Congratulations Strikes & Spares!

On Tuesday, March 3, Strikes & Spares Entertainment Center was named Small Business of the Year by the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce at their annual Salute to Business Luncheon. As sponsor of the award, Kruggel Lawton gets to announce the winner on stage each year. Partner Bill Heffelfinger did the honors and felt great pride being able to hand the award over to a Kruggel Lawton client!

A professional engineer by training and education, with an MBA degree, entrepreneur Paulo Teixeira launched Strikes & Spares Entertainment Center in 2004. Located on Grape Road in Mishawaka, Strikes & Spares offers a variety of entertainment options for the entire family.

In order to keep people coming back, Paulo quickly realized that he needed to continue adding new attractions to make the Center a destination by providing something for everyone.

In 2008, Strikes & Spares added a nine-hole black-light indoor miniature golf course and a birthday party area. In 2009, more space was leased in the same building to allow for the addition of electric go-karts. In 2013, bumper cars and mini bowling were added. In 2014, the arcade area was remodeled and new LED monitors were added to the bowling lanes.

While many retail businesses and bowling centers struggled and closed during the recession of 2008 and 2009, Strikes & Spares continued to make investments when the market was weak and hiring when others were enforcing layoffs.

As a result of this strategy, Strikes & Spares has doubled in size and become “party central” as one of the premier entertainment facilities in the Midwest! In the past three years, business has grown on average 2% per year, with a 6% increase expected in 2014.

Among other awards, it has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, the South Bend Tribune, and as a favorite destination place by Google. An article in the November 2014 issue of International Bowling Industry magazine further applauded Strikes & Spares as being a leader in innovation among its competition and a spectacularly successful family entertainment center.

Recognizing that they couldn't get where they are without the wider community, Strikes & Spares has also made it a priority to give back. In the last five years they have donated in excess of $160,000 to local nonprofit and fundraising organizations.

Congratulations Strikes & Spares! Kruggel Lawton is proud to serve as a partner in your success!