The Greensboro City Council scheduled a special meeting on Thursday, July 2 to approve an economic incentive.
It appears the original purpose of the meeting will be overshadowed by the City Council decision to also pass a resolution in support of “8 Can’t Wait” and to possibly incorporate some of those initiatives into city policy.
But the original reason for the meeting is to help bring bowling to downtown Greensboro. And to paraphrase the infamous ad campaign – This is not your father’s bowling alley.
Bourbon Bowl, being built by Paul Talley at 531 and 515 South Elm St., is a six-lane bowling alley with an upscale bar, restaurant and outdoor patio. The site is on the corner of South Elm Street and Lewis Street where for years used appliances have been sold, often with many of those used appliances outside.
This will be Talley’s third venue of this type. Stone Pin Co. in Greenville, SC, was named “The 2017 Best New Bowling Center in the Country” by Bowlersjournal.com. Talley also recently opened Underpin Lane-N-Lounge in Spartanburg, SC.
According to the resolution approving the $80,000 economic incentive, the investment in the property by Double G. Properties LLC must total at least $3.6 million and create 20 new full-time and 35 part-time jobs. The grant is specifically to assist with “enhancements to the outdoor patio space at 535 South Elm Street, property which the City Council finds will have a significant effect on the commercial prospects, new employment, and revitalization of the Central Business District.”
According to a study titled “Retail Strategies for Downtown Greensboro” done by UNCG, a consumer poll indicated there needs to be more for people in their 20s and 30s to do downtown. The study states, “One opportunity for a relatively low-cost entertainment activity is bowling – increasingly popular in hip downtowns. In particular ‘boutique’ bowling alleys are increasingly popular.”
It sounds like it was written about Bourbon Bowl, which is certainly going to be a boutique bowling alley.
Incentives for boutique bowling to attract young folks? More largesse and wasted money on speculation just like the Bin 33, Workz restaurant, and failed Morehead Foundry. All downtown, all got incentives and concessions, and all are failed city council supported hipster hangouts. More spending on “bread and circus”. I wonder if the city police would stop looters at the bowling alley or let them trash the place like the other businesses downtown?
how about putting that money to buying the police what is needed to get this town in order.like expired tags driving and texting driving to fast and do something about the loud music coming thru communities. All the city council dose is spend taxpayer money.
Bribing people with our money to open a business in the OK Corral is like feeding a chicken to a hamster.
Cluck the Coop