Partner Spotlight: Surfside Bowl

Now “married with a baby”, Kris Dallmann Hedges and A.J. Hedges first met at Surfside Bowl. His family has been involved with the business since the early 1980’s, and has owned it since the 1990’s. The bowling alley, located at 1015 Sheridan Road, has played a pivotal role in the lives of many others as well. The KACVB learned more about the family owned and operated business from Kris and A.J.
 
Surfside Bowl is open year round: weekdays from 5 p.m. to close and weekends 9 a.m. to close. Open bowling is always offered; a feature many alleys don’t offer. In addition, the 20-lane bowling alley is available for league play (including in the summer), birthday parties, company outings, school field trips, and fundraisers. Tournaments are offered throughout the year.
 
Located on the Lake Michigan shore, Surfside Bowl is the home of the Bradford High School bowling team, with A.J. coaching the girls’ team. Located just up the road from Carthage College, they see many Carthage students and have offered specials to college kids.
 
A full bar is offered with food. The menu includes pizza, chicken strips, French fries, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, cheese curds, and pizza rolls. Adding to the family atmosphere, Kris and A.J. also point out they have a friendly and funny staff.
 
Bumper bowling for kids is available. Shoes of all sizes are offered, from little kids to men’s and women’s sizes. A large assortment of bowling balls are ready and waiting for recreational bowlers who have not committed to their own equipment. A.J. advises that when it comes to bowling balls: the heavier, the better. However, choose your ball according to whatever your physical abilities dictate.
 
Bowling is an “inexpensive way to have a fun evening out,” A.J. says. Whether that is bowling with the family, on a date, or even alone. They say you can bowl really bad or really good, and still have a good time.
 
Couples first meet at Surfside Bowl, such as A.J. and Kris did. Couples have had their first dates there. One such couple, getting married in a few months, had their professional photos taken at Surfside. Couples have gotten engaged there. Some have gotten married elsewhere, and then come to bowl before attending their reception. Some, like A.J. and Kris, have wedding photos taken there. Prom attendees also stop to bowl after.
 
When A.J. was 11 years old, he was working at Surfside, which was built in 1955. He grew up bowling, as that has “been pretty much our lives,” he says. Does growing up in a bowling alley translate to being a good bowler? His wife confirms he’s a very good bowler. She admits to not being a good one, but she bowls in a Tuesday night league.
 
Kris stresses Surfside Bowl is a family-owned business, and it has “been a staple in Kenosha for a really long time. People keep coming back year after year.” It’s a close-knit clientele, with new friends always welcome. “The bowling community is one-of-a-kind,” Kris says.
 
The KACVB welcomes Surfside Bowl as a tourism partner in 2012! The business became a partner because they were looking for different ways to promote their business, A.J. says. The KACVB’s Facebook page piqued their interest.
 
Next time you’re looking for a fun night out, spares and strikes await you at Surfside Bowl.
 
For more information: (262) 552-8303, www.surfsidebowl.com