Campbellsport’s King Pin Lanes Turns 75 Years Old

King Pin Lanes has a long history of being a hub of activity in Campbellsport since 1949.
April 18, 1949: The King Pin was incorporated with $40,000 in capital stock due to a bowling surge in the area.
The original board of directors included Dr. William C. Phillip Hoffman; Sam Salaja, co-manager (William’s brother-in-law and Steve’s brother); Steve Salaja, co-manager (Sam’s brother); Dr. Joseph J. Adamkiewicz (William’s father-in-law); Dr. J. Greg Hoffman; George Salaja (father of Sam and Steve).
Dr. Leo Hoffman was an original investor in the bowling alley and served as the primary doctor in Campbellsport for over 40 years.

The bowling alley originally had manual pin setters with four pin setters working every night for seven days a week.
September 1950: The original kitchen was installed, but it was very small.
1953: Sam Salaja comes down and passes away from tuberculosis, leaving behind his wife, Jane, and five children.
July 7, 1954: Jane Salaja becomes President of King Pin Lanes.
April 20, 1955: King Pin Lanes installs automatic pin spotters at the bowling alley.
November 15, 1955: The King Pin goes up for sale for $150,000.
November 28, 1956: Jane Salaja marries Geno Scudella.
August 1, 1957: A game of bowling costs 40 cents.
August 9, 1957: The Salaja’s are bought out of their stock in the bowling alley.
September 30, 1957: Geno Scudella becomes manager of the bowling alley.
March 5, 1958: Matty Serwe was hired at the bowling alley.
December 3, 1958: Geno and Jane Scudella bought out Dr. William C. Hoffman.
March 2, 1960: The King Pin goes up for sale for $90,000.
April 1, 1966: Matty and Janet Serwe exercise the option to buy King Pin after renting the business since 1961.
1985: Rick and Cary bought the bowling alley from their parents (Matty and Janet Serwe).
1998: Cary helped to start the BCAW (Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin) High School Bowling Club (HSBC) in the state and has since served as HSBC tournament director, officer, coach, and mentor to youth bowlers.
“I love the sport of bowling and want to continue to strengthen the future of bowling,” said Cary Serwe. “We take care of our youth in the community.”
“Cary has been a dedicated leader in the sport of bowling for decades by serving on our Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin board of directors and received our Award of Excellence in 2023 for his outstanding dedication to center promotion, youth bowling, coaching and raising awareness of the sport,” said BCAW Executive Director Alyssa Klopatek. “Cary has not only impacted his local community with King Pin Lanes but he’s also been an advocate for the sport throughout Wisconsin and the nation.”
1999: Rick left the business, and Cary, with help of his wife, Lynn, and managers have been running the business for the past 25 years.
Their son, Brandon, currently serves as a part owner of the bowling alley with his parents.
2018: King Pin Lanes latest remodel project started and finished up in 2019 with 1,000 square feet added to the kitchen due to the need of the bowling alley selling more food to their loyal customers in the past few years.
King Pin Lanes works with various organizations in the community by supporting Campbellsport High School Booster Club, Campbelllsport Fire Department, Campbellsport Athletic Association, and Campbellsport Lions Club.
“We love Campbellsport, with being born and raised here,” said Cary. “My dad taught us to love the community as a family tradition and for our business to support the community.”
“King Pin has been an active member in all of the chamber events with helping stuff Easter bags to organizing drinks, and they always find time to help and participate in any way they can,” said Campbellsport Chamber of Commerce. “We wish King Pin owners Cary and Lynn Serwe a huge congratulations on their anniversary, and we are proud and honored to call them friends, neighbors and Chamber Members.”
“King Pin Lanes has always been a strong supporter of the Campbellsport Volunteer Fire Department with hosting bowling tournament fundraisers, assisting with our annual picnic, to making meals for our business meetings,” said Campbellsport Fire Chief Craig Olson. “Additionally, Cary Serwe is a member of the fire department. Cary has been an ambulance driver and has given back to the community since 2017.”
“From the entire membership, I would like to congratulate King Pin Lanes for their 75 years of business in the community and look forward to many more years,” said Olson.
“Our business has embedded ourselves into the people of Campbellsport,” said Cary. “The customers and residents of Campbellsport have paid it back many times over to our family business.”