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SI Advance: Rab’s Country Lanes opens doors after being closed for 5 months

August 17, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Nick Regina | nregina@siadvance.com
and Alexandra Salmieri | asalmieri@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story & Live Video

Frank Wilkinson, owner of Rab’s County Lanes in Dongan Hills welcomes customers back to his bowling center on August 17, 2020 in Dongan Hills. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri)

STATEN ISLAND N.Y. — The clanking of balls, the crashing of pins, and the pattering of shoes on the hardwood lanes.

Bowling was back on Monday afternoon at Rab’s Country Lanes, providing some semblance of normalcy for Staten Island’s resident bowlers who returned to the alley for the first time in nearly five months.

Needless to say, both customers and proprietors alike were as excited as could be expected.

“We’re excited, it’s been a long time coming, but here we are: back to business and bowling,” said Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor Frank Wilkinson. “Today is emotional, we’re just happy to get back to bowling…this proves that we can get back to some sort of normalcy.”

While the re-opening did provide a sense of normalcy, it also displayed some of the city’s mandated protocols, which include operating at a maximum 50% capacity, with every other lane closed to assure social distancing, as well as wearing face coverings.

Indoor dining and drinking are also not allowed, for the time being.

“This is not the end, it’s a step in the right direction and we hope to get back to our regular thing as long as we can do it safely,” added Wilkinson. “It’s up to all of us.”

Wilkinson, like everyone else, first heard the news on Friday that bowling centers would be allowed to operate as soon as Monday — yet Rab’s looked like it hadn’t skipped a beat since it initially shuttered its doors in Mid-March.

“On Friday, [Gov. Cuomo] dropped the bomb that we could reopen, so to flip the switch in 72 hours has been tremendous,” said Wilkinson. “The staff and team, and the preparation and cleaning, they did a tremendous job.

Workers at Rab’s Country Lanes clean the lanes and balls after bowlers are finished, preparing them for the next customers on August 17, 2020 in Dongan Hills. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri)

Throughout the alley, the dozens of bowlers in attendance did their part to maintain social distancing, while wearing their face coverings.

“[Government] had faith in us, as an industry, to do things the right way,” said Wilkinson. “We’ve had no issues, we’ll continue as a community to keep doing it, everybody respects it…it’s not for ourselves, but for everyone around us.”

 

ISLAND BOWLERS REACT

Bowlers of all ages and skill levels were out in full force for the re-opening on Monday, including Staten Island Bowling Hall of Famer Nancy Avignon.

“I truly missed the Rab’s community, I love it,” said the 67-year-old North Shore resident who began bowling in the 1960s. “At the crack of dawn I was up getting ready…I really couldn’t wait, it’s been such a long time.

“I missed being on the lanes and the sport immensely,” she added. “I truly couldn’t wait to get here, this is paradise for me.”

Avignon also cited the cleanliness of the venue, as well as the effort of the staff.

“I love the way Rab’s is run, I believe the protocols have the public in mind and they’re doing everything possible,” she said. “They clean the lanes every minute, they’re really keeping up with it and being diligent and we appreciate it.”

Twelve-year-old Jeremy Vasquez, who’s been bowling since he was five, was equally thrilled to fire off some strikes on Monday.

“I’m happy, I’ve been waiting since quarantine,” said the eight-grader from South Beach. “I was here on the last day before they closed and I’m excited to be back.

“When my mom told me, I was so excited,” he added. “I was sad, I wanted to come here everyday…it was like taking part of my life away.”

Veteran bowlers like Rob Butler opted to play in New Jersey until the restrictions were lifted — but it just wasn’t the same.

“This is home for most of us,” said the 40-year-old Great Kills resident. “It’s a beautiful place and I’m happy to be here.

“The community, the conditions, the lanes, it’s all different,” he added. “This is a big deal for us, I’ll be here as many times as possible.”

New Springville resident Matt Koplowitz reiterated the sentiment.

“It felt like something was missing these last few months,” said Koplowitz. “I didn’t want to have a season in New Jersey, but we didn’t know what to expect…I’m glad to be back.”

Koplowitz noted that playing with a mask wasn’t much of an issue either.

“It’s not a problem, just something to get used to as the season goes on,” he explained. “I feel safe, just happy to be back now.”

NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET

While the return to play is a welcome sign, Wilkinson acknowledges that small businesses, including his own, will need continued support from the government to continue operating effectively.

“It’s been draining on the small business community,” admitted Wilkinson, who suffered many a sleepless night during the quarantine. “This building isn’t designed to operate at 50% capacity, we need the support of government.

“Patience did start to run thin, there was no revenue stream [for five months],” he added. “Employees couldn’t work, it weighs on you.

“It’s relieving to get to this point,” added Wilkinson. “Hard work pays off.”

Nevertheless, he’s excited to see people in the building once again.

“It’s amazing, we’re in the people business and our mission is to provide an environment for people to get away from everyday life,” said Wilkinson. “To see the smiles on people’s faces is what we live for.

“I get more happiness and joy to see people enjoy what they do in this environment that we created,” he added. “It’s exciting.”

 

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

NY1 News: Got Some Spare Time? Bowling Alleys Across the State Reopened Monday

August 17, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Amanda Farinacci
NY1 News | Click Here for Full Story & Video

A line forms inside Rab’s Country Lanes as anxious bowlers stand in wait for lane assignments in their first trip back to the bowling alley since the pandemic shut its doors back in March.

When they hit the lanes, they spared no time, rolling back to business.

What You Need To Know

  • 300 bowling centers across the state reopened Monday
  • Social distancing guidelines mean every only other lane is used and masks must be worn
  • Bowling shoes and balls will be sanitized
  • Food or drink not permitted inside

Frank Wilkinson owns Rab’s Country Lanes. “This is certainly a sign that people want to get back to everyday life,” he said.

Governor Cuomo gave the green light for bowling alleys in the state to reopen Monday, but bowling looks a bit different than it did just five months ago.

Every other lane is open to allow for social distancing, masks must be worn and reservations are encouraged.

As for bowling shoes and bowling balls — there will be no more touching or trying on if you don’t have a ball or shoes of your own.

“We will outfit you with the equipment at the front counter,” WIlkinson told NY1. “You go to your lanes. When you’re done, leave everything at the lanes; our team will sanitize, clean, bring it up to the front counter. And then that way there’s no extra touch points.”

A couple more changes to the bowling alley: no eating or drinking inside and food must be taken outside.

Rab’s is currently working to build an outdoor dining area.

The New York State Bowling Proprietors Association, a group 300 bowling centers across the state, had been lobbying hard to allow their alleys to reopen, citing the possibilities for social distancing given the size of their facilities, and detailed plans for safety and sanitizing.

They are small changes that bowlers we spoke with seemed to be taking in stride.

Henry Rau is an avid bowler.

“I think it’s about time. It’s well overdue and I think it should have been sooner,” he said.

Enrique Rodriguez came with his friend to bowl.

“They’re spacing everyone out; we’re wearing masks, I think this is going to be fine,” he said.

Rab’s is hoping to open its outdoor space in the coming days.

And the bowling alley is already booked for the next few days.

The center’s robust bowling league will come back to play after Labor Day.

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

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