By James Raia
Terence Jackson Jr. has endured the COVID-19 pandemic with innovation – the world’s first mobile bowling alley and lounge. It’s built inside a 53-foot semi-truck trailer.
Jackson, 34, spent two years working on the project and despite further delays because of the virus launched Luxury Strike Bowling on June 15. The private bowling alley on wheels is equipped with two lanes as well as a sky loft. The facility can hold as many as 15 people.
The trailer includes two 25-foot lanes, an automatic ball return, automatic pin-resetters and digital scorekeepers. Elevated seating for an 80-inch theater screen is complemented by LED lighting.
Mobile bowling strikes
Limitations exist but aren’t prohibitive. Lanes are shorter. Bowling balls are about the size of grapefruits, weigh between three and four pounds and don’t have holes. Bowling shoes aren’t required.
The truck and its unique offerings are available within a 30-mile radius of the business’s headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. It’s proven popular for birthday parties to corporate outings, wedding showers to family reunions.
Jackson will book Luxury Strike Bowling for clients as far as 75 miles away for an additional fee. The minimum rental time is two hours. Once booked, the mobile bowling alley is driven directly to a guest’s house or another location of choice.
“People said I was crazy,” Jackson said in a National Public Radio interview. “Why would you sell your house, your real estate and basically be homeless? But I had a vision.”
The interior of the semi-truck resembles a nightclub. The walls are painted black; flashing neon lights line the lanes and ceiling. A staircase leads up to a seating area with a black, pleated booth.
Food and smoking are not allowed in the trailer, but guests can bring their alcohol. Cups, ice and napkins are provided.
The trailer is sanitized before and after each event, and hand sanitizers are on-site. The drivers, who are also lounge assistants – always wear a mask.
UPDATE: In a Facebook post on December 14, Luxury Bowling stated: “We were involved in a sudden accident on the evening of 12/12/2020. Due to circumstances we had to cancel all reservations for the remainder 2020. We are working diligently on repairing our facility and certain to return to full operation March of 2021. We appreciate your empathy and support and look forward to providing great service next season.”
James Raia, a syndicated columnist in Sacramento, California, publishes a free weekly automotive podcast and electronic newsletter. Sign-ups are available on his website, www.theweeklydriver.com. He can be reached via email: james@jamesraia.com.
Even with all the cleaning going on, aerosols will be hanging on in the air. There needs to be an air intake/exchange- and possibly also UV light air sanitizers.