Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of stories about the local businesses in the City of Fairborn, putting a face to the names of those that have been part of the community for many years and some of those well-kept secrets.
FAIRBORN — Fairborn used to have two bowling places: Aero Lanes behind Baker Junior High and the bowling alley on Broad Street. Dave Flemming, who used to own Aero Lanes for around 20 years, sold it and moved to Bowl 10 on North Broad Street.
Dave has been in the bowling business since 1981 with ownership of bowling alleys but his roots in bowling stem back further in his childhood. He said that when he was growing up, bowling alleys were the heart of communities. The weather isn’t an issue and it’s family friendly. A grandfather can play on the same field as his grandchildren, and instead of watching from the stands, he can participate with the children and bond.
Bowl 10 opens at 11 a.m. every day except Monday, when it is closed. It has 20 lanes and can fit five people to a lane. It has 14 leagues and a great junior program with Tony Cherpeski, who spends a lot of time helping the kids, teaching them all about the sport.
Its busiest season is January through March, but bowling season goes from September to April. They have a place for food and alcohol and a lounge for birthday parties and events. Bowl 10 does fundraisers for local events, including Fairborn and Enon little league softball and baseball.
“We love helping support the community and children are a big part of our business and we love giving back to them,” Dave said. “We like to think we are an important part of the Fairborn Community and want to support them as they support us.”
He said he just got a thing from his national organization that they are working with the Silver Sneakers through the YMCA bowlers as they think it’s a good activity for seniors. He welcomes the seniors to include them in their programs, especially since Fairborn has such a great senior center.
Bowling is a healthy activity that would give them something to do especially during winter months. They can spend time together and the cost is very reasonable, getting them out of the house a couple of hours a week.
The biggest change Dave has made since taking over Bowl 10 is the Kids Bowl Free Program. During the summer kids can sign up online at KidsBowlFree.com and receive two free games every day in the summer. That has been around for about six years and is good up for kids up to age 15.
At Bowl 10, children can bowl without having an adult with them. “We encourage kids to come in, but they must bowl or be involved in activities. Bowl 10 is one of the few places where a parent can drop their kid off to bowl and pick them up later as this is a safe and friendly place for all.”
Flemming said Fairborn’s local businesses need the support of the community. The mom-and-pop businesses are what makes a difference in Fairborn and people need to support what is here so it can grow. If the people don’t support the businesses, they will not grow. He is focused not on himself, but his bowlers, making sure they have a great time. He really enjoys watching people enjoying the sport he grew up with as a child, and he hopes they will have fond memories like he does now when they get older too.
