CT bowling alley credits survival to variety
NORWALK — General manager Aaron Rawson says the bowling chain Pinstripes credits its longevity to being more than just a bowling alley.
The establishment — part restaurant, part bowling alley and part bocce court — was forced to close during the height of the coronavirus pandemic last spring and reopened in July. Now with Gov. Ned Lamont’s rollback of several COVID-19 restrictions starting March 19 for businesses, Prinstripes may operate at full capacity.
Establishments are still required to maintain 6 feet of distance between parties and everyone must continue to wear masks. Additionally, food service is required alongside alcohol. And the local bowling alley plans to stick to those guidelines.
Pinstripes sallows customers to dine while bowling, with booths positioned at the end of the lane, but continues to use only six of its dozen lanes, Rawson said.
A specific set of balls, of varying sizes, are kept at each lane and cleansed after each group bowls, he added. Reservations are spaced with 15 minutes in between to allow cleaning of the booths, balls and lane.
In general, Rawson said Pinstripes relies more on its food and drinks than bowling for sales. The bocce and bowling offered are a part of the experience rather than the core. This versatility has been ideal for the business’ success through the pandemic, according to Rawson.
“Overall, as far as the pandemic, I’d say we fared pretty well,” he said. “It’s also huge that we do more than just bowling. A big part of what we do is food and beverages.”
Currently, bowling amounts for about a sixth of the business Pinstripes does each week, he noted. When the pandemic began in March 2020, Pinstripes’ Norwalk franchise in the SoNo Collection mall had only been open for about four months.
“There are a lot of restaurants that closed during this time, and we are a fortunate one that hasn’t,” Rawson said. “We poised ourselves very well. We will come out stronger and better. We will refine what we do.”
The first Pinstripes was established in 2007, which Rawson said exhibits the chain’s resilience.
“They (Maryland and Washington, D.C.) had tighter overall restrictions,” said Rawson, who previously worked at the chain’s Maryland and Washington, D.C., locations. “I know D.C. still isn’t doing bowling. everything shut down again and they couldn’t do indoor or outdoor dining for a while.”