Iconic Needham Bowlaway is throwback household enjoyable

The sound of bowling balls crashing into the candlepins on the Needham Bowlaway could be deafening. That was the case final Sunday when all eight lanes within the comparatively tiny area have been in use by bowlers ranging in age from 3 to 70, with music blasting and lights flashing. You’d by no means know all this pleasant chaos was occurring by strolling by 16 Chestnut St. There, an unassuming signal is positioned over a slender doorway resulting in the Bowlaway, which has been there for greater than a century.

Owner Zach Sundberg says it’s not unusual for somebody to stroll in saying, “I’ve lived in this town for many years and I didn’t know you were here.” “Walking in” really consists of strolling down a set of stairs to a basement and the low-ceilinged bowling alley. It brings again earlier instances when middle-age males have been there to gamble, bowl and smoke cigars. 

But the clientele is now completely completely different. The Needham Bowlaway is a household setting the place kids, mother and father and grandparents create a loud, energetic and enjoyable atmosphere. Todd Dambrauskas of Wellesley stated it was a “great way to spend an hour on Sunday” and his spouse, Gail, concurred, “Anything to entertain my kid is what I like, so it’s great. It’s nice that it’s old-school, too. Nostalgic.” Their 3-year-old daughter, Charley, was having a blast because the bumpers alongside the alley saved her from getting gutter balls.

The Bowlaway is the oldest bowling alley in Metro Boston and Sundberg relishes its historical past. He proudly referenced the women’ room, which was the primary one in a bowling alley; constructed in any case the boys went to serve in World War II and solely girls have been round to bowl. 

Coming from a household of bowlers, Sundberg additionally is aware of loads about candlepin bowling, which began in Worcester in 1880 and is just discovered within the northeast, Nova Scotia and Denmark. Candlepin makes use of a lot smaller balls than tenpin bowling. The tall, slender pins are much less more likely to collide and knock one another over, so bowlers roll three balls per spherical. Sundberg, whose mom was the primary president of the International Candlepin Bowling Association, stated tenpin bowling got here after candlepin when folks determined they’d get a better rating and have extra enjoyable through the use of larger balls and fatter pins. 

Bowling runs within the Sundberg household. Zach’s grandfather and uncle went to high school in Needham however the household moved to Acton to purchase and run a bowling alley constructed by a farmer within the Fifties. The Acton Bowladrome, now full with a restaurant and arcade, is run by his brother. In 2011, Zach, who was in graphic design on the time, seized a chance to purchase the Needham Bowlaway, making candlepin a very household affair.

For some, candlepin is a hyperlink to the previous with sentimental worth. Catherine Richardi of Newton stated she and her household come right here on a regular basis. Her deceased sister, Michelle, who was born with Down syndrome, had belonged to a candlepin league and she or he had the entire household bowling on a regular basis. “Before she passed away, we were able to have her bowl with my older son, Dimitri, and now it’s a passion for our family in memory of her.” 

Although there are some grownup bowling leagues that use the Bowlaway, Sundberg stated kids’s birthday events are his bread and butter and one of the best promoting for his enterprise. He stated it’s laborious to advertise to youngsters as they have a tendency to not have disposable revenue, however after they do have events for teenagers, these children have one of the best time. 

Sundberg stated he’s not getting wealthy proudly owning the Bowlaway (the lanes are $36 an hour) however he will get to be his personal boss. “People come here to have fun and that’s more than you can say for a lot of jobs.” He stated the enterprise is recession-proof as households have a tendency to remain native when the economic system is dangerous. He’s been in a position to faucet into a few of his previous job expertise by creating the software program for the Bowlaway’s scoring system and establishing partnerships with native companies comparable to Hearth Pizzeria. 

Sundberg needed to emphasise he’s not a ghost story particular person, however there’s some spooky lore surrounding the place, together with a entrance door that opens and closes and a few scary noises coming from the again of the alley. “I think a lot of it is explained by when the door is unlocked and the geometry of the entrance way is such that when cars drive by the door opens and closes.” 

Sundberg lives in Acton however spends a lot time in Needham he considers himself “a townie” in two cities. And he’s proud his enterprise is a household place that continues the custom of candlepin bowling. He doesn’t essentially need the enterprise to get too fashionable in order that he can accommodate everybody who exhibits up. After all, there are solely eight lanes, a part of the Bowlaway’s old-time appeal.

Don Ryan of Newton loved his first time on the Bowlaway on Sunday. “The last time I did this was 40 years ago. I think it’s a great activity for families. Everyone can do it.” And his granddaughter, Maya, echoed that sentiment. “I thought it would be hard to do this, but it’s easier than I thought. I only wish there were more chairs … there are six of us!”

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