Coffaro’s Pizza will host a grand opening celebration this weekend, after the business’ recent move to Slippery Rock Lanes at 216 Grove City Road, next to Straub Distributor.
Owner Rob Coffaro, a 1997 graduate of Slippery Rock University, officially reopened the pizza shop at its new location last Thursday, and plans to have the bowling lanes ready for the community within the next few weeks.
“We’re waiting for the computer equipment to be replaced,” Coffaro said. “The pizza shop is up and running and we’re offering a carry-out special of a large 1-topping pizza for $6.99 this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “
Slippery Rock Lanes had been closed for over two years before Coffaro, who had the pizza shop on Main Street for over 14 years, took over the business.
“The main reason for the move was for the location,” Coffaro said. “It makes it more convenient for people than on Main Street. I also always had fun bowling when I was a kid and I wanted to bring that sort of atmosphere back into the town. It was the right situation at the right time.”
Students, such as Heather Rabold, a 20-year-old secondary English education major and Spanish minor, are also excited about the transition and reopening of the bowling alley, in hopes that it will give the community a place to relax on the weekends.
“There’s not much to do at Slippery Rock besides go out to eat,” Rabold said. “So I think this will be a good place for students to hang out and go on dates.”
Dave Wolfe, a 20-year-old sport management major with a communication minor, believes that the Coffaro’s business move can only have a positive influence on the community.
“I’ve seen that Coffaro’s is the number one pizza delivery shop in Slippery Rock, so if they add the bowling aspect with it, I think it will have a lot of success,” Wolfe said.
The bowling alley has 12 lanes, which includes lights and music for cosmic bowling, something Coffaro plans on utilizing once the computer systems are replaced.
“We plan on having late-night bowling and DJ’s on the weekends,” Coffaro said. “Students can also expect specials throughout the week. I plan on doing a “student night” and probably a buy one get one free game of bowling as well.”
Coffaro’s is looking into the idea of having alcohol in the bowling alley, which would be a “BYOB” type of atmosphere. The issue has not been settled at this time.
John Kovalik, a 20-year-old marketing major, feels that allowing alcohol in the bowling alley would be a big draw-in for older students at SRU.
“I think that Coffaro’s could become a popular hang-out spot for people if they eventually permit beer in the bowling alley.” Kovalik said.
Coffaro officially reopened the pizza shop Thursday, March 15, after about three and a half weeks worth of moving and remodeling. He hopes that his business move will attract not only students, but families as well to the renovated bowling alley.
“My plan is to give the community a place to bowl and have fun, without the long drive,” Coffaro said. “We have the same great food and service that we have always had, but I think it’s more convenient.”
Coffaro’s will be posting information, including the opening date of the bowling lanes, to their Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as their website, coffarospizza.com.
