HODGDON, Maine — The new owners of the town’s candlepin bowling alley are hoping to restore the business to its former glory days.
Laura and Geno Seiders of Houlton are the new owners of Seiders’ Hill-Top Lanes. Located at 61 Calais Road in Hodgdon, just across the Houlton town line, the bowling business has been an icon in the Shiretown for decades.
“We had been looking for a business to invest in and to give back to the community,” Geno said. “When we heard about this opportunity, we jumped. We really want to expand on what is offered here.”
Built by Dick Stewart, Gene Stewart and Orville Boutlier in 1964, Hill-Top Lanes bowling alley has gone through relatively few changes. Larry Scott, son of Orville Boutlier, took over ownership of the business in 2000. Under Scott’s management, the 12 lanes of bowling were reduced to eight to allow for the installation of an indoor miniature golf section and a golf simulator was added.
The bowling industry was once booming in the 1970s and 80s. At one time, there were so many men’s and women’s league teams that events were held every night of the week. Seniors at Houlton and Hodgdon high schools also were able to substitute gym class for bowling, but neither school continues that practice.
The Seiders purchased the bowling alley in November, through a loan from the Northern Maine Development Commission, and have big plans on restoring the business. The lanes have been closed from Dec. 18-25 for renovations. The couple plans to re-open on Saturday, Jan. 5, with newly refinished bowling floors.
Geno admitted managing a bowling alley was completely new to him.
“I think I have only bowled a couple of times in my life,” he said.
Geno added he was learning “on the fly” with such things as fixing the pin machines whenever jams occur. Updating that portion of the business is his next step.
“There are some parts that have to be machined because you can’t buy them anymore,” he said.
The couple hopes to hold special events in the future, including “glow bowling,” where the balls and pins are illuminated through special “black lights.” They also have added a small inflatable bounce house for younger children, added an air hockey table as well as a second pool table and some new arcade machines.
“Hopefully we will be able to expand outside in the spring as well, with things like miniature golf and horseshoe tournaments,” Geno said. “Maybe we’ll even do an outdoor concert.”
Installing a kitchen for the sale of concessions is also in the works. Currently, the business has the ability to sell foods like hot dogs and pizza slices, but Laura, a native of Caribou, said she would like to expand those offerings to include items like chicken fingers and french fries.
Hill-Top Lanes is now a smoke-free establishment with family atmosphere. The bowling alley can be rented for events such as children’s birthdays or private parties.
A grand re-opening will be scheduled at some point in the future. The bowling alley will be open Mondays through Thursdays, 4-9 p.m..; Fridays, 4-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
