I read this story on NPR this morning. I grew up in Surry, Maine and loved hitting up the Candlepin bowling alley over in Ellsworth. Well I guess it has fallen on hard times and this young lady named Autumn has bought it. She is the only employee and she works to keep the place running.

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/29/1151848417/a-maine-community-comes-together-to-save-a-candlepin-bowling-tradition

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-keep-my-business-going-save-candlepin?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

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Astrocragg t1_j6i3yam wrote on January 30, 2023 at 2:26 PM

I've been within the last few months. They have a bar (staffed by volunteers) and free pool tables, which is worth stopping by for a few beers and a couple games, and to throw some money in the donation bin.

It definitely feels more like a community center or "public house" than the straight-ahead business it used to be, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

DrDrBender t1_j6gtvbb wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:30 AM

That used to be my home alley, really awesome to see that it is still going. Growing up in the area there was not a ton to do, so the the next door comic book store and McDonalds plus bowling was hard to to resist.

DrDrBender t1_j6gun4q wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:37 AM

Also money donated.

fallingfrog t1_j6gt7s3 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:23 AM

Oh I used to go there all the time back in the 90’s

thetaoofroth t1_j6hutwq wrote on January 30, 2023 at 1:10 PM

Great alley, used to go here to get off the island for an evening. Would 100% go back if I were still in ME

kill_la_strelok t1_j6iza0x wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:52 PM

Go there quite a bit. It's definitely rough around the edges but the owner's very nice and motivated, and the food at the bar is pretty good

Freeman0032 t1_j6ioyj2 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 4:48 PM

its not bad.

mainebringstheheat t1_j6hxlcu wrote on January 30, 2023 at 1:35 PM

I went to an alley in Lewiston recently and all the technology was still from 1995-2001 and was pretty run down! Gotta keep your business up to date with the current times imo!

Realistic_Chard2115 OP t1_j6i9ghz wrote on January 30, 2023 at 3:06 PM

From what I had read in the article she is currently unable to find parts for candlepin.

trucks_guns_n_beer t1_j6hv3qy wrote on January 30, 2023 at 1:13 PM

not since the last owner was caught diddlying kids upstairs!

we tried to schedule a party, and the new young lady owner just complained about how HARD it is for a 1/2 hour instead of booking us. try the brewer one. the ellsworth place was run down 20 years ago.

Realistic_Chard2115 OP t1_j6i9y9t wrote on January 30, 2023 at 3:09 PM

In the article it mentions the former owners didn’t not maintain the equipment the way they should have, though it did not mention the child molestation. 🤮

trucks_guns_n_beer t1_j6ir2r1 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:02 PM

https://www.ellsworthamerican.com/news/cops/sexual-contact-charge-dropped-against-former-bowling-alley-owner/article_469b1e8c-e8f9-56ec-81d6-67868a0b8568.html

trucks_guns_n_beer t1_j6ircea wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:03 PM

apparently the charges were dropped... enough down voting...and its still very run down. the kitchen is run by someone else, so appointment necc there, also.