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1600 Hylan Boulevard Staten Island, NY 10305   |   Phone: 718-979-1600    

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SI Advance: Island bowling center managers breathe sigh of relief as alleys get OK to open on Monday

August 15, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

They are oiling up the lanes and getting the rental shoes ready at the borough’s two bowling centers.

After a nearly five-month stoppage of play because of the coronavirus pandemic, Showplace Entertainment Center and Rab’s Country Lanes will re-open for business on Monday. Hundreds of Island bowlers, who have been shut down since mid-March, are expected to show up for open bowling (non-league sessions).

“We’re pretty excited and are looking forward to starting a new season,” said Showplace manager Vinny D’Ambrosio III.

“We got the word … and we’re very excited,” said Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor Frank Wilkinson. “While we would have loved some additional notice, we will be ready to roll in the coming week.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the news Friday afternoon, but there will be plenty of social-distancing measures in place.

For starters, bowling centers may only run at 50% maximum occupancy. Plus, only every other lane inside the establishment can be utilized at any given time and patrons must stay with their party at their designated lane at all times.

“I don’t disagree with the 50% capacity,” said D’Ambrosio, who says the Travis center will open its doors Monday morning. “You have to start somewhere. Of course, safety is our main concern. We’ll open up and play it by ear.”

No food or alcohol will be served inside the two centers. Food can be served outside if there is outside dining.

Patrons must wear face coverings.

In addition, bowling alleys must also implement cleaning and disinfecting protocols specific to the use of sharing bowling balls and shoes.

That won’t be a problem for management the Island’s two centers, who last month told the Advance they have already put most of those protocols in place.

Wilkinson says he planning a soft re-opening Monday and Tuesday, before he goes full-steam ahead as they get set for the new bowling season which starts the first week of September. The previous season was cut short by about 10 weeks because of the pandemic and there were no summer leagues as bowling centers remained closed.

“Our team will be working diligently over the weekend to prepare for our re-opening. We will formally announce our plans via our website, bowlatrabs.com and social media as we put all the pieces together in the coming days that will also include availability, hours of operation, how to reserve lanes, and expectations upon arrival,” said Wilkinson. “We’re not sure what to expect. We know people can’t wait to be out and about doing their thing and using us as their outlet to get away from everyday life and know we will be prepared. We also know that there are many people who are still hesitant to go out in public.”

“Some people will come (to bowl) and we will be happy to service them,” said D’Ambrosio of the re-opening at Showplace. “We will come in Monday morning and get everything set up and see how it goes.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, community, cuomo, nyc, rabs, small business, staten island

WPIX11: Bowling alleys reopen Monday, NYC museums, cultural institutions can reopen Aug. 24, Cuomo says

August 14, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By: Kristine Garcia, Mark Sundstrom, Greg Mocker
WPIX 11 News | Click Here for the Full Story & Video

NEW YORK — As New York continues to make great strides in fighting the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Cuomo announced Friday several industries, such low-risk indoor activities in New York City and bowling alleys will be able to reopen within the month.

Bowling alleys can reopen beginning Aug. 17 at 50% occupancy, Cuomo announced.

Only every other lane can be opened, parties must stay in their lanes and face coverings are required.

Food and drinks will not be available inside at bowling alleys, according to an updated news release from the governor’s office.

Low-risk cultural institutions in NYC, including museums and aquariums can reopen on Aug. 24, Cuomo said.

They must remain at a 25% maximum occupancy. Timed ticketing will also be required with staggered entry and traffic flow must be controlled.

Face coverings must also be enforced.

Protocols for gyms to reopen are expected to be announced on Monday.

The state continues to make progress in battling the coronavirus pandemic.

About 85,455 coronavirus tests were given in NY Thursday, 727 were positive, or 0.85%.

Thursday was the seventh straight day of NY’s positive test rate being under 1%, according to the governor.

Frank Wilkinson is proprietor of Rab’s Country Lanes on Staten Island. They have been closed 151 days.

“On the teleconference today, Cuomo says you can open. I didn’t believe it. Finally the day has come. As an industry, we have worked to tell our story and get people behind us,” he said.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art said it will open to the public on August 29 with some members previews the week of the 24th.

 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, community, cuomo, nyc, rabs, small business, staten island

SI Advance: Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor waits for word from governor to reopen

July 26, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

Frank Wilkinson, owner of Rab’s Country Lanes in Dongan Hills, is hopeful his center will open in August. (Photo courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce/Dom Provenzano )

Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor Frank Wilkinson figured his Dongan Hills center would have been fully operational by now, 4 1/2 months after businesses across the state were ordered closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A few days into Phase 4 of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s reopening plans, the center, along with Showplace Entertainment Center — the Island’s only other bowling house — remain closed. The only activity at Country is sound coming from the reopened pro shop, some maintenance workers and an hour-long bowling show Wilkinson and Country manager Nazareth Laursen conduct five days a week.

