Man restoring Town Hall Bowl in Cicero with help from social media: 'turn it into a time capsule'
Share this @internewscast.com

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) — A man is in the process of revamping a neglected bowling alley in Cicero. His goal is to preserve its storied past, and he is seeking assistance through social media.

Within a mere 44 days, Yianni Mavrakis, with contributions from over a million social media users, not only rescued the Town Hall bowling alley but also revitalized it, re-igniting the nostalgic charm that many in Cicero have longed for.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“The goal was to kind of turn it into a time capsule,” Town Hall owner Mavrakis said.

He honored its history with a ceiling covered in old Life magazines and arcade machines with 90s candies.

Mavrakis, 25, took over Town Hall Bowl last year.

“A lot of these center neighborhood alleys are dropping like flies,” Mavrakis said. “I think it’s about 144 close a year.”

That’s why, in the last two months, he’s been on a mission day after day to turn back time with the help of millions of people online.

“I wanted to paint that wall over there red, and I wanted to paint the gutters blue. And my viewers told me the opposite,” Mavrakis said.

If the alley walls could speak, they would share tales from its 60-year legacy. This brings a much-needed nostalgic moment for Dan Rodriquez, a local who bowled there in the 70s.

“It makes you feel young,” Rodriquez said. “Somebody else would just buy, try to make money like previous owners. These guys care.”

But it’s been a journey to get to this point. Mavrakis says previous owners left the alley abused.

“They were allowing people to smoke like coal-burning hookah,” Mavrakis said.

Now, it features a new kitchen, restored bar, painted alleys, more arcade games and a new pro shop.

He’s creating a new legacy by reviving the alley and the community.

“I want the town of Cicero, I want them to feel proud that this bowling alley is in their town,” Mavrakis said.

Mavrakis said he is not asking for any funds from his social media followers.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Pam Bondi Moves to Dismiss Proud Boys’ J6 Lawsuit

Stunning Shift: Trump’s Former Attorney General Supports Merrick Garland in Biden’s Legal Actions Against Proud Boys

Pam Bondi’s betrayal comes one week after Merrick Garland’s key witness in…
Robot rabbits the latest tool in Florida battle to control invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades

Robotic Rabbits: Florida’s Newest Strategy to Combat Invasive Burmese Pythons in the Everglades

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — In an innovative initiative, South Florida…
Photo of Katyna Baia on a beach at sunset.

We were wrongfully imprisoned for drug smuggling after airport staff linked us to cocaine bags – CCTV footage cleared our names

CHECKING in their bags before heading off on a trip of a…

Ukrainian Soldier Miraculously Survives Throat Slashing by Russian Captors, Crawls for 5 Days to Escape and Aims to Rejoin Battle

A Ukrainian soldier, who suffered a brutal ordeal of having his throat…
Flowers left at a roadside crime scene.

Police Unsure of Migrant Suspect’s Origin in Teen Stabbing Case, Sparking Outrage, as Weapon is Discovered

DUTCH police still haven’t figured out the nationality of the migrant accused…
Andrea Bocelli and Pharrell Williams will direct a historic Vatican City concert, with performances by Jelly Roll, Karol G, more

Andrea Bocelli and Pharrell Williams to Lead Historic Concert in Vatican City Featuring Jelly Roll, Karol G, and Others

Jelly Roll, John Legend, Karol G, Teddy Swims and more are set…
Screenshot of a person speaking.

“Tragic Incident in Minneapolis: Robin Westman Displays Weapons in Disturbing Video Before Fatal Shooting of Two Children”

SICK footage has surfaced of shooter Robin Westman giggling hours before killing…
Danya Bell charged in connection with Kenwood, Chicago shooting that killed child in 4400-block of South Greenwood Avenue: police

Danya Bell Accused in Kenwood, Chicago Shooting That Claimed Child’s Life on South Greenwood Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — A woman is facing charges after a 5-year-old boy…
Man arrested after allegedly killing stepfather, wounding mother in Jasper shooting

Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Stepfather and Injuring Mother in Jasper Shooting

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Authorities in Jasper arrested a man on murder…
Reform UK proposes deporting 600,000 asylum seekers in sweeping new immigration crackdown

Reform UK Suggests Deporting 600,000 Asylum Seekers in Major Immigration Policy Shift

Reform UK said it’s prepared to deport 600,000 asylum seekers from Britain…
Louisiana urges Supreme Court to bar use of race in redistricting, in attack on Voting Rights Act

Louisiana Appeals to Supreme Court to Prohibit Consideration of Race in Redistricting, Challenging the Voting Rights Act

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Wednesday, Louisiana decided to cease defending a political…
Study shows impact of school connectedness on bullied teens

Research Reveals Effects of School Connectedness on Bullying Victims Among Teens

CHICAGO (WLS) — A recent study from Northwestern University indicates that teenagers…