In an era of increasing change and rising property values, where local institutions are often replaced by chain stores, Dudek Bowling stands as a rare and resilient piece of Rhode Island history — nearly 90 years strong and still thriving.

Tucked along the eastern edge of Warren, R.I., the duckpin bowling alley has been part of the community since the late 1930s, when it first opened with just eight lanes. A decade later, at the height of its popularity, ten more lanes were added — expanding to the 18-lane center that locals know today.

For owner Scott Mansi, the business isn’t just a livelihood — it’s a lifelong connection. His father, Frank, began working there for his uncle decades ago, planting the roots of what would become a multi-generational family operation. Though the exact origins of the alley remain somewhat of a mystery, its staying power is anything but.

What is clear is how Dudek Bowling has managed to survive while so many other duckpin alleys across the region have disappeared. And according to Mansi, the reason might surprise people.

“Bowling has never really gone bad,” he explained. “The businesses that went out weren’t because of lack of business — it was property value. Somebody wanted the land.”

That reality has reshaped much of Rhode Island’s small business landscape. But at Dudek, the focus has remained steady: community, affordability, and adaptation.

Mansi, now 68, has spent decades modernizing the alley while preserving its character. Gone are the days of handwritten score sheets — replaced by automatic scoring systems. Wooden lanes have shifted to durable synthetic ones. New carpets, projection screens for sports, and ongoing upgrades keep the space fresh without losing its nostalgic charm.

“You have to modernize with the times,” he said. “Even if it’s just something small every year, you keep it going.”

Before taking over the business, Mansi wasn’t just behind the scenes. He was one of the state’s top duckpin bowlers, once averaging in the high 140s, an impressive feat in the sport.

Business is booming

Today, Mansi’s role is less about competition and more about stewardship. His son is now involved in the business, representing the next chapter of a legacy nearly a century in the making.

And business, by all accounts, is booming.

“This past year was one of my better years ever,” Mansi said. “Even after COVID, people want to get out. They want to be together.”

That sense of connection is what keeps people coming back — sometimes for a lifetime, and sometimes from miles away.

Dorothy “Dotty” Greenwood is one of those lifelong bowlers. She has been part of a Dudek league since retiring in 2005, but her connection to the lanes dates back to her childhood in the 1950s, when she first came through the doors.

Today, she’s still rolling.

What she loves most about duckpin bowling, she says, is that it allows her to remain competitive — a spirit that has stayed with her through the decades.

A boat ride for bowling

Others go even further to keep the tradition alive. Every Thursday, a group of nine men makes the trip from Prudence Island, taking the ferry to the mainland just to bowl together.

For them, Mansi said, it’s about more than the game.

“It gave them a reason to get off the island,” he said.

That same energy can be seen throughout the alley. From senior leagues that run daily, to birthday parties, youth programs, and families spanning three generations, the lanes are rarely quiet.

“There was a lady bowling with a cane,” Mansi recalled. “She comes every week. People in their seventies, eighties, nineties, they just bowl. It’s wonderful.”

The appeal lies in its simplicity — and its accessibility.

“It’s family-oriented, and it’s affordable,” he said. “People can come here multiple times. Other entertainment places, you’re spending $100. Here, it’s a fraction of that.”

A unique game

Duckpin bowling itself remains a uniquely regional tradition, played in only a handful of states, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Unlike ten-pin bowling, it uses smaller balls and shorter pins, making it both more challenging and, for many, more fun.

Historically, alleys like Dudek were tied to the rhythm of mill towns, offering recreation for factory workers after long shifts. While those industries have largely disappeared, Dudek Bowling has evolved with the times, welcoming everyone from daycare groups to longtime league regulars.

“We’re full every night,” Mansi said. “After six o’clock, you can’t get a lane.”

In a town like Warren, that kind of consistency matters. Dudek Bowling isn’t just a place to play — it’s a place to gather, to celebrate, and to stay connected.

And as long as there are people willing to cross the bay, return week after week, or step up to the lane decades after their first game, the sound of pins crashing at Dudek Bowling will continue to echo for years to come.