If you think Tom ‘N Gary’s Bowling Center has a familiar ring to it, you’re not alone. Tom Jacques and Gary Houfer thought the similarity to the old Tom & Jerry cartoons about the antics of a cat and mouse would make it a catchy name for their new business. They’ve even included images of a cat and mouse on signs above the entrance and over the bowling lanes. Jacques, who lives in Waverly, and Houfer of Annandale bought the 12-lane bowling alley and bar June 1 and opened for business three weeks later. The Main Street establishment had been owned and operated for nearly two years as Wizzler’s Bowling and Rec Center by Jeff Weinzetl, his wife, Shelly, and their family. The new proprietors have never owned a bowling alley before, but Jacques worked at one for several years, and both are bowlers themselves. "You have to be a bowler to understand bowling," Houfer said. He was self-employed in construction for 20 years and Jacques has installed overhead fire sprinklers for 35 years. "This opportunity came up and we jumped on it," Jacques said. They’re actually running two businesses, he said – a bar and a bowling center – and they plan to be open seven days a week year-round. As far as the partners know, it will be the first time the operation hasn’t closed for the summer. They hope to generate some of their summertime business from families – both adults and kids – who come to the Annandale area to enjoy the lakes. Business has been good in the first month, they said. "It’s getting better every week that we’re open," according to Jacques. On the bar side, they’re planning to expand the food menu soon, moving beyond snacks to light meals such as burgers and chicken baskets and offering rib and steak specials. On the bowling side, the new owners are already having the hardwood lanes refinished, a 10-day job that has silenced the sound of balls hitting pins until Saturday, Aug. 1. The bar and food service remain open. They also plan to expand the number of leagues from five that have operated in the past to eight. That would include an extra men’s league on Monday or Tuesday nights and additional mixed couples leagues on Saturday and Sunday nights. League play will start around the end of August-beginning of September and continue until March or April. Bowlers, teams or individuals, can sign up by calling 274-BOWL. Tom ‘N Gary’s will find a team for individual callers. "We have a team that’s been bowling since 1959," Houfer said. The women’s league team formed the year the bowling alley opened with six lanes. "They’ve been bowling here ever since." Tom ‘N Gary’s will hold a grand opening starting at noon Saturday, Aug. 8, and featuring special prices on bowling and drinks.
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