Students set to storm bowling night spot

After months of construction, a few union conflicts and opening delays, the new Strikes bowling alley officially opens it doors to University City tonight at 6 p.m.

But some 300 students have already had a sneak preview of what the Locust Street location has to offer.

"It's a cool feeling knowing you are the first person to put on a pair of bowling shoes," said College junior Elise Martin, who bowled two games with her friends as part of the event sponsored by the Junior Class.

"I thought it was a really great place," she said, adding that the bowling shoes were so new that they were completely stiff.

The event was so enjoyable that Martin and her friends are looking forward to another visit.

"My friends and I have already decided to go back," she said.

Engineering junior Kristin Bateman also enjoyed Sunday's event, commenting that the large staff was attentive and prompt despite the crowding.

"There were lines out the door," Bateman said, but the staff was "constantly taking drink orders, trying to make sure we were happy."

Martin said that the establishment felt slightly overstaffed, but Mike Ellis, general manager of Strikes, said that was the plan.

"We had every employee working on Sunday," Ellis said. "We went a little overboard, but that would not be a normal night."

Ellis said that while all 70 employees were present as part of their training, the regular staff consists of 15 workers.

The new venue offers bowling, a restaurant, a bar, pool tables and even Internet hookups for students who want to do work.

Ellis, a veteran of the food service industry, said that the problems encountered thus far have been mostly routine and nothing he hasn't dealt with before.

We've had "issues with the scoring computers, servers learning the buttons on the computers and making sure the food comes out picture-perfect the way I've designed it," Ellis said..

Paul Ryan, the owner of Smokey Joe's, is optimistic about the new bowling lounge.

"I think it will help the whole neighborhood," Ryan said. "It will keep people here."

Ryan thinks the new spot will keep more students on campus who might otherwise go downtown for entertainment.

Martin, a frequent patron of Smokey Joe's, said that the alley will not affect her patronage of other businesses.

"I don't think it will change my going to Smoke's or to the movies," Martin said. "I'll still go. Strikes will just be another part of my evening out."

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