Brian’s Bowlaway - Gardner, MA

123 Main Street, Gardner, MA 01440 

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While candlepin bowling alleys can be found in limited locations across the United States and is played primarily in the Canadian Maritime provinces, the sport is native to New England. It was developed in 1880 in Worcester, Massachusetts, just 30 miles northwest of Gardner.

In 1989, Brian Favreau opened Brian’s Bowlaway. The 14-lane bowling alley had been at 123 Main Street for years. In fact, Favreau spent time during his teenage years here, even becoming city champ in 1973. His love for this game of skill pulled him away from the gas station business he had previously owned.

“This isn’t like 10 pin,” Favreau explains, “Strikes are more rare.” The pins are smaller and stand a foot apart. The balls are smaller (about 2 pounds, 7 ounces) and fit into the palm of the hand.

Located 60 miles northwest of Boston, Favreau describes Gardner as a small town, “where you can walk 100 yards [from his bowling alley] and be in the center of town.” Main Street is changing. Once a mix of commercial and residential, it is becoming more commercial. A new business has just broken ground across the street from the bowling alley.

Favreau not only knows most of his customers by name, but also by shoe size. “Every Saturday, I have 70 special needs kids that come to play. I know every one of them and their shoes are all laid out.”

During the week, Favreau welcomes league play and the general public on weekends. It’s a BYOB establishment that has stacks of menus from the neighborhood restaurants so players can have food delivered. Parties are also popular. “This is my house, but I tell people they can have the party they want to have.” He’s had everything from piles of pizzas to a long line of potluck crockpots.

While customers will find a lot of fun at the bowling alley, the one thing they won’t find is another employee. The building where Favreau spent his youth is now where he spends every day except Mondays. “Secretary, mechanic, frontman – I do it all,” he says. He even fills the role of painter, “That was my summer project. Now every two lanes are a different color.”

This family-friendly bowling alley does have hours that are posted, but Favreau is there for his customers. Whenever someone asks how late he’s open, Favreau happily replies, “I’m open until you stop throwing money at me.”