Laraway Lanes reopens with new owners

NEW LENOX -- After about three decades on the local bowling scene, Country Lanes Bowling Center is now rolling into Laraway Lanes.

The new name is only one of the changes that new owners are hoping to strike not only in the world of keglers, but also in the community.

Former New Lenox Park Board Commissioner Ray Stawick and his wife Lynette have had an interest in the place for about a year now. He tried to talk the former owners into purchasing stock in the business but could not get enough of the stockholders to agree.

"I thought we were done," Stawick said. "Then we started talking to Bill Bolker."

Bolker, owner of Lincoln-Way Builders, also owned the building that housed the bowling alley at 1009 W. Laraway Road. When Jerry Davern, one of Bolker's employees, also expressed an interest in the building, he put the three interested parties together and a deal was made.

On Oct. 7, history was made when the three took over the more than 23,000-square-foot facility.

"We are doing a lot of cleaning and updating," Stawick said.

One of the first changes was the replacement of old ceiling tiles. Plans call for the installation of new overhead scoreboards, as well.

"We have been lucky to hire Bud Barta, who was the original mechanic from 1978 to 2008," Stawick said. "We also kept Sheri Reeves, who has worked here for many years."

Leagues still occupy some of the lanes. Some have left during the transition but have promised to return.

"Our main focus is on league play and to provide more open bowling," Stawick said. "Our secondary focus is on the bar. We hope in the future to provide entertainment."

Stawick hopes the new overhead scoreboards will be ready to bring back the Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot that the new owners hope to revive. Stawick said the old jukebox is now working, and on Oct. 15 the business received its new liquor license.

"We had one weekend with no beer for our leagues," Stawick said. "We had to wait for the license before we could serve any alcohol."

Recently, the business received its permit from the Will County Health Department to run the kitchen. Stawick said they will be serving the usual bowling alley fare of fast foods at first, with plans to add healthier alternatives as the business grows.

Lynette will be in charge of the kitchen, while Stawick and Davern share front desk and other operational duties.

"Our goal is to look for ways to attract more families and make bowling affordable for them to come out and spend a couple of hours," Stawick said. "I could not help but notice that our area parks have been busier than ever with families looking for places to spend time without spending a lot of money."

Making their mark in the community and giving back to others is also important to the new owners of Laraway Lanes. Their goal, after finishing up the rehab, is to look for ways to host charitable events to raise money for honorable causes, such as helping the New Lenox Food Pantry, the military and the Special Recreation Association, to name a few.

Stawick wants people to know that birthday parties, candlelight bowls and other scheduled activities will go on at Laraway Lanes. Their new telephone number is 815-485-5177.