Written by Amanda Coers – Academy Lanes, Brownwood’s bowling alley, will now be known as Rex’s Texas Lanes. And the business is sporting a whole new look, courtesy of a television show.
Due to confidentiality agreements, details about the show, including the name of the show and the network producing it, are not to be released at this time. Talk began to buzz within the community as evidence of a major remodeling project became clear, most notably with a fresh new mural painted on the bowling alley’s outer wall.
Mural artist Calina Mishay paints the exterior of the bowling alley in Brownwood
Originally named Academy Lanes as a nod to Howard Payne University, the bowling alley received a new moniker: Rex’s Texas Lanes. Academy Lanes’ owner, Lee Baird said the new name will honor his father, Rex.
Lee Baird was contacted by the show’s producers months ago after his family began to consider selling the bowling alley. The premise of the new show, set to air later this year, is to remodel older businesses in a “Love It or List It” style, where business owners will decide if they want to keep the business or sell it to potential investors once the remodeling has taken place.
Rennovation started Tuesday, and finished up late Thursday evening with a grand unveiling party.
“It’s been an incredible experience, these are great people from all over the country,” said Baird as he stood just outside the bowling alley before the big reveal. “They have been working their you-know-whats off.”
Indeed the crew, many of whom had only a few hours of sleep during the frenzied 48-hour remodeling, had transformed the decades-old bowling alley with fresh paint and new furnishings.
The new look features retro style couches in the seating area, with rustic wood accents, and a punch of blue neon.
“It’s fantastic,” said Lee Baird after seeing the completed renovation. “They gave it a pop, with the lights, and I think the kids are going to love it.”
The grand unveiling included a party with free bowling sessions and ice cream floats, a new concession offering at the bowling alley. Invited community members were treated to a first look at the much-needed remodeling.
Rex’s Texas Lanes will now be serving custom ice cream floats from the new snack bar installment
“They did a great job, it’s a lot of fun, and hopefully it will bring even more visitors to the Brownwood area,” said Sunni Modawell, tourism director with the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce.
Unveiling party attendees enjoy the new seating area
“It looks really fun and engaging,” said Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford. “I love the seating areas, they’re very inviting. I think the float bar is a great addition, and I’m just really impressed the crew was able to get so much done in a short amount of time.”
