Bowling alley, arcade coming to old Hastings location

After being empty for nearly two years, the former Hastings building in the Glenn-Dean Shopping Center will soon turn into a family entertainment center.

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The new business, Good Times Entertainment, will open as early as April, said owner Scott Good.

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Good Times will have 16 bowling lanes, an arcade, escape rooms and a full-service kitchen and bar.

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Good has been in the bowling industry for more than 30 years. Although he previously managed a bowling pro shop for 26 years and bowling centers for the last six years, Good said this is the first time he has done something like this.

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“It was just too good of an opportunity to turn down, especially in that location,” Good said.

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The new business will utilize the entire 28,000-square-foot space and will have something for everyone, Good said, from bowling and escape rooms to an arcade and spaces for birthday parties and private events to be held. The restaurant menu will include burgers, pizza, wings and fries, among other quick meals. 

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Executive Director of Development Services Megan McGowen said the city is glad to see life come back to the old Hastings building, especially in a form that helps fulfill entertainment demands for children and adults, alike.

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"We're glad to see the Hastings space occupied," she said. "It's a big building, and the whole thing will be utilized. There's plenty of room in the marketplace for two bowling alleys, and the proximity to downtown and campus is good."

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Construction has already started inside the building. Good said he is looking at the first or middle part of April to open the business.

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Although he lives in Smiths Station, Good comes to Auburn often, he said. He has one son who graduated from Auburn University and another who currently attends school there.

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“I’ve been a fan of Auburn for many years, and I’ve been a lifetime bowler,” Good said.

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This was an article I wrote for The Auburn Villager. It got 584 shares on Facebook (as of 3/5/2018), which is much more than any of their other recent articles have gotten.