Story By John Mann

There was a huge turnout at Frank’s Thunder Alley bowling last Friday as they celebrated their twenty fifth anniversary with a special ribbon cutting ceremony where owner Frank Caracci even received the key to the city from Boaz Mayor David Dyar for his contributions to the community.

“Over the years Frank and his wonderful family have experienced the ups and downs of business,” Boaz Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jill Johnson said. “During even the challenges of the covid era their commitment to the community speaks volumes as they have been a source of support for countless organizations throughout the years. Today we honor Frank and his family for their remarkable accomplishments and the positive impact they’ve made in Boaz.”

Caracci got his start in Boaz in the late nineties, feeling like there was a lack of entertainment options for families in the area he took a chance on the bowling alley as well as a theater. At one point he was operating five businesses in the city.

The covid pandemic of the early 2020s hit Caracci hard, forcing him to close the doors of his businesses and pay for his expenses himself. Despite his best efforts he even had to give up the Boaz 9 movie theater. The bowling alley managed to hang on though, and when the lockdowns lifted he was able to finally reopen Thunder Alley and welcome back his customers. Caracci made special mention of the support he received from the city and mayor during the pandemic and how they helped him stay on his feet.

“Working with David Dyar has been wonderful,” Caracci said. “He and the city council have really been here for me. Jill’s been amazing, Grumpy’s did a great job with the food here today, the police department have really helped us out and made it so we can have a real officer in here which is why we have barely any problems even on nights when you can hardly move in here. It’s been wonderful.”

Today Frank’s has a little bit of everything. There are twenty four bowling lanes, a game room, snack bar, two party rooms, a conference room and even a full bar with draft beer. In fact the bar will be the next project for Caracci, who plans to expand it by twenty five hundred feet and add pool tables and a dancing space.

The bar is just the latest project for the alley, with Caracci having spent the last few years updating everything from the lanes themselves to the carpets and lighting. He says the bar for now will be his last project, stating that the alley is “full to the gills.”

“I want you to look around the bowling alley and how gorgeous it is,” Johnson said. “Take time to look at all the paintings Frank’s done and the flooring he’s done, everything is just awesome. We come here and play and it’s such a clean, nice place. Everyone is so kind and we’re blessed to have this in Boaz, Alabama.”

In addition to league play Frank’s also offers two dollar days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hours vary but the alley is open seven days a week, after noon on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday and later in the afternoons every other day. Frank’s is located at 425 South McCleskey Street in Boaz and more information can be found at franksthunderalley.com.