By Kevin Sheehan and Jackie Salo
NY Post | Click Here for the Full Story & Video
Photo Credit: STEFAN JEREMIAH | Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis throws out the first ball during the re-opening celebration.
They were ready to roll.
Big Apple bowling alleys welcomed back some rusty but eager customers Monday, as the state lifted coronavirus restrictions after five months.
“We’ve been itching to come back. Now we can get back to where we left off!” said Kevin Rourke, who was joined by his 16-year-old son, Ryan, at Rab’s Country Lanes in Staten Island.
“We were coming in here all the time and he was getting better and then it shut down.”
About 50 people waited in line to score a socially-distanced lane when doors opened around 1 p.m. for the first time since the state shut down in mid-March.
“It’s good to be back!” said Dylan Ward, a 14-year-old local champion bowler. “It’s probably going to take a while to get back to form.”
Inside, were greeted by a cheeky mannequin sporting a cardboard cutout of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s face and an employee uniform — along with new rules, such as mask requirements and keeping every other lane open.
Owner Frank Wilkinson said the businesses scrambled to get the lanes ready after Cuomo’s announcement Friday that bowling alleys could reopen.
“Today we are certainly celebrating! Happy bowling day!” he said.
But despite the short notice, there appeared to be no issue getting the word out to customers.
“We have reservations booking up. Tomorrow morning is all booked up already,” he told The Post.
Are there going to be leagues starting September
Hi Patty! Yes, there will be leagues this season. We’re working out all the details with our league leadership teams. Stay tuned for details as we iron out the best scenarios for everyone.