As businesses scramble to attract customers during the holiday season in the face of  the country’s financial woes, Cedar Lanes in Weed is taking a lesson from one of the nation’s most successful. Scott LeTendre, the bowling alley’s general manager, says their expansion is part of what he calls the “Walmart Theory”: putting as many attractions as possible under one roof to bring in different customers.
LeTendre hopes that the new Weed Take-N-Bake Pizza will fill the town’s empty niche for those who want pizza without the pizza parlor prices. For those who want to eat their pie at the alley, they also have an oven on site.
Also new at Cedar Lanes is the Ten Pin Sportsbar, which features seven flat screen high definition televisions and the NFL Sunday Ticket package, allowing sports fans access to every single NFL game.
Sitting at the bar, you can look out windows watching over the bowling lanes,and order a meal from the new, expanded menu.
Children accompanied by an adult are allowed in the bar until 9 p.m. After that, it’s adults only, LeTendre said.
“We’re the only true sports bar in Siskiyou County,” LeTendre said, referring to the fact that Cedar Lanes has a liquor licence, allowing them to serve hard alcohol. “Now you can come in, watch the game, and relax with your favorite spirit. We’re also family oriented, so you can play pool, have a meal, and keep an eye on the kids all at the same time.”
Also featured at the bar is the popular Buzztime Trivia: an online game which is played not only within the bar, but nationally as well. It’s a fun alternative for those aren’t big sports fans, LeTendre said.
Because people may be sticking closer to home for leisure activities, especially when gas prices are higher, LeTendre anticipates the new Cedar Lanes to be a success. So far, he said, they haven’t seen any major decline in business since the dramatic drop in the economy – and he hopes things stay that way.
In the meantime, he’ll cross his fingers and hope that Walmart got it right. “The more things you can offer, the better,” he said. “When people come in and see what we’ve done to the place, I think they’ll be really impressed.”