As a bowling destination in Staten Island, Rab’s Country Lanes has been carving a name for itself for years now. Discover what makes Rab’s unique, how they keep their Laser Maze Challenge® fresh, and what exciting projects are unfolding this year.
Since installing the Laser Maze Challenge® in 2010, Rab’s Country Lanes has done anything but slow down. “We have lots of birthday parties who use it, and it’s exciting to give customers something as exciting as the Laser Maze to play while they wait for our lanes to open up,” says Frank Wilkinson, owner of Rab’s Country Lanes. One of the ways they’ve done this is by keeping the product fresh; “We’re promoting the gameplay not just as a box with a game – we’re letting them know it can be part of a party package, and that you can watch your friends play on the video capture at the entrance, and that there’s a challenge to beat within the game” he says.
And birthday parties are far from the only exciting events happening at Rab’s. With school out for the summer, Rab’s is “full speed ahead with summer leagues” and a kids summer special that includes “two games of bowling, a slice of pizza, and shoes for $10,” Frank reports. But you don’t need to be a die-hard bowler to love the upcoming events they’ve got going on. Customers regularly experience unique events like paint nights, college acceptance celebrations, bowling competitions, and live music. “Karaoke is one of the things Rab’s has done forever. We were one of the first local bars to offer it back in the late 80’s, so it’s kind of a tradition that we’ve just always kept,” Frank reflects. “Plus, we have some bowlers who are in bands, so it’s fun to give them the opportunity to play for their community. It’s always an adventure.”
It’s that community-centric mindset that has carried Rab’s through over twenty-five years of successful business on Staten Island. “We’re big believers in continuing to invest in our business. That’s something that my father believed, and something that is in our core values of the company,” Frank says. True to his word, Frank is spearheading a renovation project that has continued to grow in scope in the past year. What started with a flooring upgrade will now include a full redemption arcade and sprucing up of their Laser Maze Challenge by early 2019. “The Laser Maze Challenge is one of the current attractions we have that will stay, which is amazing because when we look at the revenue it’s driven, it does better than what we could do with three machines in that same space,” Frank reveals. “There’s tons of opportunity within the product.”
Rab’s Country Lanes has become something of a staple to their Staten Island community, shown through their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, their “Blast Off” event at the end of the summer where community kids bowl for free, and recent designation as the number one Top 31 Small Business Award recipient from the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation.
“With that award, our peers in business had the opportunity to vote and pick their favorite places,” says Frank, “and the recognition affirms that we’re doing something right in our community. We’ve been here for over twenty-five years, providing an outlet for everyone to get away from everyday life. We do it because we care, and it’s nice to be recognized for that with such an award.”
Keep an eye on Rab’s Country Lanes for some 2018 upgrades and some epic events this summer! Thank you to Frank Wilkinson for this interview.
All photos courtesy of Rab’s Country Lanes.
Original Posting Date: 6/19/18