alley; it’s going to have a lot more features and
brand new technology,” Haddad said. “We are not just bringing a bowling alley to Lodi, we are bringing a whole new experience.”
Although construction of the building is expected to be completed in the next few months, the bowling alley is not expected open until mid2020, he said.
“The inlay of the building will take the most time because we have many features we are adding to this project,” Haddad said.
The bowling alley is expected to offer luxury seating and couches for guests as well as a bar area on the bottom floor and private bowling lanes. The aesthetic of the bowling alley is inspired by Brooklyn Bowling in Las Vegas, Haddad said, and will include the newest tech features on the market.
“We will have lanes that are equipped with Hyper-bowling, a system that has just come on the market, and we will be the first in the area to offer it,” he said.
Hyper-bowling is a futuristic interface software system that uses lights, electronics and sensors to create a hyper-realistic interactive experience.
Standard lanes, night bowling and the typical attractions will also be part of the experience.
“We will not have plastic chairs,” Haddad joked. “This bowling alley is going to be very sleek and luxurious.”
The bowling alley is expected to host private parties and events with a second story banquet hall, which will offer 3,000 square feet to host large events and gatherings.
The site is expected to
take up the 300 block of North Sacramento Street and include 79 on-site parking spaces, along with 67 spaces on Sacramento Street.
The bowling alley is not the only project starting construction, according to City Planner Craig Hoffman. Candlewood Suites, a 95-unit extended-stay hotel, is expected to wrap up construction by the end of the year.
The hotel will be constructed east of Highway 99 on Kettleman Lane, near the DMV. The hotel owners, Kyu Kim and Beth Kim of Kim Family Properties, also own the Holiday Inn Express at 1341 E. Kettleman Lane. With an increase in tourism due to the booming wine industry, the Kims are catering to visitors looking to stay in town over a long period of time.
There is also new construction at near Reynolds Ranch in southeast Lodi, where a new Fairfield Inn will be located. It will host 72 guest rooms, along with meeting rooms, a hotel market and a breakfast bar. The hotel will be locally owned and constructed by Diede Construction.
The hotel will also have an event center, a pool and a hot tub.
On the food front, after much speculation and anticipation the former Coco’s Bakery located at 2347 W. Kettleman Lane will become a Black Bear Diner. As of Jan. 28, representatives from the company cleared to begin converting the previous establishment into a classic Big Bear Diner.
“They are set to go,” Hoffman said. “They are not looking to get any building permits or purchase the property. They are currently leasing it.”