Plum's Nesbit's Lane set to reopen in August, fundraiser to follow

Anthony Tierno said he’s hoping Aug. 18 will mark the beginning of a “new era” at Nesbit’s Lanes in Plum.

That’s the date the 78-year-old bowling alley is set to reopen. The alley has been shuttered since May for renovations to its interiors and repairs to its roof after a tree fell on the structure this spring.

Tierno, who bought the business from longtime owner Rich Nesbit last year, said aside from the bowling lanes and machinery, almost everything inside the business will be new.

That includes new furniture and countertops, a more “open concept” floor plan and a rearrangement of part of the alley’s layout. Currently, work crews are in the process of replacing the building’s flooring, Tierno said, and roofers are placing the final shingles on the structure.

“It’s scary, but it’s all coming together at the same time,” he said.

Though he’s new to ownership, Tierno, 39, has been working at Nesbit’s since he was a teenager.

He said he intends to keep running the business like Rich — “community-oriented” and “youth-focused” — but he hopes the renovations give the alley a “facelift” as he takes the reins.

Almost as soon as Nesbit’s reopens, Tierno said he expects bowling league play to resume.

But in the first week of business, the owner said he’s also planning to devote a day to a friend.

On Aug. 24, all of the profits generated at the lanes will go to Matt Tomlinson, an avid Nesbit’s bowler who was diagnosed with ALS last year.

Katie Slepsky, a Plum resident and longtime friend of Tomlinson, helped organize the fundraiser.

She said bowlers will be able to reserve lanes for up to six people throughout the day, with pizza and pop provided.

In addition, Nesbit’s will host a 50-50 drawing and raffle off several gift baskets to generate additional funds on the 24th, Slepsky said.

“It’s not just bowling; it’s hopefully going to be a nice big event,” she said.

While she said she doesn’t have a specific dollar amount goal, Slepsky said she’s hoping to “blow it out of the water.”

As of Aug. 7, she said more than half of the lanes throughout the day have already been reserved, but she expects to sell out before the day of the fundraiser.

The money will go toward Tomlinson’s medical bills and the physical modifications required in his home to navigate his condition, she said. But Slepsky said she hopes the fundraiser can also serve as a show of support for the Tomlinson family.

“I want him to know everybody cares,” she said.