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Published on: 4/4/2007
Last Visited: 4/4/2007
After signing the lease, its current owner, Aaron Duke, spent six months renovating the space that had been closed for three years.Rotted wood from flooding that was not taken care of in a timely or efficient manner meant that inside walls had to be torn down and replaced.After a six-figure rehab project that Duke describes as "six months of blood sweat and tears," they are currently open for business.
Before its closing, the space had housed a bowling alley for 40 years.The previous owner made it a nightclub and covered the bowling lanes with flooring.Duke says that the nightclub caused problems in the surrounding neighborhood, attracting a large number of people, and that the local authorities were often called in response to fights and other disturbances.
The concerns of residents in the area, fearing history repeating itself through Double A Lanes, created roadblocks for Duke during the licensing process.But even with obstacles, Double A Lanes opened its doors on September 5 of last year, and though they still face the challenges of a new business, Duke says, "Things are going up very nice.It's actually wonderful."
What makes it a bowling center as oppose to a bowling alley?The variety of activities they offer.This includes, outside of bowling, arcade games, pool tables, dart games, Texas hold 'em poker, party rooms, pull tabs, a full kitchen, a nightclub, and a sports bar."The concept we were looking at was creating an environment that has something for everyone and that people will feel very comfortable about coming to," Duke said.
The center is on the lower level of the mall.Taking this into consideration, Duke's goal was to make it a warm and inviting place, so he added lots of color.During "moonlight bowling," the lanes, seats, and floors are alight with neon.
The club area features a hip hop night, old-school R&B, open-mic spoken word, karaoke and live bands.Those who arrive early on salsa marengo night can learn from a dance instructor.
Duke, who describes himself as nostalgic, retained as much of the building's history as possible.Taking pieces of the old lanes, he had them laid in the sports bar area of the facility.
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Duke, who is also a cousin of Tonya Puckett, has several picture of Kirby Puckett as well.
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Coming from a family of 13 children, Duke says his roots in St. Paul are as deep as they can go."As many families [members] in the '60s with that many kids…I'm very familiar with commodity cheese and being on welfare."
Duke says that he was blessed with two parents that made them feel that "if they couldn't open doors for you at least led you to believe that you could open them."
Duke is a product of 26 years of corporate America.At age 17 he was a "Bell Brat."His father, who worked for Northwestern Bell, which is now Qwest, got him into an internship program at the phone company while he was still in high school.This paid for his college education.He took a military leave of absence and joined the Marine Corps, where he studied to be an electrician.He returned to the phone company and completed a total of 20 years of service before he left in 1996.
He says he has drive, which he attributes to his father."My father was very strong about never sitting down.You don't stop - you keep moving.If you're falling, at least fall forward."
Duke left the phone company for Target Corporation, managing their software development team, but says he felt "empowered, yet powerless."
"What you find in corporate America…is companies are really good about using you up, and I don't say that with any malice; it's just the nature of the beast…
"I was also tired of hitting the glass ceilings…Knowing that certain doors were closed to me because of my color.You can only fit so well and into certain levels at any major corporation, because I've yet to experience any of them that still aren't, if not run by, are governed by the good old boys club."
Duke and his brother Andre have always shared entrepreneurial interests, but a bowling center was never a proposed goal.In fact, Duke was in the process of negotiating for a chain of gas stations/mechanic shops when his brother called and told him that there was a bowling alley available in the Columbia Heights area.
He recalls viewing the facility for the first time with pen lights because there were only two lights working in the entire 30,000 square feet space.
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Duke strongly believes that the area is maturing and becoming extremely diverse.
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After the six months to build the space, and six months of being in business, Duke says, "It has been stressful, it has been painful, and it has been absolutely wonderful."
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