You all have no idea what you are even talking about.  Mr. Hoinke is very much involved in the business along with his kids.  The voters of Ohio voted for a smoking ban which has killed the bowling business.

What have any of you done to make the Westside better? 

Western Bowl has not been sold yet.

You need to get your facts straight before you start bashing people.

 

 

My brother bowls in several leagues throughout the year.  He had given up on Western Bowl several years ago for league bowling, and another friend said that the Hoinke kids aren't running the place as well as it used to be run.

 

True!   Spoiled brats that will run it into the ground before they so much as even think, " Hey, this type of business is not going to be around much longer, ----maybe we should be thinking of something else unique for this locale."

 

Instead, they bash the neighborhood in the same article that they are announcing that they want to sell.    It's good to see children of rich people are so well educated.

 

One of my friends lives in the neighborhood behind Western Bowl.  She had told me a rumor about section 8 several years ago.  I was under the impression that her sources over this information aren't 100% accurate.

 

I promise you, most of the small amount (I think the number is .16% of Green Twp. Saw that chart on another thread on this forum but can't find it again) Sec. 8 houses have been in place for 10-15 years.     The only difference is most of the restaurant/retail jobs along Glenway are hiring more minorities (many of which USE public transportation).    Someone told me that Western Hills Plaza looks rougher this year than in the past.   (and they were basing that solely on the fact of 10-12 people were standing at a bus stop with Kroger, Staples, Taco Bell, and a and a KFC shirt on.)  I'll let you guess what race they were!!!     Plus, half of it is torn down and under construction, thus breathing new life into an area that I will agree desperately needs it.?????????????   What don't some people get?  

 

1st - The new owners of the WHP kicked the buses and their 4-5 stops in the complex out to Glenway 2 years ago. ( hence, why their are more people on the Glenway stops and not in front of Bed Bath & Beyond)

 

2nd - Heaven forbid, any of the families with money in the area (and there are alot) make their kids work in such appalling conditions. :mrgreen: :angel:

You all have no idea what you are even talking about.  Mr. Hoinke is very much involved in the business along with his kids.  The voters of Ohio voted for a smoking ban which has killed the bowling business.

What have any of you done to make the Westside better? 

Western Bowl has not been sold yet.

You need to get your facts straight before you start bashing people.

 

Please enlighten us on the facts! 

We know it hasn't officially been sold yet, but why would you make it public through every media outlet in this town if that were not the intentions?

 

As for What have any of you done to make the Westside better?

 

Well,

We haven't gone to the papers as a businessman claiming that the "bad" neighborhood is why I am considering selling AND not because of the financials of the situation.    That was a very unnecessary comment that has pissed alot of people in the area off. 

 

Obviously, you must not live in the area near the property.

I'm from the east side but western bowl will be missed for sure.  Fun place it was.

First of all it was leaked out not by the Hoinke family.  If you look at all the quotes they were taken from a PBA website not to the media. A letter was finally released due to rumors and quotes taken off of other forums. All I said was to get your facts straight before you spread more rumors. 

 

How could you blame someone for selling a business when business is down due to the smoking ban.  Where are all the families and kids that were supposed to frequent non smoking bowling centers, ask any bowling center owner in the state how bad business is?

 

Lack of business is not caused by spoiled, uneducated, rich kids running it into the ground, as previously stated. How do you know?  All of the Hoinke's live close to Western Bowl.

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but to call people names just shows ignorance.

 

It's just sad that great landmark and a family that has done so much for bowling is being bashed.

 

 

 

For your information, I DO know the Hoinke's and some of the kids as well. 

 

But your right, perhaps I went a little too far with some of those comments about the family right after the release of the 1st article.  I'll admit my wrong doing AND APOLOGISE!      THAT WAS A HEAT OF THE MOMENT RESPONCE.

They took an entire community THAT backed them for decades and threw them under the bus.      And, I haven't read an apology anywhere.

 

 

It's just sad that great landmark and a family that has done so much for bowling is being bashed.

 

I would have agreed with this a couple weeks ago.

I am a Hoinke, so I think I now more about the situation then you think you do.

I will not have any member of my family trashed.

Believe me we did not leak it out or anything.  Imagine my suprise when my 12 year old comes home from school asking if we sold the bowl because he heard from school. 