“Sadly, we do not have any guidance or understanding on when we will get to re-open,” said Wilkinson, who has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because of the shutdown. “All we know at this point is that we are closed, as Cuomo has said, ‘indefinitely.’ There is no date for us to re-open.

According to Wilkinson, bowling centers were identified in Phase 4 of the Governor’s reopening plans. However, bowling centers have been identified as “high-risk indoor amusement” along with theaters, movie theaters and malls and Phase 4 has been split. “Low-risk” entertainments got the go to open in the beginning of Phase 4, similar to indoor dining being halted indefinitely.

“This has been a very difficult time for us both mentally and financially,” said Wilkinson. “We’re firm believers in the actions taken to get us to this point where we have flattened the curve and have slowed the spread of COVID-19. Without the slow roll-outs, we would already be seeing a ‘second wave.’ We’re now at a point, where we need to continue working together to continue stopping the spread while getting back to every day life, safely.

“Keeping a 40,000+ square foot building closed, while still keeping it running has been the largest challenge. While we have decreased many of our bills during this time, our incredibly high overhead costs have not changed. We along with many other local businesses, find ourselves in a very tough financial position, as loans have been the only way to help businesses get through this time and for the most part, these loans have not been enough.”

Wilkinson is hopeful his bowling center and others in the state will be able to open in August.

Bowling alleys have already opened in New Jersey with bowlers wearing masks.

One of the signs that will be placed around Rab’s Country Lanes to remind folks about social-distancing.

When asked what kind of COVID-guidelines will be in place when Country is allowed to open, Wilkinson said, “In addition to having zero guidelines from the state on the potential re-opening dates, the re-opening plans that have been created for each phase do not include our industry.”

But Wilkinson said he believes the following to be true based on the information available to him from other phase openings:

  • Upon initial opening, some sort of capacity restriction.
  • Masks will be required to be worn by all.
  • No different than other public facilities, a mask will be required when you cannot social distance, and not required when you are doing the physical activity. So when you get up to bowl (physical activity) a mask may not be required, and will be necessary when you enter the common area.
  • Employee health checks to be part of regular standard operating procedures.
  • Facilities must have proper signage to encourage physical distancing in common areas.
  • Educational signage throughout the facilities about wearing masks, washing hands, etc.
  • HVAC system upgrades to eliminate the spread of the virus.

Wilkinson said he has taken the following additional steps:

  • Educating our team about COVID-19.
  • Developed several potential plans for moving forward with our business depending on the capacity restrictions, this includes the possibility of keeping lanes between guests to achieve maximum physical distancing.
  • Installed touch-less door openers on doors that pull open inside and outside the bowling center.
  • Installed additional hand sanitizing stations, doubling what we already had installed throughout.
  • Prepared proper signage throughout the facility, including digital signage.
  • Ready to outfit staff and customers with masks (should customer not have one).
  • Continuation of sanitizing equipment (shoes and bowling balls) after every use, and thoroughly cleaning the areas after use and before the next customer enters.
  • We’re now in the process of upgrading our HVAC systems to comply with the requirements we believe may be put into place for facilities our size.

In the end, Wilkinson can’t wait to reopen the center after what will be more than five months of being idle.

“Personally, I couldn’t be more excited to get our business back rolling,” said Wilkinson. “Now more than ever, our community needs what bowling centers provide, an outlet to escape everyday life for social and recreational needs. We have always prided ourselves on providing a clean and safe environment for everyone to enjoy.

“Bowling will be back stronger and safer than ever. We’re in this together, we need all our customers to come together to help keep a safe and clean facility. Bowling centers are the original social network, we want people to come and be social as they are, yet physical distancing will be encouraged.”

Wilkinson said Country’s patrons can help with getting the center reopened.

“While the decision of opening bowling centers and other ‘high-risk’ entertainment like ours is up to the governor’s office, it cannot hurt to make a push to get our facilities open,” he said. “The governor needs to hear from constituents! We believe that collectively, if we make enough noise, we will be noticed. Bowling centers throughout New York State are working together to tell our story so we are not continued to be left in the dark. Tell the story that our centers are safe and clean environments so people can get back to socializing amongst their favorite activity.

“Bowling centers are community centers in their communities. Rab’s, collectively with Gennaro’s and the Country Pro Shop, employs almost 100 people, not including our volunteers. We’re urging our customers to take a brief moment to write the Governors office: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, community, nyc, rabs, small business, staten island, wilkinson

#ICYMI! Live from Rab’s: Danielle McEwan

June 18, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes 2 Comments

In case you missed it… Did you know we’re Live everyday at 2:00 PM EST on our facebook and YouTube Channels with our daily talk show, Live from Rab’s?  You never know who is going to drop in and be a guest on our show.  This past week, we welcomed PWBA Superstar Danielle McEwan!  Check it out.

Filed Under: Live from Rab's, News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, new york, new york city, professional bowling, pwba, rabs, small business, staten island, talk show, team usa

Operation Update: Gennaro’s RE-OPENS!

May 15, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

 

Gennaro’s Pizzeria & Snack Bar has re-opened for Take-Out & Delivery!

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM!

