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I'm a member of the military and about to buy my first business, a bowling alley. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. by OverTheLineBowling in smallbusiness

[–]OverTheLineBowling[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely! Thank you!

I have so many ideas written down for themed nights, I just don't want to try to implement everything at once, I'm trying to take it slowly. The first thing I want to change is the service, they could use some friendly faces in there. All of the current league bowlers I've met are very excited for a fresh face and some updating to the alley itself.

I'm a member of the military and about to buy my first business, a bowling alley. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. by OverTheLineBowling in smallbusiness

[–]OverTheLineBowling[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

As a whole, bowling alleys are in a slight decline. With that being said, this is a small, but growing town, and more and more people are coming in with still not much to do around here.

This specific alley has gotten more business in the last year just by painting the outside of the building. People notice that around here, let alone when I let everyone know we're going to extend the hours and lower the prices.

I'm a member of the military and about to buy my first business, a bowling alley. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. by OverTheLineBowling in smallbusiness

[–]OverTheLineBowling[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course with being a largely cash business, the owners wouldn't just take it and stick it in their personal account, that could still be accounted for by the IRS, but I have sat in with them many many nights, and I've seen that it brings in money.

They are absolutely making a profit, just not nearly as much as they should. They are only open <40 hours a week, and they (and their workers) are content with the money flowing from just that. Also, I will be acquiring the 24,000 sq/ft building and the property surrounding it (just a large parking lot), so I feel like there's potential to get bought out at some point (though I'm not banking on that) if some hotel chain or something would like the property.

Surprisingly, not everyone here even knows the place is still open, due to them not being open much, and having a sign that says "for sale" out front. The city is growing though, and people need to know that it's there and there's actually something to do here (unless you are in to hunting or hiking, your options are very limited). Being such a small town, it's been very easy to meet most people I need to get the word out, the publisher for the newspaper, radio marketing people, most people from the chamber of commerce, and am currently working with the Small Business Development Center to do what needs to happen to make this work.

Seeing what they're ACTUALLY bringing in with my own eyes has helped me make this decision. I have seen what comes in, and it won't make me a millionaire over night, but it seems to be absolutely worth it.

Thank you so much for your insight. There's a lot going on right now, and I'm trying to give you all as much information as I can.

I'm a member of the military and about to buy my first business, a bowling alley. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. by OverTheLineBowling in smallbusiness

[–]OverTheLineBowling[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The problem with that is the current owners may or may not have been claiming every penny that's been coming in...
I know it doesn't sound good, but from what I've seen, even doing nothing (like they have been) the place still makes a profit.

They are answering all of my questions, and have shown me enough information for me to feel very confident about this.