Back row from left, new co-owner Jason Petersen, former co-owner Russell Hansen, Scotchman Industries President Jerry Kroetch and Scotchman vice president of operations Gerry Rislov. Front, new co-owner Marlis Petersen, former co-owner Dorothy Hansen and Scotchman vice president of finance Karen Kroetch. Not pictured: Scotchman Industries’ Bruce Kroetch.

Scotchman Industries buys Rock ’N Roll Lanes

The Rock ‘N Roll Lanes bowling alley will no longer stand vacant. The 25-year-old business will re-open, with league play, food and a liquor license, Monday, Nov. 2.
Previous owners, Russell “Digger” and Dorothy Hansen, have sold the establishment to Scotchman Industries, Inc. Scotchmans has turned it around and is selling the long-run business to Jason and Marlis Petersen.
“We at Scotchman have been thinking about the bowling alley for several months,” said Jerry Kroetch, president of Scotchman Industries. “If we could find somebody to make it go and motivate it to keep it going, we would help finance it.”
“We thought if it didn’t get re-opened by the first of the year, it never would open as a bowling alley, maybe a warehouse or something,” said Kroetch.
They found that somebody. Within a week they had the price negotiated and had worked up a contract. “Really a win/win situation,” said Kroetch. Russell and Dorothy Hansen were able to sell, Jason and Marlis Peterson were able to buy, and the bowling alley remains open. “All Scotchman wanted out of this is that the bowling alley will be open. You and I know small towns need to keep every asset they can,” said Kroetch. “You lose this stuff and you start losing population, too.”
J. Peterson wanted to buy and operate the business because, “The bowling alley is more family oriented. It’s a winter time recreation that Philip can’t afford to lose.” M. Petersen added, “Jason and I wouldn’t be able to do it without Scotchmans.”
“We are totally elated that Jason and Marlis Petersen and Scotchman Industries have decided to secure the longevity of Philip and the community. Every business that can be secured is so important for us all. We so hope everyone shows them the support we were offered,” stated D. Hansen.
The Petersens will open for daily business Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to closing. Weekend hours are still to be determined. The liquor license from the Dakota Bar will follow the Petersens to the bowling alley, which will keep the name Rock ‘N Roll Lanes. M. Petersen echoed D. Hansen by stating, “Changing the name is business suicide. It’s a 25-year name known to Philip. If it isn’t broken, why fix it?”
D. Hansen said something that M. Petersen already knows, “When you run a business, there isn’t a job you don’t have.” Concerning some kitchen remodeling ideas, D. Hansen warned, “Don’t put a hammer to anything until the (blue)print is seen by Pierre building inspectors.” M. Petersen accepted the advice, saying, “We have some great shoes to fill.” The Hansens will continue to offer their experience and expertise, as D. Hansen stated, “This is still our baby, it was a lot of work to give birth to it.” Rock ‘N Rolls Lanes was started in 1990.
The Petersens are pushing for as many leagues as possible to get a quick start, men’s, women’s and mixed leagues. “Hopefully we can get a children’s league started, with parent participation,” said M. Petersen.
To join a bowling league, phone 441-7028 or 441-7003. Once re-opened, the bowling alley will continue to use its previous phone number of 859-2430.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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