Man restoring Cicero bowling alley with help from social media: ‘turn it into a time capsule’

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) — One man is restoring a rundown bowling alley in Cicero. He’s on a mission to keep its legendary history alive, and he’s using social media for help.

In just 44 days, with the input of over 1 million social media followers, Yianni Mavrakis not only saved the Town Hall bowling alley, but made it come alive, bringing back the nostalgia so many in Cicero have missed.

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“The goal was to kind of turn it into a time capsule,” Town Hall owner Mavrakis said.

He honored its history with a ceiling covered in old Life magazines and arcade machines with 90s candies.

Mavrakis, 25, took over Town Hall Bowl last year.

“A lot of these center neighborhood alleys are dropping like flies,” Mavrakis said. “I think it’s about 144 close a year.”

That’s why, in the last two months, he’s been on a mission day after day to turn back time with the help of millions of people online.

“I wanted to paint that wall over there red, and I wanted to paint the gutters blue. And my viewers told me the opposite,” Mavrakis said.

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If the walls could talk, they’d tell the stories of the 60-year history of the alley. It’s a much-needed moment of nostalgia for Dan Rodriquez, a local bowler who bowled at Town Hall in the 70s.

“It makes you feel young,” Rodriquez said. “Somebody else would just buy, try to make money like previous owners. These guys care.”

But it’s been a journey to get to this point. Mavrakis says previous owners left the alley abused.

“They were allowing people to smoke like coal-burning hookah,” Mavrakis said.

Now, it features a new kitchen, restored bar, painted alleys, more arcade games and a new pro shop.

He’s creating a new legacy by reviving the alley and the community.

“I want the town of Cicero, I want them to feel proud that this bowling alley is in their town,” Mavrakis said.

Mavrakis said he is not asking for any funds from his social media followers.