Residents missing one of the few entertainment venues in Harvard, 204 Lanes on Ayer Road, will be pleased to know that the refurbished candlepin bowling alley reopened under a new—old—name on Tuesday, June 4. Jim Shook, owner and operator, opened the doors to the Harvard Press for a sneak peek on Monday, offering a glimpse into the revamped retro style of the lanes.
Harvard Lanes owner Jim Shook talks to the Press about updates to the facilities and plans for community events. (Photos by Jen Manell)
The renovation of the space took place throughout the month of May, during which 204 Lanes was closed. In a nod to the past, Shook achieved a remarkable marriage of new and old both in renovations and name. The lanes were sanded and shined; the mechanisms that move the pins into place were repaired; the ball returns were refurbished; and the poorly functioning arcade games removed. However, the name returned to Harvard Lanes upon reopening; the original orange seating was retained along with the scorecards for tallying up games by hand; and the overall vibe matches that of its 1950s origin.
Candlepin steeped in local history
Shook’s passion for candlepin bowling is rivaled only by his commitment to keep Harvard Lanes a beloved staple in the community. His family moved to Harvard 20 years ago, and Shook recalled fond memories of time spent in the alley when it was under the tutelage of Tony Graceffa. Graceffa bought the facility in the late 1970s and ran it until his death in 2020. New owners purchased the bowling alley about a year later and renamed it 204 Lanes.
Harvard Lanes manager and former professional bowler, Skeeter Bearce, gives a newly re-finished lane a spin.
Shook bought the bowling alley in January of this year with the goal of providing the town with a place where young and old can participate in an activity together. Candlepin bowling is ripe with local history, having been first played in Worcester in 1880. According to the International Candlepin Bowling Association, the sport is unique in that it does not rely on brawn, but rather requires “great timing, dexterity, and patience from each participant.”
“Anyone can play, from 3 years old to 93 years old,” said Shook during an interview with the Press. “You don’t need to have any special skills to have a fun time. Like many of the best games, it’s easy to learn and hard to master.”
Shook installed a seating area where the old arcade used to be, but did include a few retro games like Pac-Man, Atari 50, and a claw machine. In addition to offering snack foods for purchase, bowlers of legal age can also enjoy beer, wine, and hard cider.
Harvard Lanes will host leagues Tuesdays through Thursdays, including a senior league on Wednesdays. Lanes will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, weekly. A grand opening celebration is planned for later in the summer.
Shook talked about his ongoing vision for Harvard Lanes, including expanding to include an outdoor space for the warmer months. He envisions live music, food trucks, and events that will draw the community together.
On Monday, for example, Harvard Lanes hosted an event with the Ayer Shirley school district and had over 90 people in attendance. According to Skeeter Bearce, manager of Harvard Lanes, a local professional bowler will begin playing at Harvard Lanes, and the Amateur Candlepin Bowling Tour will host its televised finals Sept. 7 at the bowling alley.
“We want this to be the best place in town, in Nashoba Valley,” said Shook. “We want it to be the place people go when they have an event, [when they] want something fun to do on a Friday or Saturday. The community seems really excited about it.”
The original name has been restored.
