Smitty’s Cinema, adjacent to Ocean State Job Lot in Sanford, plans to open an entertainment center this fall, that will include an arcade, air hockey, 10-pin bowling, and a 100-seat bar/lounge with an array of televisions. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
SANFORD — A new spot where people can gather to play arcade games or air hockey, or a string or two of 10-pin bowling, is scheduled to open in Sanford this fall.
Smitty’s Cinema, the movie house where you can get a meal or a drink and watch the latest movies at the same time, will open a family entertainment center next to the cinema, located in the Ocean State Job Lot building on Main Street in south Sanford.
“Here at Smitty’s, the goal has always been to deliver a fun, unique, and high-quality experience to our guests,” said owner Milton Smith. “We are part of such an amazing community, and we are excited to bring a new experience to the people in the Sanford area.”
The center will feature 10 lanes of 10-pin bowling, more than 50 arcade games, air hockey, and a 100-seat bar and lounge area with an array of high definition televisions, said Courtney Taylor, Smitty’s Cinema director of marketing.
Taylor said the new entertainment venue will be a first for the company.
As well as Sanford, Smitty’s Cinema has locations in Biddeford, Windham, Topsham and in Tilton, New Hampshire.
“Sanford is our most successful theater,” said Taylor. She said with that popularity in mind, Sanford seemed like a good spot to open a new entertainment venue.
Entertainment center General Manager Ernie Graffam said the venue will offer a full bar including an array of draft beer, and a small “comfort food” menu. Food and beverage service will be available at the bowling lanes along with the bar and lounge area, he said.
Taylor estimated in all, the entertainment center will be looking to hire about 20 people.
“This is providing another option of entertainment that could convincingly draw more people into Sanford to experience the diversity of recreational opportunities we offer,” said Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce President Richard Stanley. “I think it will compliment the offerings we have in Sanford.”
There are a handful of bowling venues in York County — including Bowl-a-Rama in Sanford and Strike and Spare in the Kezar Falls village area of Parsonsfield, both offering candlepin bowling; Garden Street Bowl in Kennebunk, which offers 10-pin, and others like Jimmy the Greek’s restaurant in Old Orchard Beach, which also has bowling lanes.
The new entertainment center is scheduled to open this fall.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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