Couple looks to breathe new life into old alley

Derek and Kristen Larson are hoping to breathe new life into Glacier Lanes in Columbia Falls.

The artistically inclined couple bought the area icon in October and are looking to make some exciting changes in the near future, including bringing in live musical acts, hosting local visual and film artists, installing a beer tap system and serving food. Of course, there will still be bowling.

“We were looking for a business opportunity where we would be able to give back to the community. We like to play and have fun, so that is what drew us to this bowling alley,” Derek said.

“We wanted a space that could evolve and that we could build our dreams into but still keep it the same old local bowling alley,” Kirsten added. “When we first saw that it was for sale, it really didn’t register on our radar. Then, after we thought about it, we figured it could be a really cool opportunity. Let’s make it into our dream place.”

Originally built in the 1960s, the Larsons bought the bowling alley from long-time owners Steve Ferkovich and Greg Bauska and have decided to not only keep the alley’s vintage look, they want to enhance the nostalgic feel of the building.

The large Elmer Sprunger mural will remain in place above the lanes, as will many of the vintage signs around the building. The original pinsetters will also be staying in place.

The Larsons will be looking to add a stage area inside the building to accommodate musical acts, such as area groups The Stringlers and The Lucitones, who have already played at the alley since October.

Along with their musical plans, the Larsons also hope to add a small diner, possibly move the casino machines to create a “family area” with ping-pong and arcade games and even add a drop-down screen over the lanes so they can host movie nights and film festivals.

“We have a lot of future plans for the place, but we are not sure what our timeline is,” Derek said. “We want it to be eclectic, but all-inclusive at the same time.”

For the Larsons, ownership of the alley represents a trip full circle. Both are originally from Kalispell and met in the seventh grade. The couple reconnected in Boston while they were in college as Derek was attending the Berklee College of Music and Kristen was at Bunker Hill Community College.

After living in Portland, Ore., for a time, the couple made the move back to the Flathead Valley five years ago.

For Kirsten, the ties to the bowling alley location run deep as her parents met just next door at the B&B grocery store, now Smith’s. These days, she is excited to be giving back to the community here.

“Right now we are having our sleeping bag drive where anyone who brings in a sleeping bag gets a free game of bowling,” she said. “It’s a great way to give back and have some fun at the same time.”

Just having fun at Glacier Lanes seems to be one the biggest goals for the Larsons.

“Right now we are just learning the business and picking up steam,” Derek said. “We want to make it into a great place to hang out, but it takes a lot of work to get there. We want to work really hard, so we can then hang out and have fun.”