You don't know us well at all, obviously!!  To act like we don't care is reckless.  That is how rumors start.  Everyone in the family is heartbroken at the prospect of it no longer being around.  May I ask what you would do?  A business that is losing money due to the smoking ban and bowling in general, a company comes in and offers you money and you would refuse?  We all have kids and also need to look ahead for their futures as well. 

To judge our family based on what you think we all feel is pitiful. 

Also, may I ask you how often you bowl there?

Please do not speak on behalf of our family.  Do not imply what we feel and please there is no reason to bash our family to make yourself feel important.

Feel free to ask questions but do not assume you know everything because clearly you do not.

 

Amy Hoinke

 

For your information, I DO know the Hoinke's and the kids as well.  

 

But your right, perhaps I went a little too far with some of those comments about the family right after the release of the 1st article. I'll admit my wrong doing.

 

They took an entire community THAT backed them for decades and threw them under the bus. And, I haven't read an apology anywhere.

 

 

It's just sad that great landmark and a family that has done so much for bowling is being bashed.

 

I would have agreed with this a couple weeks ago.

"May I ask what you would do?  A business that is losing money due to the smoking ban and bowling in general, a company comes in and offers you money and you would refuse?  We all have kids and also need to look ahead for their futures as well."

 

Personally, my neighbors and I hold no grudges against turning this property into something more viable than it is presently (Present owners of not).    I agree the smoking ban and the general popularity of bowling has had it's negative effects on the business and I don't blame the powers that be for exploring their options.    These are things we can't change!!!  I have had many GOOD memories from the 80's and 90's, but I personally have not stepped foot inside within the past decade.  The decision of a possible sale is not what most people are mad about.    It is the manner in which the 1st newspaper article (http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/06/02/story4.html) places blame on the surrounding community for it's downfall.  CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

 

"This is not a done deal; however, it is an offer that is extremely attractive and will be hard to pass up if all the pieces fall into place," wrote Russ Hoinke in a May 15 post on a Pro Bowlers Association message board. "The Hoinke Tournament is still successful and fortunately is not the problem.  Open bowling is way down, league bowling is terrible and the surrounding area is getting worse. These factors have all contributed to us exploring other options."

 

 

Do you think that is fair to other business owners in the area?

Do you think that is fair to other property owners and their PROPERTY VALUES surrounding the Alley?

Can you provide any evidence that the area has gotten worse?

 

Green Twp. crime stats has inched up a fraction of a percent within the past decade.  That is outstanding considering the added 10,000+ extra residents brought in within that time PLUS the changing demographics.  That same mentality that the area is getting worse is what has been hidering MANY other communities throughout the city.    This type of negativity DOES NOTHING TO HELP THE SITUATION.  In fact, it will only fuel local media to focus on that as the trigger.   

 

For decades the Hoinke's have been considered Pillars of the community!            I thought this too!

So how would you expect people to feel when one of their most prominant businessmen SLAPS them in the face with a comment like this?

 

For most people, thier home is thier biggest investment.   

So what does this say to those people?     

 

Should we all put our houses up for sale and run?

 

I can tell you my husband did not mean anything negative by the comment he made on the PBA website.  The comment was given to bowlers that were hammering us about the possible sale of the bowl.

The newspapers, television, and other media got the info from the website.  At no point did my husband tell anyone from the media the area is declining, it's unsafe, or anything else.  What he typed as a response on a forum has been taken out of context and the media ran away with it.  I am sure no one has ever made a mistake in how they responsed to a question, or typed anything in a forum that they wished they wouldn't have?  Didn't you just do that in saying things about my family?

We have invested money in Green Township with Western Commons and hopefully in the future we can add more places.  I am sure all the tax dollars from Kohl's, Meijers,McDonalds,etc... and Western Bowl have benefited the community. 

You assume that we think the area is on a decline, when that is not the case at all.  We all live near the bowl, our kids go to school near the bowl, we shop near the bowl, our Dr.s are near the bowl.  The Hoinkes are part of the Westside and the tradition that goes along with it. 

I just don't like the message you are trying to convey and I also think the media was wrong in taking quotes from a forum without interviewing the person and talking to them first, or going throught the forum to see what was said, instead it is let's pick out the negative and run with it. 

 

To answer a few questions.

