The new owner of the local bowling center plans to make improvements to the business.
The Parsons City Commission on Monday evening approved a $5,000 retail recruitment grant for Roosevelt Draine, who is in the process of buying PK Bowl, 103 Main, from Community National Bank and Trust through a limited liability company bearing his name. Roosevelt Draine LLC must match the grant with at least $25,000.
Community National has owned the bowling alley since repossessing it from William and Kathy Farr after they declared bankruptcy in 2016. The Farrs had operated the business as Parsons Bowl. The 12-lane bowling alley had been called Tower Bowl for many years prior to the Farrs buying it in 2010. Helen Brooks managed the bowling alley for the bank under the name PK Bowl.
According to Draine’s business plan submitted to the city, the new name of the bowling alley will be Parsons Family Fun Center.
“I think this is something that will move toward bettering the community,” Jim Zaleski, the city’s economic development director, said.
Zaleski said after the meeting that Draine will have Brooks continue to manage the bowling alley because he knows that she has done well with the business. Brooks worked for Tower Bowl and then Parsons Bowl off and on for 20 years for three different owners.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)