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Updated: October 2, 2023

Portland’s Bayside Bowl expands with acquisition of SoPo retail building

bowling lanes and settees Courtesy / Bayside Bowl 10 existing lanes at the South Portland location “are in tremendous shape,” said Bayside Bowl owner Charlie Mitchell.
By Laurie Schreiber

Proximity to the Bayside Bowl in Portland, along with physical similarities, a patio and — conveniently — bowling lanes were top-of-mind when the company’s owner bought a second location in South Portland to expand the business.

“I hadn’t been planning on expanding,” said Charlie Mitchell. “But when the opportunity came along and the price was right, it seemed like the right move for us.”

building exterior grass small bushes
Courtesy / Bayside Bowl
Work is underway to install new signage and refresh the landscaping.

Mitchell bought 725 Broadway from FT Holdings LLC for an undisclosed price. 

Joe Malone and Jennifer Small of Malone Commercial Brokers brokered the transaction.

The location is a 13,650-square-foot retail building formerly occupied by the Sea Dog Brewing Co. restaurant with bowling lanes.

Broadway Bowl

The expansion, to be called Broadway Bowl, comes 13 years after Mitchell started Bayside Bowl, a bowling center and entertainment venue in Portland's West Bayside neighborhood, with Justin Alfond.

Bayside Bowl started in 2010 with 12 lanes. In 2017, the venue underwent a 25,000-square-foot expansion — bringing the space to 40,000 square feet and adding eight lanes, a mezzanine with full bar, an old-school arcade, a rooftop bar with a taco truck and fire pit, and a 422-panel roof-mounted solar energy array. 

In 2020, Mitchell became the sole proprietor after buying out his former business partner. 

10 lanes

Mitchell expressed enthusiasm about the SoPo acquisition, citing the location’s proximity to the existing Bayside Bowl at 58 Alder St. He noted that the new venue features an outdoor patio reminiscent of Bayside’s roof patio and a bar layout that mirrors the original establishment. 

person in jacket outside
FILE PHOTO / TIM GREENWAY
Charlie Mitchell.

Bowling remains the core focus at the new venue, he added.

The Portland location has 20 lanes for 10-pin bowling. Amenities include a rooftop patio and indoor space for live music, food and drinks, and events.

The South Portland location came with 10 lanes and a wraparound patio on the Greenbelt Walkway with views of the harbor.

The fit-up

Work is underway to refresh the SoPo spot’s interior aesthetics and reorganize the kitchen. The overall structure and exterior are in great shape, said Mitchell. The landscaping is in good shape but warrants some cleanup, he said.

The goal is to open in early November.

Although he hadn’t been actively looking for a second spot, Mitchell has a number of employees who have been with him for a decade or more and are ready to take on the additional challenge of running a second location, he said.

The Portland location has about 36 employees.

He anticipated 10 to 12 new hires. Many employees will work at both locations. Kitchen staff will be primarily located in South Portland. 

windows and hall with view of water
Courtesy / Bayside Bowl
Work is underway on the second location’s interior, which includes a wraparound patio on the Greenbelt Walkway with views of the harbor.

Mitchell said investment in the So-Po location’s fit-up likely won't be more than $200,000.

“The bowling lanes are in tremendous shape,” he said. “We have to buy new bowling pins, new furniture and paint. It’s a very affordable fit-up for us, which is another reason for us to take on the project.”

The purchase was financed through a private partnership with a business associate. Fit-up is being financed with cash.

The business has a busy schedule that includes bowling leagues, Professional Bowlers Association tournaments, corporate events and wedding parties.

The business started out busy from the get-go, with long waiting lists when it had 12 lanes.

“Then we got to 20 lanes and we were still full,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell said he had no doubt that the second location will also attract a steady following. It will also provide space for more league teams and the numerous event requests that the business receives.

“We have a bunch of leagues ready to go in South Portland,” he said. “And we’ll probably do more family events in South Portland.”

He added, “Our bigger concern is making sure we can hit the ground running, because people have expectations of Bayside Bowl.”

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