By BILL SNIER
CANTON — Strike Zone Lanes has a new “old” owner.
After being closed since the first week of July 2024, Paul Kasapis has taken back over the 24-lane, over 17,000-foot bowling center, restaurant and bar, located at 1222 Whipple Ave. NW, as part of a divorce settlement with his soon to be former wife, Debbie Kasapis.
Why does Kasapis want to return to the center his family originally purchased in 2014?
“I just love bowling … I love the sport and I love to see kids get involved in the sport,” the 55-year-old North Industry resident said. “What can you do when you’re 60 years old? You can’t play football and you can’t run around the soccer field.
“You need activities to keep you young, and those are bowling and golf.”
Kasapis returns to the bowling scene after spending 14 months and 21 days in federal prisons in Morgantown, W.Va., and Lisbon on federal tax charges stemming from his relationship to video game parlors in 2018 and 2019. He also had to pay $ 533,000 in restitution and give up two Florida residences.
Kasapis was released on Aug. 16, 2019, and has been involved in the fiber optics field since. He now runs his own company, American Builders, which constructs infrastructures for cities and businesses.
But he is fully committed to bringing back Strike Zone as a legitimate bowling center. It was not something he decided recently to do.
“I decided I wanted it back (when I was released from prison), but I couldn’t do anything about it,” Kasapis said. “We reached a settlement. But before I agreed, I wanted to make sure the bones were still here and see what I needed to do. That was in early March.”
Kasapis had not bowled in nearly eight years before checking out an area center recently.
“I really can’t tell you why. There were times when I wanted to join a league and had a couple of buddies talk about it, but it just never happened,” Kasapis said.
Kasapis is looking at an April 15 reopening date, and is planning for a summer 9-pin no tap league for either Tuesday or Wednesday night in the summer months. That will begin in early May.
We sat down recently with Kasapis to find out what his plans are for the center, what needs to be done and how it will be operated. Here is transcript of that discussion (answers and some parts of the interview were edited for content and brevity):
***
SOB: What was the condition of the center when you walked back in for the first time (it was closed since the first week in July with utilities being discontinued shortly after):
PK: The restaurant area was in pretty bad shape. We had to get new coolers and we are in the process of cleaning that area up. We also had to work on the roof above the bar.
SOB: How about the lanes themselves?
PK: The lanes themselves are in good shape. We went over them with a fine-tooth comb. Usually, when something sits that long moisture can start building up, but the lanes are in good shape. The machines have some troubles, which we are going over. I have two mechanics working on them a lot and we’re buying a lot of parts. I have a parts list ready … there’s just a process you have to go through to get them up and running. We have kids and other people coming in just bowling on them to work out the kinks. It takes putting pressure on them to see where we’re at … it’s under pressure when they fail. You need consistent play to figure out where the problems are and how to fix them. But the two guys I have working on them say they are in pretty good shape. The machines were originally installed in 1972, but I’m not guaranteeing they were brand new, but they were American machines. My guys feel they just need detailed.
SOB: Machines and their breakdowns have been the obvious source of complaints the last several years.
PK: When I bought the place originally, we had over $100,000 invested in parts and repairs we did to the machines. We started in 2014 with the renovations and opened the restaurant in 2016 and 2017 with the synthetic lanes and automatic scoring. In 2016, we also put in all new pin decks and kick plates. There were technical things that needed repaired. (Debbie Kasapis) didn’t have the people who knew how to fix the problems. She had people who were able to get the machines up and running again, but you needed to figure out why the problems occurred. I have two certified mechanics helping me out with this. We are planning on hiring a full-time mechanic, but just can’t do it as of yet until we are up and running.”
SOB: What other problems did you find?
PK: The scoring system was OK, but we needed better communication to the monitors. We are putting up new monitors. There was no way to tell where the problem was until we replaced some monitors. We have 42-inch monitors now, but ultimately I would like to put up the 55-inch monitors. We also put in new rollers on the ball lifts in the back. The alley balls were OK, but we do need to purchase new house shoes. Prices have gone up on both of those, but we’re going to be adding more popular sizes in shoes.
SOB: Why now did you want to take the business back?
PK: I have been wanting to come back, but we’ve been butting heads over it. The fact that is was up for sale did not surprise me because it had to do with part of our (federal) case. I don’t know if she received any offers.
SOB: Did the current state of bowling in Stark County play into your decision?
PK: It absolutely had an effect on me wanting to get it back. There’s room for us. I really haven’t heard anything from bowlers as of yet. We tried to make a deal about a year ago, but just couldn’t reach one so how can you start talking to people if you’re not sure you have a firm answer on the future. If I tell you I’m going to do something, I’m going to try everything I my power to get it done
SOB: Are you going to have a liquor license when you open?
PK: We will have one, but I don’t want to comment further on that. This place is a monster. It may not be the biggest in the county, but with 24 lanes you need to bring in 100 people a night just to bowl.
SOB: What about staffing?
PK: I’m not sure about that yet. I’m here everyday working, including putting up new ceiling tiles. I want to hire a full-time mechanic and a manager, but its difficult because I can’t promise anything at this point as to a start date and equipment. I’ve had a couple of former employees reach out. And my son (PJ Kasapis) will be involved. I want this to be a family business. He has been involved in bowling all his life.
SOB: What about league play?
PK: We want to start with a 9-pin, no-tap summer league. As for the fall, we’ve been talking to a couple of leagues … some who are not happy with where they’re at right now or have been here in the past. If they want to come, let them come. I love to see bowling here. If I can. Help them to learn the sport. I’m willing to take time out of the day to help them.
SOB: How far along are you to being ready to open?
PK: We’re about halfway to where we want to be at this point (our interview was March 19). We’ve been focusing pretty heavily on the bowling part and we’re getting pretty close. The physical structure of the building is very good. We still have trailers in the back full of parts that we took (six lanes at 77 Colonial in Canton and from Loveland Lanes) that we are still using.
SOB: How have things changed since you last were involved in bowling?
PK: Bowling has changed as lot from when we had El Dorado (he no longer owns that Canton property). Bowling then was 50 cents a game and 50 cents for shoes and it was hard to get people to come in the door and pay that. We went to as center recently with four of us and needed shoes and bowled two games. It came to $151. I’m in the business and I figured $45 or so. A family just can’t afford that. It’s just entertainment; it’s not like you’re getting something back. If we hadn’t bought this when we did (back in 2014), it probably wouldn’t be a bowling alley at this point. I really don’t know if we’ll ever be back to the way it was.
SOB: What about installing string pins?
PK: I don’t really understand the concept. To me, that’s not bowling. I know the machines are old, but those pins are not going to be here 60 years from now either. I know it’s bowling, but it’s not original bowling.
SOB: There have been social media rumors about the future of Meyers Lake Plaza …
PK: That’s just a bunch of people getting on Facebook and spreading things … they’re talking casinos and stuff out here, but they just like to talk. People talk stuff about me all the time on there. If you have something to say to me, come and say it to my face and we’ll talk about it. But social media is pretty easy for them to do. Yeah, I’ve seen them.
SOB: Are you in this for the long haul?
PK: It doesn’t look like you’re doing anything at the start, but it’s a big investment. We’re a bit financially strapped at this point … we need to maintain and keep money to do that. But I’m dedicated to bowling. Before, I had money and it was easier and fun. It’s still fun and exciting, but there’s a little more stress to come up with the funds to do this. But I’m dedicated to bowling. I’m back … and I’m staying.
One thought on “Strike Zone set to reopen in April; Paul Kasapis assumes control of center”