The owners of The Loft hope the antique tin ceiling tiles, reclaimed wood and exposed brick at their new downtown Frankfort business evoke a vintage touch with a modern flair. Owners Joe Napoli and Mike Shideler have been renovating a historic second floor bowling alley to create a new experience for customers. It features a six-lane bowling alley with original machinery, pool table and shuffleboard table along with a dining room serving upscale bar food and a bar offering specialty cocktails and beer from local breweries.
The Loft, 15 Ash St., is expected to open Dec. 6 in Frankfort’s historic downtown.
Its concept fits in with the area, its leadership team said. “This downtown is just a destination for people in the Chicagoland area because of its vintage charm, so we expect to draw people from all over,” said Jared Bell, the new general manager. The Balchowsky building, built in 1877 at the corner of Ash and Kansas Streets in downtown Frankfort, was once a retail hub for Will County, selling everything from food to furniture.
The building was added onto over the years, and in 1949 six bowling lanes were installed. (Frankfort Area Historical Society) “People love nostalgia,” Bell said. “Everyone remembers going bowling when they are 12 years old and having good memories of that.
To be able to come to a place as an adult and have entertainment that is both tailored towards you and tailored towards your children is an attractive entertainment experience.” Bell s.
