Chicago-area bowling allies: New owner reopens Town Hall Bowl in Cicero, documents rehab project on social media
Share and Follow

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) — A celebration was held in Cicero on Saturday as Town Hall Bowl reopened its doors.

A 25-year-old owner rehabbed the business with some help from his more than one million social media followers.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Each throw and pin knocked down are now part of a new chapter of life for Town Hall Bowl in Cicero.

“It’s sort of surreal because I’ve been, like, living in this bowling alley for, what feels like, the last three months,” Town Hall Bowl owner Yianni Mavrakis said. “Probably spent 15 nights in it doing the amount of work that I have to paint the walls, get it ready for this day.”

Its newest owner, Mavrakis, took the struggling 60-year-old bowling alley on a new lane, spending months rehabilitating the building.

“This place was abused,” Mavrakis said. “The previous owners did not take care of it.”

A lot of places like this are going down now, and to see one just being revived and getting a second chance is very big

Cesar Gomez, grand opening attendee

All the work was done to prepare for the launch of its grand reopening Saturday, with music, food and sports delivering a slam dunk success for professional and amateur bowlers alike.

“When I’m in here and there’s a family here having a good time, like, that’s what keeps me rolling,” Mavrakis said.

His efforts to revive the facility were viewed millions of times on social media.

“It felt like I was stepping into the Instagram post,” grand opening attendee Chantelle Roulston said. “Like, it’s incredible to see the behind-the-scenes and the final product.”

It’s a dream no longer.

“There’s a lot of energy,” Roulston said. “People are laughing. People around me are cheering me on.”

Now, it’s striking a nostalgic reality.

“Growing up, I did competitions here, youth competitions,” professional bowler Nick Anderson said. “I can see a couple future professional bowlers. It’s a couple of them that have been throwing some strikes.”

SEE ALSO | Toys ‘R’ Us holds grand opening at Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora

“A lot of places like this are going down now, and to see one just being revived and getting a second chance is very big,” grand opening attendee Cesar Gomez said.

“This place will be successful so long as the community accepts it,” Mavrakis said.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
New York needs Elise Stefanik and more: Letters

Why New York’s Future Could Depend on Leaders Like Elise Stefanik: Reader Opinions

Come back, Elise It’s unfortunate that Rep. Elise Stefanik chose not to…
Year-end tax trap if you don't act BEFORE December 31: Expert guide

Avoid the Year-End Tax Trap: Expert Tips to Maximize Savings Before December 31

A unique twist in Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act is…
Italian authorities arrest 9 people who allegedly used charities to funnel more than $8m to Hamas

Unmasking Deception: Italian Authorities Dismantle $8M Charity Fraud Funneling Funds to Hamas

Italian authorities have apprehended nine individuals associated with three charitable organizations, alleging…
Funeral today Tim Jones: Community to honor life of Park Forest detective at Tinley Park High School who died after shooting

Park Forest Remembers: Community Gathers at Tinley Park High School to Honor Detective Tim Jones After Tragic Loss

In Park Forest, Illinois, Detective Tim Jones, who was left paralyzed by…
Gilded Age mansion is transformed after it's saved from demolition

Historic Gilded Age Mansion Rescued from Demolition and Beautifully Restored

A once-dilapidated mansion from the Gilded Age has experienced a remarkable revival,…
Exclusive | Times Square hotel offering $120K NYE packages for couples

Unwrap Luxury: Times Square Hotel Unveils $120K New Year’s Eve Experience for Couples

Get ready to dig deep into your pockets if you plan to…
Texas 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos vanishes outside her home on Christmas Eve

Urgent Search Underway for Missing Texas Teen Camila Mendoza Olmos, Last Seen on Christmas Eve

A search effort is actively underway in Texas this Saturday as authorities…
Portnoy hails Michigan's $41m deal for Whittingham after Moore's exit

Michigan Scores Big: $41M Whittingham Deal Celebrated by Portnoy After Moore’s Departure

Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy enthusiastically announced that Michigan is ‘f***ing back’…