You can’t miss it when you first drive into Hollister
– and just about everyone in town still refers to it
affectionately as
”
the bowling alley.
”
You can’t miss it when you first drive into Hollister – and just about everyone in town still refers to it affectionately as “the bowling alley.”
Recent rumor has Hollister Family Bowl, with its adjoining The Ticket sports bar, being sold and shutting down.
Fortunately, we have heard otherwise and are hoping that the optimistic news of a potential sale to current manager Don Rovella will be announced soon.
Hollister Family Bowl has been an important landmark in Hollister and San Benito County. How many local folks can point to a day or night there while growing up?
Generations have bowled or had fun there, and we hope that tradition continues.
Recently, Rovella and his staff have done a terrific job, not only at the bowling alley itself, but with the food quality and service, the sports and entertainment bar, parking and overall safety.
The renewed efforts have reportedly resulted in business increasing and more and more kids and adults making it a fun place to stop and compete – or watch the big games – on a regular basis.
It would be a near-tragedy to see it shut down.
There are not a lot of places in Hollister for young people to safely hang out, especially in the colder months, and parents just have to look at their children’s faces to know that a trip to the bowling alley is a special one, indeed.
Adults get a chance to dust off the stress of their daily routines and compete with friends in leagues or as groups or individuals.
Local sports fans, who like a beer or two and a sandwich while watching their favorite team on the big screen and the many other televisions, would also be shut out.
Let’s hope Rovella gets the chance to purchase Hollister Family Bowl, which would not only give it local ownership but put it squarely in the hands of someone who cares about and respects its place in the community.
“The bowling alley” is important in too many ways to simply be a part of Hollister and San Benito County history.
