Kuna family celebrates 40 years at Raymond’s Bowl & Entertainment Center in Johnsburg

JOHNSBURG – Steve Kuna was
9 years old when his father, Ray Kuna, first took over what decades later would be known as a multigenerational, family-owned bowling alley in Johnsburg.

Steve Kuna occasionally worked to stock candy machines and pick up trash in the parking lot until he graduated high school and started working full time at his father’s business.

More than 40 years have passed since Raymond’s Bowl & Entertainment Center opened its doors, but Steve Kuna and his family still can be found working behind the counter and around the bowling alley to bring residents classic, quality entertainment.

“It’s fantastic,” Steve Kuna said of his family celebrating 40 years of business. “When we had our anniversary [in July], a lot of people from over the years stopped in. Their kids, their grandkids. We’re seeing third generations of families that are bowling here.”

For Ray Kuna’s family, the legacy now is in the fourth generation, with his 12-year-old great-grandson helping out at the bowling alley.

Ray Kuna said he imagined the business would be a family matter in 1977 once he bought the bowling alley’s original building, an old structure the Kunas spent nearly three decades revitalizing.

“All I can really remember about the early years was a lot of hard work,” Ray Kuna said.

When maintaining the building became too much, the Kunas moved the business to its current location at 3960 N. Johnsburg Road about a decade ago. The new bowling alley features 24 lanes – doubling its original count – and modernized its facilities.

Steve and his brother, Joe, now handle a majority of the management, while Ray works from the office and mingles with the customers.

“My favorite part of the bowling business is communicating with the customers,” Ray Kuna said. “I enjoy especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, when we have all the seniors come in there and reminisce about the old days. That’s why I enjoy going in there.”

Aside from bowling, Raymond’s is known for its bar and entertainment that Ray Kuna said draws in a regular crowd of familiar faces – people he has known for 50 years.

The business also offers “Wildside Bowling,” an eight-lane experience with living room-style seating, projection video screens, music and a cosmic light show. Bowling leagues also are available for both adults and kids.

“Johnsburg is a great little town with a lot of great people, and that makes it special,” Steve Kuna said. “A lot of great people have come through the doors over the years that we’ve gotten to know.”

At 82, Ray Kuna said he is crossing off the last items on his bucket list – he went skydiving for his 80th birthday – and can only hope that one of his greatest achievements stays in the family after he is gone.

“We’ve built a legacy up in the bowling industry,” Ray Kuna said. “I’m hopeful that our grandchild and great-grandchildren continue the business.”