So is fair to other business owners?  We do own other businesses and would love to see the area grow, the property values directly affect us as well, in business and our homes.

You seem to imply we live somewhere other then the Westside.  Do you have evidence the property values have declined?  Haven't they increased? 

 

As far as crime. I guess you have those figures don't you?  We try to keep Western Bowl safe but crime does seem to happen everywhere. It doesn't matter where you live.

 

As far as saying my husband slapped the people in the face, that is low.I could say the same to you.  It is a slap in the face to us, you used to bowl but no longer do.  When people do not frequent their neighborhood  businesses and then they go under or are sold, people get so upset.  Frequent  your neighbors places.  I can tell you, we try to eat at local owned places, use a small Mom and Pop pharmacy and try what we can so local owners are not forced to go under.  When local businesses go under then your property value goes down.  We are trying build so OURS and YOUR proprety values go up and business thrives!!!

 

Amy Hoinke

I can understand and respect your thoughts (and agree) regarding the media.    They do none of us on the westside any favors when it comes to Headlines.   

 

I am sure no one has ever made a mistake in how they responded to a question, or typed anything in a forum that they wished they wouldn't have?  Didn't you just do that in saying things about my family?

 

I can honestly say I stand completely corrected on any comments I made about any member of your family.    Like I said before, that was a heat of the moment response and I am sorry. 

Do you have evidence the property values have declined?  Haven't they increased?  

 

Mine's increased, that's what surprised me deep down about the comment.

 

Frequent  your neighbors places.

 

Preaching to the choir here, but won't disagree with you that maybe I need to stop in for at least a beer at the bar.    I have lost that bowling urge I had back in high school, but will entertain the option.

 

 

 

Look, apparently we have gotten a little crossed up in language over the better part of a page on a thread  that is suppose to showcase the good things happening over here.    It's clear our ideology for this area might not be so different after all.  I hope my (non diplomatic) comments after the article broke are not a representation of any other forumers or this site.  There are many people on this site (including me) who feel community involvement is that community's biggest strength and asset.

 

Please don't hesitate to pop back in and make sure we have our facts straight here.    I wish you all the luck!

 

 

I would like to apologize also.  Obviously, this whole fiasco concerning Western Bowl is devastating to the entire Hoinke family.  I don't think we would consider ourselves pillars of the community, however I think if you asked any school, soccer team, baseball team, etc you would find out that Western Bowl donates to all of them.  The Hoinke family will NEVER leave the Westside.  We were born here, raised here and god willing years from now will die here.  This is such a hot topic with the family, we have a tendency to be over protective of not just our business, but our family too.  Oakiehigh, I will guarantee you that if you stop in and ask for Russell, he will not only listen to what you have to say, but will probably buy you a beer while he listens.  I married into this family knowing nothing about bowling.  I do know how much they care for the business and how heartbroken they all would be if Western Bowl does fall under the wrecking ball.

 

I do know how much they care for the business and how heartbroken they all would be if Western Bowl does fall under the wrecking ball.

 

 

I would absolutely hate to see it go as well, but can understand all the factors that will ultimately dictate it.    I just hope you guys see the amazing opportunity that has hit the upper portion of Glenway within the past year.  We are having businesses move out and new ones moving in.  Older buildings coming down being replaced by better modern buildings.  The Landscape itself is changing more now than over the past 20 years collectively (See previous pages).  I see this as a special opportunity that owners and residents alike need to embrace and be a part of.  The housing stock is in great shape but our business corridors are very outdated and need some TLC (with special attention to walkability).  The current economic conditions have made neighborhoods like ours seem much more desireable than they did just 6 months ago.  For too long, people over here have thought that our proximity to downtown would be our ultimate downfall.  That very reason might just be what helps encourage ECONOMIC REINVESTMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT in a stagnant business corridor ($4 gas prices). 

 

I appreciate the invite and may just stop in soon.    Thanks for adding your side to this topic and I hope you keep us updated on your progress.  I would much rather hear any future news (albeit sale or no sale) from you over any newpaper.

I hope business has picked up and stays up for these guys!!    Great news!

 

Western Bowl won't close

By John Eckberg • [email protected] • August 19, 2008

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/BIZ01/308180046

 

our economy may very well  be working in favor of businesses like bowling which is relatively cheap for a group of friends to pass time with and can make a killing on any connected business like alcohol sales or vending. personally I like madison bowl but hey good for western!

