Plum's Nesbit's Lanes reopens with 'facelift'

After a summerlong closure, longtime Plum staple Nesbit’s Lanes reopened this week.

The reopening offered bowlers their first glimpse of the bowling alley, which was completely renovated and redesigned after 78 years in business.

Anthony Tierno, who bought the business from Rich Nesbit last year, said the changes included new wall paneling, floors, furniture and countertops as well as the removal of small brick walls for a more open concept.

On his first day back in business, Tierno said new faces and regulars alike were waiting at the door for Nesbit’s 9 a.m. opening. The renovations weren’t easy, but the owner said he appreciates the community showing up to support the business.

“When we were in the thick of things, it was rough day to day,” Tierno said. “But now, sitting here and looking at it all, it turned out really good.”

Alex Smith said he’s been bowling at Nesbit’s since he was a toddler.

Now a recent college graduate, Smith, 23, said the renovations have brought “a really nice change.”

Smith said he still picks up shifts at Nesbit’s on the weekends in addition to his day job, and he’s excited to see the direction Tierno will take the business.

“Hopefully, we’re going to make some memories in this new place,” Smith said.

The Murrysville resident holds the alley’s scoring record — 879 in a three-game series — and he expects to jump back into league play soon.

For some bowlers, those matches could begin as soon as Tuesday, Tierno said. Though workers are still putting the final touches on flooring in some places, Tierno said he wanted to reopen to allow leagues to jump back into play.

As soon as she saw Nesbit’s was reopened, Plum resident Connie Makarevich said she decided to come down and bowl with her son, Tannor.

Makarevich said the alley, which she visited with her parents when she was a kid, feels more modern and open.

Though she said she has plenty of memories at the old alley, Makarevich said she was glad to see the community supporting the revamped Nesbit’s.

“It’s the people who make a place,” she said.

Surrounded by her young children, Stephanie Holtz said she was proud of Tierno — her brother.

“To see him own it and completely redo it, it’s awesome,” she said.

With its previous carpeted walls and brick partitions, Holtz said the business could have used a face-lift.

A Plum graduate, she grew up going to Nesbit’s for after-school bowling. Now, Holtz said, her children will participate in the same program.

Fundraiser Sunday

On Sunday, Aug. 24, Tierno said, 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.

In addition, Nesbit’s will host a 50-50 drawing and raffle off several gift baskets to generate additional funds that day.

Those gift baskets were already out during the reopening, and bowlers can enter the raffle until winners are drawn Sunday.

Nearly all the lanes Sunday have been sold, but Tierno said about half a dozen remain open in the evening.

The money generated from the fundraiser will go toward Tomlinson’s medical bills and the physical modifications required in his home to navigate his condition.