Times Observer photo by Delaney Chase The Johnson family bowls together for the last time as owners of the Valley Bowling Center. Pictured, front row, are Faith Johnson, Kellie Johnson and Jessie Johnson. Back row are Kyle Coons, Dale Johnson, and Christopher Johnson.

YOUNGSVILLE – After nearly two decades of welcoming bowlers, hosting birthday parties and becoming a second family to countless community members, Dale and Kellie Johnson are saying goodbye to Valley Bowling Center.

The couple, who purchased the bowling alley in 2007 recently announced the sale of the business after 19 and a half years of ownership. While the decision marks the end of an era, the Johnsons say the relationships they built along the way are what they’ll remember most.

The Johnsons never expected to own a bowling alley. Dale said the opportunity arose after their sons joined a bowling league and they struck up conversations with the previous owner, who was preparing to sell.

“Neither one of us knew anything about bowling at the time,” Dale said.

Over the years, they learned the mechanics of bowling equipment and the day-to-day demands of running the county’s only bowling center. More importantly, they worked to transform Valley Bowling Center into a gathering place centered on families and the community.

“I believe it has become more of a family-oriented establishment,” Dale said. “We wanted to make it so it was an affordable place for a family to go and not have to spend a lot of money, but be able to be there for two or three hours and have fun.”

The bowling center became a popular destination for birthday parties, family outings and youth bowlers from communities across Warren County. It also served as a gathering place for local teenagers and league bowlers throughout the year.

The Johnsons also take great pride in the bowling center’s scholarship program, which has grown substantially with the support of local businesses and community members.

“So many businesses in the community are on board and support it,” Kellie said. “It’s just brought a lot of our small businesses together.”

Although the Johnsons were the faces behind the business, they credit the community with helping make Valley Bowling Center what it became.

“We raised our family there,” Kellie said. “It takes a village to raise your family, and honestly, those people were our village.”

She recalled customers stepping behind the counter to help run the business when one of their children became sick or lending a hand during busy nights.

“I can’t even tell you how many times they helped us,” she said.

After Dale’s retirement from a 45-year career at Betts Industries in 2023, the couple decided it was time to begin the next chapter.

“We thought it might take two years to sell,” Kellie said. “It only took four months.”

The business will now be operated by Jeremy and Taryne Lewis, a family the Johnsons believe shares their values and vision for the bowling center.

The Johnsons first met the Lewises through the youth bowling program, where the couple’s son participated. As conversations progressed, a friendship developed.

“They’re just an incredible family,” Kellie said. “Our thoughts and values align.”

Dale said he knew from their first meeting that the Lewises would be a good fit.

“They’re looking ahead and already seeing what they can do,” he said. “The fresh ideas that they have are going to be really good.”

The Johnsons will remain involved during the transition, planning to work alongside the new owners for at least a year to help ensure a seamless handoff.

“We want to help them get a really good start,” Kellie said.

Looking ahead, the couple hopes to spend more time traveling and with family, but they say they’ll always remain connected to the bowling center and the people who made it special.

“We would not have been there 19 years without all the support, love and encouragement from everyone in the community,” Kellie said. “There are literally hundreds of people we could thank.”

In their Facebook farewell, the Johnsons encouraged the community to embrace the Lewis family just as they were embraced nearly two decades ago.

“We truly could not have handpicked a better family to carry on Valley Bowling Center,” Kellie wrote. “Please welcome them and love them as you have our family.”

For the Johnsons, leaving the business doesn’t mean leaving behind the relationships built over nearly 20 years.

“We love you like family,” Kellie wrote. “Selling the alley does not change that.”