 

 

Monday, August 25, 2008

GENERAL CUSTER'S ANNOUNCES THE MIRACLE RIDE HAS ARRIVED! WALK ON WATER IN AQUA BALLS

Contributed By KEITH HEINLEIN

 

GENERAL CUSTER'S GOLF & GULP ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX HAS JUST RECEIVED THE NEW MIRACLE (A DRY/WATER AMUSEMENT) ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS' KIND IN THE UNITED STATES. THE MIRACLE IS TO WALK ON WATER THE 21ST CENTURY WAY IN AQUA BALLS! A VIDEO CAN BE SEEN ON THE WEBSITE WWW.GENERALCUSTERS.COM ALSO THE CONTEST WINNER FOR THE FIRST RIDER-MAX SCHROEDER'S YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK IS

 

 

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THESE AQUA BALLS IN THE U.S. THEY ARE BIG IN CHINA AND JUST ENTERED EUROPE AND NOW HERE IN WESTERN HILLS/CINCINNATI. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH A LAND VERSION CALLED ZORBITS, AQUA BALLS ARE MUCH MORE FUN. YOU CAN SEE AND RIDE THEM DAILY. GENERAL CUSTER'S OTHER FEATURES (2) 18 HOLE MINIATURE GOLF COURSES, A CREAMY WHIP WITH THE BEST ICECREAM IN TOWN, A GAME ROOM AND NEW GAMES JUST ADDED AND THE FAMOUS BATTLE PADDLE BOATS WITH SQUIRT CANNONS.

CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR DAILY TIMES AND PICTURES.

OPEN FROM MARCH TO NOVEMBER 4TH, 2008. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

GENERAL CUSTER'S GOLF & GULP ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

3325 WESTBOURNE DR. (IN WESTERN BOWLS SOUTH PARKING LOT)

CINCINNATI OHIO 45248

PH#513-922-9120

 

 

 

Western Bowls rolls along with fall leagues

 

Time is running out for fall league bowling sign-ups at Western Bowl.

 

Weeknight league play started Aug. 25 and runs throughout the week. While one weekend fall league starts Friday, Aug. 29, most of the sign-ups for weekend league action start the weekend after Labor Day.

 

Bottom line: If you want to slam some pins in weeknight league competition at Western Bowl this fall, you have to get in by Aug. 31.

 

That Aqua Balls thing is going in the water spot that used to be bumper boats I assume.  That thing is disgusting...it is never cleaned/maintained much like the rest of the General Custer's complex.

The 'Aqua Ball' looks like the biggest waste of money ever.

Leave it to a westsider to make a YouTube video of this in the year 2008 and use song tracks from Jock Jams Vol. 2...oy does this video conjure up bad summer-time memories from the westside.

^lol I just like the kid lying in the deflated plastic ball in the fetal position waiting for the thing to inflate...sure makes me want to get in a plastic ball and jump in some water...

Randy, did you get picked on alot while you were over here? :wink:  Wedgies, Swirlies, etc.etc.

 

I can tell their is some pent up RaGe just itching to get out!!

^lol I just like the kid lying in the deflated plastic ball in the fetal position waiting for the thing to inflate...sure makes me want to get in a plastic ball and jump in some water...

 

That's funny because I thought the same exact thing.

 

Randy, did you get picked on alot while you were over here? :wink:   Wedgies, Swirlies, etc.etc.

 

I can tell their is some pent up RaGe just itching to get out!!

 

No it just reminds me of the schmucks I had to deal with when I worked at a pool growing up.  I wasn't picked on, but it did make for some equally bad memories.

lol

Western Bowl to close

By Carrie Whitaker • [email protected] • January 18, 2009

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090118/NEWS01/901180423

 

GREEN TWP. -- It appears the 52nd year at Western Bowl will be its last.

 

The owners of Western Bowl have decided to close the West Side mainstay May 1, confirmed employee Jason Vandermark, who has spent a decade working at the bowling alley.

 

On a "sort of" busy Saturday night, Vandermark said the economy, the smoking ban and a lagging interest in the sport are to blame.

That's really, really sad. Goodbye, West Side institution.

