When smoke clears, centers could see an increase in business
By PHIL GULICK
Published July 13, 2003
Cigarette jingles and slogans were everywhere during World War II.
"Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette."
"Smoke rings, while a Chesterfield burns."
"I'd walk a mile for a Camel."
"LSMFT, Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco."
A pack of Wings at the corner drug store went for 15 cents, with a bonus color picture of the latest aircraft. Lucky Strike's red ball turned green because the red pigment was needed in the war effort.
Every cigarette company in the country was the prime advertiser on many radio or early TV shows. The industry rolled not only cigarettes and cigars but in the green.
"You've Come a Long Way, Baby."
But now in the opposite direction, baby. Florida's new indoor smoking ban became effective July 1, with a few exceptions. Bowling centers are not among the exceptions.
"It definitely will have a financial impact on us," said Kevin Krauss, general manager of Sunshine Bowl and Sunrise and Seminole lanes in Pinellas County.
"However, if it works out like what happened when California did the same thing several years ago, we could eventually see a rebound in customers," he said.
California's ban drove off about 20 percent of its bowling smokers. Yet, within three years most of them returned. Non-smokers, who deserted centers because of the smokers, even came back.
Bowling long ago purged itself of the Roaring '20s, back-alley reputation. Choked with smoke, dimly lit and reeking of lacquer, machine oil and sweat, those grimy dungeons only added to the T-shirt, beer-drinking Joe Bowler image. It was the accepted norm.
Proprietors soon learned a hard lesson - clean up your act or lose your business. Old alleys were rejuvenated into sparkling, clean entertainment centers. Gutters became channels, synthetic lanes replaced lacquer, and computer scorers blew away paper scoring. Smoke was the only holdover.
Stacked ceiling-high at Sunrise Lanes are boxes of acoustic ceiling tiles. "We have to replace the ceilings, the rugs, almost everything in our centers, to purge the smoke smell," said Krauss' father, Jerry.
The Krauss family built two of its three centers and for years struggled to provide industrial strength air-conditioners and purifiers to clear the atmosphere.
"I'm glad the law was passed, and I can't count how many people have come to me to say thank you," Jerry said.
WORRALLS TANGLE: For the first time this season, a husband and wife reached the finals of the NABI Club Scratch Tournament at Seminole Lanes. St.Petersburg's Cathy Worrall defeated her husband, Kent, 201-193 on June 29 to win the event and $190. Kent collected $95.
AROUND THE LANES: High scorers - Youth player Russell Brock, 300-743, and Bob Smolka, 300 game, at Sunshine; Mike Eakins, 300-754, Countryside; Dex Basto, 300-699, Hall of Fame.
