Bowling has become increasingly popular within the past few years. According to Bowlers Journal International, almost 67 million bowlers participate in the sport annually in the country's estimated 12,000 bowling centers. In addition to the renewed interest in bowling, many bowling alleys have received a facelift as well. Now often called family entertainment centers, the facilities offer expanded lounges and more food and beverage choices, which help add more family appeal.

Get Your Business License

Choose your bowling pro shop business structure. Meet with a Certified Public Accountant experienced with hybrid businesses (e.g. companies that offer a mix of products and services). Ask her to recommend the best business structure for your bowling pro shop: a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company (LLC) or a conventional corporation.

Consult with a commercial insurance agent with experience similar to your accountant's. Visit your city or county clerk’s office for your bowling pro shop business license. Finally, contact your state’s Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax number.

Prepare Your Bowling Pro Shop

Select a convenient location. First, decide whether you want to locate the pro shop in a bowling center or in a stand-alone building. If you choose the first option, you’re limited to the existing bowling center locations. However, you will have a “captive” audience for your pro shop products.

In choosing the stand-alone option, look for a location near a bowling center without a bowling pro shop. Make it convenient for bowlers to drop by your shop before or after their bowling sessions. Install a front display window to showcase colorful bowling balls, bags, and gear.

Research the Bowling Market

Examine your regional bowling market. Visit local bowling centers, and gather information on their leagues, classes and tournaments. Taken together, this data will provide an anecdotal picture of the market’s activity. The information may also help you in making product choices. For example, a large number of women bowlers may convince you to order some specially made bowling shirts in colors that ladies prefer.

Investigate the Competition

Identify your competition. You have three types of competitors: pro shops in bowling centers, stand-alone pro shops and online pro shops.

First, visit regional pro shops to learn about their products. Take note of the shop’s appearance, depth of the product lines, and level of customer service. Look for an under-served market with some potential.

Browse an online bowling pro shop directory for information about online businesses. This directory also links to websites of brick-and-mortar pro shops.

Order Your Equipment

Order your balls, shoes, and gear. Use your bowling market information to place a wholesale product order. Choose bowling balls for different hand sizes and budgets, and shoes for men, women, and youth bowlers. Use volume discounts for towels and other generic items. Bring in a few test items you haven’t seen anywhere else. Finally, arrange a special order option to accommodate customers’ specific needs.

Hire Your Pro Shop's Staff

Hire bowling-friendly staff. Find employees who are avid bowlers, and they will communicate their enthusiasm to your customers. Ensure that staff is technically savvy so customers can receive the best advice on ball choice, grip, and technique. Finally, work with a local bowling professional to develop a series of skills classes.

Have Your Grand Opening

Hold a Grand Opening Bowling Benefit. Partner with a local bowling center to conduct a charity bowling tournament. Structure the entry fee to include a snazzy bowling shirt and a towel imprinted with your shop’s name. Offer equipment prizes to entrants who raise the most money. Advertise this charity tournament in the sports pages of local newspapers, and distribute flyers to bowling centers throughout your region.