In all honesty I don't think they made much of an effort to stay relevant post-smoking ban.  They haven't really put a dime into the place for decades and it shows.  It's unfortunate, maybe someone else will buy it and give it a good renovation to keep bowling around.  It's a massive complex.

It will be interesting to see if buisiness stays strong or increases at Stumps (13 lanes) or Glenmore Bowl (maybe 6-7 lanes)for that matter.

Stumps maybe, but I don't think most people even know Glenmore exists. Del-Fair Lanes may also see an increase along with Colerain Bowl.

 

In all honesty Western Bowl was a mega-draw with people/groups from UC regularly using it as their bowling spot. This may open up a market for one of those trendy bowling lanes like Lucky Strikes to open up somewhere near the university or downtown (cough, The Banks).

 

Just check out the interior photos of this place...this would be one helluv an upgrade if we could land a place like this instead (although there is no chance in hell it would locate on the westside).

http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/about/photos/

It will be interesting to see if buisiness stays strong or increases at Stumps (13 lanes) or Glenmore Bowl (maybe 6-7 lanes)for that matter.

 

I imagine the owners of Stumps are dancing on the streets at this news. It should be a boon for them. It is, after all, the closest Bowling Alley to the soon to be closed Western Bowl.

 

Also the Aqua Ball.... wow.

RIP, Western Bowl.

Wow, this sucks.  :cry:  I'm going to have to make it in one more time before it shuts down.  I'd like to point out that poor management in recent years really hurt this place.  They used to be 24/7 and had awesome bowling specials Sunday through Thursday.  I think that 10PM to Midnight was $5 and Midnight to 3AM was $7.  I can't speak for other times, but that place was always slammed for those 5 hours.  My friends and I used to bowl there all the time during college, and sometimes we had trouble even getting a lane for the midnight bowl.  Then they cut back on hours and killed those 2 specials.  So we've probably been there 3 times in the last 5 years.  Sorry to se it finally close, though.

Oakiehigh and to the rest of you, it is indeed true and we had no other option but to close.  There were several contributing factors that went into this decision...

 

1. [*]Bowling Business is down due to the smoking ban.

[*]Bowling business is down due to the economy.

[*]It takes a lot of money to run a 68 lane center.

[*]We tried to  refinance with the local bank we dealt with for over 40 years but they were unwilling to extend the loan out so monthly costs could be reduced (some bailout !!!)

 

The first time this was leaked out, there was a deal we were thinking of taking.  As true Westsiders my family couldn't bring themselves to tear the place down.  Everyone was up in arms but no one came in to support the business.

 

This came down not for our family making money but losing money for the years.  We have all put our own money back into it to keep it open and we can't do it anymore.  It is sad.

 

Please believe me when I say there have been sleepless months and tears you can not even imagine within the family.  We are all heartbroken!!

 

It is sad when there is a government bailout for financial institutions so they can give loans.  Let me tell you banks are not willing to give out loans.  There are no future plans at this point.  Cancun's will stay open even after May 1st. We are trying to figure out what we can do with Western Bowl.  We have lost a member of our family and it is an extremely difficult time for our whole family.

 

Amy Hoinke

 

EDIT: Formatting

^Thanks for the information.

^^And thanks for making such a great bowling alley available for so long.  It wasn't just people on the west side who appreciated it, as we drove in from KY routinely during our college years (30+ minutes each way).  Sorry to see it go, as it had the highest quality lanes in town for sure.

I wish you guys the best Amy!!!    Thanks!

Thank you all for your support. 

Let me say it has been a rough few months.  Our kids are so upset because that is their favorite place to be along with a number of people and it truly breaks my heart.  There are a lot of people so upset with our family right now and if they just understood the business side not the sentimental side of the issue perhaps they would not criticize us.

 

I don't know what will happen but as soon as I do I promise to let you all know hopefully before the media does.  The local media has been a disaster throughout the last 7 months.

 

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart to each and everyone of you that have supported our family and Western Bowl.  We have heard so many great memories that people have of the bowl and it helps us all to hear them.

 

Hopefully, we can get involved in other business ventures or building to draw and keep business on the Westside.  As a former Eastsider I have grown to love the Westside and consider it my home and I would love to see the area thrive.

 

Thanks Again!!!

