by Emily Mosier
The City of Troy is about to get both its first bowling alley and only arcade. GoodTimes Bowling is being constructed adjacent to Publix and is expected to open in mid-October.
The bowling alley will feature 16 lanes, 35-45 arcade games and a full kitchen and bar. The alley will also bring between 40 and 45 new jobs to Troy.
Owner Scott Good said bowling is an activity for all types and ages of people.
“You don’t have to be the biggest guy on the football team or the loudest cheerleader,” Good said. “I want people to enjoy themselves, I want the staff to be friendly and nice, and I want to be family-oriented.”
Good has owned a GoodTimes location in Auburn since 2018, but before that, he owned a pro bowling shop for over 20 years.
“My dad was a lifelong bowler, and I’ve been a little bowling rat since I was probably about six years old,” Good said. “They would pay me $2 a night to keep score . . . and I fell in love with it.”
The construction contract was signed in January and ground was broken in February. GoodTimes will close at 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on weekends, and it is possible to have large parties and events at this venue.
The Tropolitan spoke with several students who said they were excited about the bowling alley opening.
“I have enjoyed bowling ever since I was a little kid, and I used to go bowling with my family almost every weekend,” said Briony Barefeild, a junior social work major from Ozark, Alabama. “I think a bowling alley and arcade in Troy would be amazing.
“Troy is a college town, yet there is very little activities for college students to do, so most of the time, we have to drive to Montgomery or Dothan to participate in fun activities.”
GoodTimes is not the only new business coming to Troy. A Baumhower Victory Grille and a hotel are both expected to open soon. Last year, an escape room opened.
Dana Sanders, the president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, said she expects Troy’s business community will continue to grow.
“Troy is seeing new businesses come to town thanks to a strong partnership between our economic development team and city and county governments,” Sanders said. “They recognize that enhancing the quality of life is an important issue to keep students here after graduation and give residents an opportunity to spend dollars locally.” For more information about GoodTimes Bowling, visit goodtimesbowling.com.
