05/22/2026
As we wrap up our second full season as owners of South 66 Lanes, we wanted to take a moment to speak from the heart about why we’ve chosen to close during June & July. 💜
When we purchased this bowling alley, we stepped into an entirely new world. We didn’t come from the bowling industry with years of experience or a corporate team behind us. We jumped in headfirst with passion, determination, and a love for community.
Since day one, we’ve been learning this business one frame, one repair, one league, one event, and one late night at a time.
Behind South 66 Lanes is just us 👋 — a husband, wife, and our 4 children — wearing every hat imaginable 🤝
From repairs, lane maintenance, cooking food, serving drinks, cleaning, bookkeeping, social media, customer service, league operations, and everything in between… it all happens within our family. And honestly? We love that family atmosphere. We love seeing familiar faces walk through the doors. We love the memories made here. We love being part of this community.
But we also recognize something important: burnout is real. ❤️🩹
In the past two years, life hasn’t slowed down outside the bowling alley either. Alongside running South 66, we were also navigating the sale of a business that had been part of our lives for 24 years, balancing family life with 4 children, an exchange student and 7 dogs, my mother's health has been declining and trying to still be present for the people who matter most to us.
Closing for June & July is not us “giving up.” It’s actually the opposite. ✨️
It’s us being smart business owners. It’s us protecting our passion before exhaustion steals it. It’s us choosing longevity over burnout. ❤️🩹
During this time, we will be: 🤔
🎳 Completing lane repairs and building upgrades
🎳 Learning more about the bowling industry
🎳 Attending conferences and visiting other bowling centers
🎳 Building new ideas and connections for the future of South 66
🎳 Supporting local Defiance community events
💜 Most importantly… spending quality time with our family and making memories together🫂
One thing we’ve learned in business is this: You cannot pour from an empty cup. 🚫
We want South 66 Lanes to continue being a place filled with laughter, connection, family fun, and community pride for many years to come. In order to do that, we also have to protect our own peace, health, and well-being along the way. ❤️🩹
We know some people may not understand the decision, and that’s okay. But we hope many of you do. We appreciate every single person who has supported us, cheered us on, booked lanes, attended events, shared posts, or simply walked through our doors these last two years. 💜
This isn’t goodbye. This is simply a pause to reset, recharge, improve, and come back even stronger for Season 3. 💜
We cannot wait to reopen in August for National Bowling Day and welcome everyone back home to South 66 Lanes. 🥳
Thank you for supporting not just a business… but a family chasing a dream. 🙏
