Kingpin's Opens August 5th

The bowling alley is back in Ulysses!

In February, after teaching English in Thailand for three years, Bene Garcia pursued an interest in reviving the bowling alley in town. Bene reached out to Chris Ozborn to continue with the purchase of the alley. Chris and Bene graduated from Ulysses High School together in 2003, and the partnership has gone smoothly. Chris owns his own mechanic shop, and has been mechanically restoring the bowling alley equipment.

“We mainly got it because we both like to bowl,” Chris said, “We really want to bring something to the community for more activities, especially during winter.”

“We wanted to create a space in the community where we would hangout anyway, even if we didn’t own it.” Bene said, “We want to widen the range of fun and recreation in town, and we’re eager to hangout, socialize, and bowl.”

Besides bowling, Kingpin’s has expanded the seating area for bowlers and non-bowlers, some classic arcade games, a Foosball table, and a TV for sporting events. There is also a concessions stand that will sell food and beer.

“We’re looking at expanding our arcade games,” Bene said, “And we’re also looking into having some tabletop and board games, like Jenga.”

Both Bene and Chris want to get leagues started again, get the youth involved in leagues, and host schools and businesses for parties and other events.

“It’s no secret that our bowling alley had one foot in the grave. Thus, Bene, Chris, and Helena (The Kingpin’s Family) would like to thank the following people for their hard work and generous contributions. Opening the bowling alley would not have been possible without the following people: Miles Gibbons, Aaron and Alyssa Hammond, Darrell Manis, Shawn Hume, Lisa Klassen, Debrina Grewing, Barton and Alice Keeler, Mister Garcia, Bene and Cris Garcia, Johnny Ozborn, David Meza, Caleb Woods, Bobbi Higgs, Kristina Mease, Scott Starrett, Jesse Humphreys, Mark Faulkner, Bob Dale, Debbie Barron, Beth Sharp, Sara Loya, Marieta Hauser, and most especially Bene Garcia Sr., who has worked diligently to help us resurrect the bowling alley.”

Kingpin’s opens Friday, August 5, 4pm. Shucks, the new corn vendor, will be set up on Saturday, August 6th from 12pm until they run out of corn.

For more information on bowling leagues, birthday parties, or other events, email Kingpin’s at info@kingpins-ulysses.com, call (620) 675-0603, or find them on Facebook.