FOR DECADES, Tullahoma Lanes has been a place where families gather, leagues compete, and friendships form over strikes, spares, and the occasional gutter ball. Folks of all ages and backgrounds can come and enjoy a friendly game of bowling while supporting a beloved local establishment. For many residents, Tullahoma Lanes is a Tullahoma institution.
A LOVE OF THE LANES
Running a local business takes real dedication, and Tullahoma Bowling Lanes thrives through steady teamwork.
Owner Eric Eakin has worked in family entertainment since 1994, and the lanes have shaped his life for nearly 30 years. He joined in 2002 as a program coordinator, left briefly to help open another facility, and ultimately returned to the place that felt like home.
“I was gone for about a year,” he recalled. “But they still wanted another manager down here, so I came back with an understanding that we’d have an eventual opportunity to purchase. So, we waited things out, and it became available for us to purchase in early 2020. We took the opportunity and purchased it.”
On Jan. 31, 2020, Eric and his wife, Melody, officially became the owners of Tullahoma Lanes.
After years in the industry, he felt it was time to take ownership of something he believed in, in a town he now called home.
“You get to know people and the community,” said Eric. “You get to be part of the fabric of the community. In a larger town, you’re just another business. But in a smaller town like Tullahoma, you know you’re a real part of the community.
THE SHUTDOWN NO ONE SAW COMING
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the country hard in 2020, just months after Eric and his family took over the business.
“Right when we signed on the dotted line, we had plans to paint the walls, put in new carpet, upgrade some of the bowling equipment, maybe change some of the game room out — just give it an entire facelift inside and out,” Eric said. “We had some money set aside for that. Then COVID happened. We shut down 45 days in. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we’d have to shut down because of something like that. And then, the realization hit that we really needed to do this because it was the responsible thing to do. We knew that if God brought us here, God would carry us through it.”
A TOWN THAT SHOWS UP
Eric and his family credit the people of Tullahoma for helping them weather the storm. He explained that leagues that bowl each year at the lanes had to cut their season short.
“When each league decided to distribute their prize money, many teams voted to donate theirs back to us,” he added. It was enough to pay employees for another month, about half their usual wages. It also allowed the Eakins to make small improvements to the facility during the downtime.
That generosity, Eric said, is what makes Tullahoma special.
“This is a great community, and they came out and supported and continue to do so. Even during COVID, it was great.”
A SPORT FOR EVERYONE
Today, Tullahoma Lanes is thriving. Eric takes pride in offering a sport that welcomes everyone — young children, older adults, beginners, and seasoned bowlers alike.
“It’s a sport that all ages can partake in,” he said. “You see, people start when they’re young, and they grow up in it. I never really picked up a bowling ball until I was 18, and then I was hooked.”
The facility now offers far more than bowling. The arcade is packed with a variety of fun games, with plans for more. The grill is known for its fresh, hand‑patted hamburgers, which Eric boasts are “one of the best in town.” And the in‑house pro shop, run by a local expert, provides custom‑fitted balls, shoes, and gear for anyone ready to take their game seriously. The business also hosts numerous celebrations, including birthdays, league competitions, business events, and more.
His wife, Melody, who joined him in the business after years in a doctor’s office, loves the atmosphere just as much.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s great to watch families come in and have a good time. Everybody can bowl — from small children to senior adults. It’s very close‑knit. The leagues support each other, and it’s great to see.”
GIVING BACK, YEAR AFTER YEAR
The Eakins don’t just receive support, they give it back.
They participate in the Kids Bowl Free program, offering children 15 and younger two free games every day from mid‑May to Labor Day. It keeps the lanes busy and introduces new families to the sport. And when it comes to advertising dollars, Eric knows exactly where he wants them to go.
“We try to put a billboard or a banner in every school gym or ball field that we can,” he said. “Any team that’s looking for a sponsor — that’s where we put our advertising dollars. It’s a win‑win. We just like giving back everything we can to the community. It’s been very good to us.” GN
