By Lori EhdeLuverne Lanes Bowling Alley officially changed hands last week when 30-year owners John and Ahne Serie introduced the new owners during league bowling banquets.Cory and Lisa Schneekloth have been talking to the Series for three years about buying the business someday, but when John had a heart attack in March, the idea turned into doctors orders."John doesn’t have a history of heart problems in his family," Ahne said. "But he is definitely a Type A person, so it’s pretty clear what caused this."In the interest of reducing stress in his life and making more time for golf and fishing, they put the wheels in motion to sell to the Schneekloths.For the Schneekloths, the venture will be a family business, and with plans to cater to younger bowlers, they’re hoping bowling becomes more of a family recreation in Luverne."John’s done a great job with the league system here, but there’s not much for kids," Cory said. "So we’re going to add more sound and lights and more concessions."Their own children, Brittany, 12, Cassie, 8, and Zachary, 4, are avid bowlers, and are already helping out at the lanes.The business is currently closed, and the Schneekloths are remodeling the entire interior with a 1950s theme of checkerboard floors and jukebox accessories.Concessions will include hotdogs, nachos, fresh popcorn, and, possibly in the future, burgers and other short-order grill items.In addition to attracting children to Luverne Lanes, Cory said they hope to organize a high school league with chances to advance to state tournaments.A Saturday morning league may be available for younger players in the future.In addition to hiring part-time high school help, the Schneekloths say they’ll rely heavily on existing employees, Pat Weerheim and Phil and Loretta Duffy."John has had good help," Cory said. "And John’s going to work some league nights for us, too."For the time being, the Schneekloths will continue working at their current jobs. Cory works at Amdahl Motors, Pipestone, and Lisa is part-time at the Luverne Medical Center.As far as the Series are concerned, they’re grateful for a lot of things right now.They’re grateful that John survived his heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. Only one in 10 people survive the type of attack he had, and at one point, paramedics said he was dead.They’re also grateful to be able to sell the business to the Schneekloths. "Bowling alley buyers don’t come along every day," John said. "And they’ll do a good job."Ahne said it was comforting to know the Schneekloths were interested in buying whenever the Series were ready to sell."It was important to us to be able to sell the bowling alley to local people who care about the community and about the bowling alley," she said.For many years, John said he planned to retire at 62 years old. His cardiac arrest was on March 22, and he turned 62 the next day."Luverne is a good bowling town," he said. "The bowlers have supported me, and everyone has been a good customer. It’s just been an enjoyable business."
