Longtime bowler becomes alley's new owner

PRINCETON — A man who considered a bowling alley his second home growing up in Princeton is the new owner of Pin Splitters Lanes.

"I have been bowling here since I was 5," said J.T. Dant, who bought the business and has done extensive remodeling to the former Crown Lanes. "So I have been bowling here for 21 years."

When Dant heard the 12-lane bowling alley was up for sale in 2015, he wanted to ensure it remained a bowling alley, so he purchased it from Jim Basile, former owner.

His dad, Terry Dant, who ran the Harley-Davidson shop in Princeton for 30 years, helped his son get a loan to buy the bowling alley.

Since he took over ownership on Sept. 30, 2015, J.T. Dant has had extensive work done on the bowling alley and changed its name to Pin Splitter Lanes.

"I had a mechanic come here and put in new belts, bearings and bushings for the lanes," he said. "I put in a brand new parking lot. I enclosed the bar from the bowling alley and had a new floor installed. We repainted the whole interior. We finally got the new signs a few months ago."

Dant's bowling history consists of being a three-time men's Masters champion, top qualifier in the tournament every time he entered it over the years, and being a coach of junior bowling from when he was 14 to 18 years old.

"The bowling family has been a big help, once I took over ownership," he added. "Many people have volunteered their time to renovate the alley, especially when it was closed for three months earlier this year from June through August for remodeling."

Pin Splitter Lanes hosts at least one league every day of the week and two on Saturdays and Sundays. All of them have grown in the number of bowlers participating in them.

The open bowling on weekends has also been popular since Dant took over ownership of the alley. He also renovated a former storage area into a banquet room that can host birthday parties, Christmas parties, etc.

Pin Splitter Lanes is open from noon until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 2 a.m. on weekends.

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