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Paris’ bowling lanes still openNow called Timber Lanes, remodeling underwayBy SIIKimiE LANGSTON News Staff WriterWhen Brunswick — a known name in bowling circles — did not renew their lease on Paris’ bowling lanes as they had for the past 15 years, many people were led to believe that the bowling center in Paris would close.Although the center is still open at the North Main Street address, it has a new name and is getting a now look. The center is now called Timber Lanes and an extensive remodeling project, is underway within the walls.The lanes are still open and Parisians are still bowling. George Berry ami liis partner, John Greer, were looking for a spot in Paris to open a bowling and recreation center when they heard of the availability of the former Brunswick lanes.The pair owns lanes in Nacogdoches, Kilgore. Longview and Carthage as well as the one now in Paris. They took over on May 1. “We've never been dosed y day,’’ Berry said. “Already, we've added new lights in the parking loL%While the bowlers inside take aim at the lb pins sitting at the end of die lanes, workmen are busy' measuring, nailing, examining blueprints, sawing and sanding.Berry said he expects io spend “about SfKUH): to $70,0111!“ revamping the interim' of the Paris lanes One of the major revisions Berry and Green have undertaken is the installation of a nine-hole miniature golf course. One corner of the building, for many years, housed several pool tables. That corner will be an Indoor golf courseSunn.“I ta'l’.ed to several people who sell three courses.” Berry said. “They wanted $1,000 a hole. I thought itcouldn’t cost that much, so 1 rolled out a big piece if paper on my poo! table at home and took a ruler and designed my own course.’’ Though Berry found a less expensive route for the golf course, his philosophy is “it doesn’t cost any more to golirst classBerry found a short shag powder blue carpel to cover the walls inside, ’it cuts down on the noise and makes a bowling alley a lot quieter.” he explained. Tlie floors will be carpeted with a darker blue and silver patterned covering. “We thought about paneling.” Berry said, “but after figuring ike cost wedisovered that it would be less expensive to carpet the walls...and it looks nicer too.”A snack bar and kitchen area will be installed this week,, the new owner said. An area at the end of the counter wilt become the snack bar and a room to the rear of that section will be converted to the kitchen.Berry and his partner also have a few other plans for improvements on the drawing Iward, Eventually, they will replace the pin setters and possibly add a few other extras.“Bowling centers don’t make money, though,’’ Berry noted, “People do.Ixical people were employed to operate the Paris lanes.Joint and Rosie Fielding wiil manage the facilities and Shirley Jordan will coordinate the programs and organize the leagues.Berry says he was born in the bowling business. “My father had six lanes, six pod tables and a bookie joint in Ilallsboro, N.J.,” he explained.For a time. Berry toured the professional circuit and still holds the record for the highest average in California. Berry said there was no money in bowling on the pro tour, so he decided to manage centers instead.“Bowling is really morephysical than football,” he remarked. You throw a pound ball 20 times a game and bowl 10 games a week...that’s hard on your arms, legs and back.” “Bowling was a lot like gambling and I had a wife and two kids to support, he mused.He and Ms family moved to Texas six years ago. My wife is from Tishimingo, Okla., and we were traveling there at least twice a year,” he explained We may move closer to Paris soon,” he said. “I’m getting to the age now where ! just enjoy sitting in front of the television watching the tell games.”£ v*. ,r .BOWLING IT. AM -- George Berry, owner of Paris Timber Lanes, stands at the end of a lane with his new employees. Shirley Jordan, left, will serve as theprogram coordinator and league organizer for the lane; while Rose Fielding and her husband, John will managt the facilities. (Staff Photo by Mark Gail)
Newspaper Details
Paris News
Paris, Texas, US
Sun, May 23, 1982
Page 40
Full Page
Clipped by
Samantha B.
USA 25 Jun 2020
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