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New atmosphere pleases Brunswick bowlers in River Grove
Eddie Hernandez bowls Aug. 17 at the Brunswick Zone. The bowling alley has been renovated with wide-screen televisions, more space and easier scoring systems. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
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NAME: Brunswick Zone
ADDRESS: 3111 River Road, River Grove
CONTACT: (708) 456-4100
HOURS: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.-midnight Sunday
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RIVER GROVE — A renovated Brunswick Zone in River Grove has people excited, renting bowling shoes and trying to bowl that perfect game.
Margret Sewell held down a lane with her two children, who were bowling in between eating pizza. She was impressed with the new look.
“I think it looks great,” she said. “We come here for birthday parties.”
Her husband, River Grove Trustee Roger Sewell, also believes the changes were positive.
“I’m excited about the place,” he said. “It’s a great place for families. I look forward to having Brunswick be a part of the community for years to come.”
Lindsey Mullins, general manager of the Brunswick Zone in River Grove, said the $800,000 the company put into revamping the 48-lane facility shows they are there to stay and has caught customer attention. “It’s the largest investment made (by the company) in the state,” she said.
“We bought the place 14 years ago,” she said. “We’ve made some changes, but this is the biggest revamp since then.”
Upgrades include new wide-screen televisions above the lanes, where videos can be shown and bowlers can see their scores. A bowler can keep score more easily with new keypads installed at each lane. The venue added a meeting room and has new carpeting.
They’ve also upgraded the bar and billiards room, which has six new billiard tables, seating and wide-screen televisions. The bowling alley also has a large video game room.
Crystal Vargas, who has worked at the bowling alley for two years, has seen how far it has come.
“I’ve come here to bowl myself and I would have so much trouble with the other (scoring) screen and reading it,” she said. “I love it now. It’s so much easier.”
Juanita Williams of Maywood, who’s in two bowling leagues, likes the new colors on the walls and the flat screens.
“They were dull, but now it’s more alive,” she said. “It’s a welcoming atmosphere.”
Erin Allegretti of Forest Park appreciates the new atmosphere, as well.
“I used to come here all the time,” she said. “They’ve made good improvements. I like the scoring system and everything. It’s really nice.”