 

Amy Hoinke

Alley's closing 'a sign of the times'

By Quan Truong • [email protected] • January 20, 2009

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090120/NEWS01/901200324

 

GREEN TWP. - Erv Hoinke has some explaining to do.

 

As news spreads of his recent decision to shut down Western Bowl, one customer after another has approached either Hoinke or an employee, asking the same question: "Why?"

 

"We've tried really hard to make it work," said Hoinke, owner of the West Side landmark. "But there just isn't enough business. People just don't see the value in bowling anymore, I guess."

I'm no bowling businessman or anything, but with all the changes occuring in the economy (i.e. economic downturn, smoking ban) it didn't seem like there were any visible changes to the business model for Western Bowl.  My first notion is that if your customer base and economic climate is changing, then you better make some business changes as well to stay relevant.

Man, Hindsight's 20/20!            We can play Monday Morning QB all day long, but for businesses like these, how long do/can you hold out in the current economic conditions.  Throw in all the negative predictions you hear for '09 and possibly '10 and beyond. 

 

This might be the tip of the iceburg! 

 

Societies needs and priorities are going to change in a "tighter" credit world.

Many entertainment businesses might not be left standing after this is done.  Movie theaters might be the next to start closing in large numbers.

 

How long it takes us ALL to evolve and who's left standing is going to be the million dollar question.   

I'm no bowling businessman or anything, but with all the changes occuring in the economy (i.e. economic downturn, smoking ban) it didn't seem like there were any visible changes to the business model for Western Bowl.

 

Sadly Rando, I think the change in business model is eliminating bowling and doing something else with the space.

 

When I was younger I worked at a bowling alley back in Florida. Times were already brutal, even though there was a huge economic boom back then. They could barely afford to keep the machines running properly. As mentioned, the decline in league bowlers was a huge problem and all anyone in management ever talked about. Also, Florida issued a smoking ban earlier than Ohio and it also destroyed business. American smokers might be down to 20% of the population, but it's those 20% who bowl. Smoking bans help kill bowling alleys.

 

Regardless, it's the decline of league bowling that's caused the biggest pain. In recent years, bowling alleys had stopped the bleeding with "Cosmic Bowling" and other similar gimmicks. The place I worked ONLY turned a profit on Friday and Saturday nights after 9pm. It lost money every other second it was open. But as fads fade, so does the money from Cosmic Bowling.

 

I'm sure smaller alleys or mixed-use facilities can keep bowling profitable. But I'm shocked and impressed that they kept a 68 lane facility open for this long. They must be very dedicated and resourceful owners. I'm sad to hear that some jerks are angry at them for closing. It's easy to complain when you aren't the one losing your money.

 

Hoinke spoke to Cunningham yesterday (I know you were all listening  :-D), and he said that the smoking ban hurt them because prior to the ban, the bowlers would come 1/2-1 hour early, have a few drinks and smokes, then after bowling, they would stay and drink for a while.  Now they come in time to bowl, then go home to smoke.

I love the Western Bowl but that part of Glenway is a sprawling dump and I now have no reason to venture into that traffic.  I am not happy they are closing at all.  Bowling is a great family time activity, and Western Bowl is a great facility.  Hoinke says the land is more valuable than the business, which makes me wonder what kind of big box shopping will replace this?

Bowling leagues are actually fairly expensive, especially when you factor in the beer.  When I was in high school I was in a league at Brentwood, our team sucked, and I was always buying 5 beers for the other team as a result even though I was 17, which killed my meager finances.  The whole damn alley was full of guys regularly bowling over 200 and rarely under 150.  It's incredible how many good bowlers there are out there, and damn near all of them smoked.  I think that league I was in went on for something ridiculous like 40 weeks.           

I'm no bowling businessman or anything, but with all the changes occuring in the economy (i.e. economic downturn, smoking ban) it didn't seem like there were any visible changes to the business model for Western Bowl.  My first notion is that if your customer base and economic climate is changing, then you better make some business changes as well to stay relevant.

 

You have no idea what we tried.  We made leagues shorter, we had incentives, pot games and larger money awards.

We had a summer special that we gave away thousands of dollars of prizes.

We have tried to gear things for families, like family specials with pizza and drinks.  Families were supposed to flock in after the smoking ban, remember?  We held more family leagues.