Call (718) 351-0192 to place your orders… Pizza, Zeppoles, Jell-O Shots, and even the hard to find Flagship Brewery Ralph’s Ices Hard Selzters!

Rab’s Country Lanes remains closed until further notice. Check here for updates.

You can also watch us Live on facebook daily at 2:00 PM for the latest in bowling and our community!

Filed Under: Announcements, Food, News

Show off your Talent through Rab’s Got Talent!

April 24, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

We know you have amazing talents… and we know you’re home with plenty of time on your hands!… So we here at Rab’s launched a new Talent Contest, Rab’s Got Talent!

While you’re home, make a video and submit it for your chance to win and be crowned the Champ!  Visit https://bowlatrabs.com/talent to learn more about how you can submit your video and move on to the Voting Round!

We can’t wait to be able to showcase your talent and crown a winner.

Filed Under: News

Operation Update: Gennaro’s & Country Pro Shop

April 4, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

Thank you to those who placed orders with us over the past couple of weeks.  For the health and safety of our team, as of April 4th, Gennaro’s Pizzeria & Snack Bar will be closed until further notice.

We’ll be back before you know it!

Country Pro Shop & Awards Center will be open for order pickup and services by appointment only. Please call with any questions (718) 979-4773.

Rab’s Country Lanes remains closed until further notice.  Check here for updates.

You can also watch us Live on facebook daily at 2:00 PM for the latest in bowling and our community!

Filed Under: Announcements

Small businesses reach out on the internet to stay connected to customers during crisis

March 29, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Richard Giacovas | FOX 5 NY

The coronavirus pandemic is bringing out the creativity for small business owners trying to stay afloat.

On Staten Island, at least two business, including a popular bowling alley, have launched their own livestreamed talk shows.

“It was something we had on the back burner,” says Nazareth Laursen, the manager of Rab’s Country Lanes. “When this happened, we were like wow this might be the time.”

Every afternoon, Laursen and proprietor Frank Wilkinson live stream what they call “a show about nothing” from inside the shuttered bowling alley.

[see the video and read more…]

Filed Under: As Seen On..., News

Live from Rab’s: During the coronavirus shutdown, keglers can get their fix with this daily bowling show live from Country Lanes

March 28, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes 2 Comments

By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | silive.com

Staten Island’s two bowling centers have been shut down during the coronavirus as mandated by the city, but that doesn’t mean the thousands of keglers in the borough can’t get their daily bowling fix.

That’s because Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor Frank Wilkinson and Manager Naz Laursen are bringing the Island bowling community an hour-long daily show — named Live From Rab’s — at 2 p.m. EST each day, live from the Dongan Hills center.

The show can be seen on Facebook if you’re FB friends with either Wilkinson or Laursen, who do the show overlooking the empty and darkened lanes at Country.

Live From Rab’s topics center around what’s happening on the local bowling scene as well as the ongoing coronavirus. Both Wilkinson and Laursen know the coronavirus is serious, but try to make light of the situation on the show and there’s usually plenty of laughs.

Some interesting guests — professional bowlers and Island keglers Joe Cal and Joe Bruno — have appeared on the show.

Missed a show? Check out the archived videos on facebook.com/bowlatrabs or YouTube!

Filed Under: News

WATCH: During coronavirus pandemic, teenager stays busy bowling outside his house on makeshift lane

March 26, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | silive.com

Click here for the story and to watch the video!

No bowling, no problem for teenager Joe Joe Guarnieri.

When a state mandate was enforced last week shutting down businesses, including the two Island’s bowling centers, it didn’t keep the youngster from doing what he loves.

With help from his mom, Cathy, the 14-year-old rigged up a makeshift bowling alley in front of his Midland Beach house.

“I go outside everyday for about a half hour to bowl,” says Joe Joe, a two-handed bowler. “It keeps me busy.”

The alley is set up perfect, sandwiched between a cinder block retention wall and the side of the family house. A gate is used for the backstop so the ball doesn’t go rolling down the block after it hits the pins.

The pins are real.

“My mom is friends with (Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor) Frank Wilkinson, who gave her the pins,” said Joe Joe, who bowls in two leagues at Rab’s, including the Saturday junior loop where he averages 204.

The ball is real, too, but it’s an old ball so it doesn’t matter if takes a beaten on the concrete lane.

“He’s been bowling since he was 2,” said Cathy. “I used to bring him to Country when I bowled and he would go in Frankie’s office and bowl with plastic pins and a ball.”

Joe Joe’s mom also likes the fact that her son, who is an eighth-grader at St. Teresa but is learning from the home with other New York students because of the virus, gets out of the house after being cooped up all day.

“I think it’s a great idea. He’s on the computer most of the day doing schoolwork so I love that he gets outside in the fresh air for a while,” said Cathy.

And Joe Joe plans to get outside on his makeshift lane every day as long as the coronavirus keeps the Island’s centers on lockdown.

“I’m going to go out there every day,” said Joe Joe. “It’s fun and a good way to practice.”

Filed Under: News

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