When Autumn Mowery was 18, the candlepin bowling alley where she worked in Ellsworth, Maine, was scheduled to be bulldozed. She asked for three months to prove she could keep it open.
She took over the struggling alley in 2020 and kept showing up through repairs, a leaking roof, a burst pipe, and the difficult years of the pandemic. She now makes monthly payments toward buying the place with her business partner, Ryan Lounder.
The alley has become more than a place to bowl. Mowery opens it to people who need somewhere to talk, including domestic violence survivors who have used the space for therapy sessions. The business also hosts food drives and pancake breakfasts.
The little alley is still a work in progress, but its lights are on. By keeping a community gathering place alive, Mowery has made room for people to feel welcome, connected, and safe.
