Effort On To Save Struggling Plum Bowling Alley

PLUM, PA — The coronavirus outbreak has caused business to plummet at Nesbi'st Lanes on Leechburg Road, a staple in the community since 1947. With the bowling alley's future potentially in jeopardy, an effort has been launched to provide owner Rich Nesbit with badly needed money to get through the pandemic.

Bowler Dave Poremba of Verona, who has known Nesbit for more than three decades, has established a GoFundMe page to benefit the bowling alley.

Because of the outbreak, "the lanes are down over 350 bowlers per week. Leagues keep cancelling," Poremba stated on the page. "Rich has already borrowed well over $200,00o to stay afloat. Between now and September, he stands to lose another $100,000 or more."

Poremba noted that if the lanes are losing 350 bowlers a week, even at $10 per bowler, Nesbit is losing $3,500 a week or more than $14,000 a month.

"I know that Rich is the kind of guy that's not looking for a handout," Poremba stated. "But it would be a tragic loss to the Plum community, and surrounding communities, if this bowling alley would end up closing due to COVID-19."

The GoFundMe page goal is to raise $100,000 in donations for Nesbit. The effort has drawn support from Plum residents such as James Christman, who noted that three generations of his family have bowled there.

'Bowling is a family thing and we are part of the Nesbit's family," he stated in a Facebook post. "Rich has been there for us and for many people in the community more times that I can count. He and Nesbit's are a blessing for Plum and the surrounding area.

"Don't let this wonderful place go away. Don't let this wonderful man down."

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