 

The smoking ban decreased our business by bar sales, pool and people that moved to center where they could smoke.

Plus the fact people don't want to be tied down and commit to a long period of time by bowling in leagues, why we shortened some.

My husband and I put out over 2000 fliers in neighborhoods for short leagues with friends and family, out of 2000 we received 0.

If you look at any bowling site the whole bowling business is down, period!  The smoking ban hurt us!  The economy,people do not go out like they did has hurt us!

 

We have tries to get a loan to help out through these tough months with no luck!  First through the local bank who has made millions of of us over the past 50 years. We have millions in property for collateral, Western Commons with Meijer's, Kohl's, McDonalds, etc... to put up as collateral no luck.  As for the bailout I don't know who it has helped. 

 

It saddens me to see people who don't have a clue what we have done put us down.

 

If you knew how many tears have been shed by all of us you would be shocked.  It has been in our family and thought it was recession proof, it wasn't!

The Hoinke family has done so much for bowling all over the the U.S. feel free to check and see.

 

The Hoinke Classic and Western Bowl has given back to the community in a number of ways, not just financially.

We continue to do that with Western Commons.

 

I have no idea what will happen to the property, time will tell.

 

Rando, if you have any ideas to get us out of this financial crisis feel free to post them.

 

To the rest of you thank you for your well wishes and appreciation for what we have done for the West Side!

 

Amy Hoinke

Amy I don't think you should expect people to tip toe around so they don't hurt your feelings, I don't think Rando said anything out of line.

 

That said, I enjoyed Western Bowl in my high school days, it was a fantastic place to hang out. Top it off with a late night meal at Perkins and I'll always remember your establishment fondly. Best of luck to your family in your future endeavors.

Yeah, I definitely wasn't trying to offend you...I just didn't see many visible changes in the way things were run pre-smoking ban and post-smoking ban.  If a customer, who is familiar with your product, can't notice much in the way of visible changes then how could someone less familiar notice?

 

I worked at Western Bowl for a short time as a score monitor for the Hoike Classic tournaments each weekend.  The tournys brought in a good deal of people, but I felt then that more could have been done to capitalize one the premier bowling alley in Cincinnati status Western Bowl always held.

 

Like I mentioned before, maybe some updates to the plastic-mold seats, ball returns, scoring machines/screens and that sort of thing would have helped.  I understand that it may not have made much sense to pour money into the place after the smoking ban was enacted, but these seemed to be general maintenance things that were looked over for many years.  Trust me, I'm not the only person in Cincinnati who feels that Western Bowl, and our other bowling alleys, could do much more in order to clean up their appearance.

 

Maybe one day I'll get into the bowling business, but probably not.  I know bowling doesn't hold the spot in our society it once had, but I still think there is a market to be served out there.

Bowling is a tough nut to crack, because it actually isn't all that cheap if you want to roll more than a couple games. It sounds like Western Bowl was hurt by its size (and design) since you couldn't really downsize the place without totally ruining the atmosphere. We used to bowl at like 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Great times. It is also clear that the money was made on the hard-core folks who smoked and drank and the rest of the bowlers were just profit - which is how many businesses operate. This also probably speaks to changes in the culture of the westside.

dmerkow, you are correct, running a 68 lanes bowling center is difficult.  A smaller place would mean a cut in costs. It takes money to change molded seats and other updates.  It is so easy for everyone to say "well if you could have done this or that" when you are not in the business.  Bowling will always be around but the decline is incredible, open bowling and one time bowlers are up but leagues are way down.  There was an article in the Wall Street Journal talking about the decline of bowling and how it is moving towards small upscale bar types like Luck Strikes.

 

I apologize, I need to get a thicker skin, we are just getting hounded by everyone and some attacks have been personal. (not on here)

 

There is a market for a smaller centers but I can tell you all the large centers in and around the area are all looking at a way to get out of the business, whether it be to sell their land or business.

 

Amy Hoinke 

Amy, you know how westsiders are!  They know everything and have the answers for everything!  Hard to believe that your business has been down because of molded plastic seats!

I'm speaking from the perspective of a customer.  I'm offering my criticisms along with potential solutions that could have solved those issues.  I'm not sure what the problem is with that...seems like constructive criticism to me.

Just trying to qualify your experiences.  Were you a weekly patron who quit going because of conditions?