At one time, Rochester had more bowling lanes per capita than any city in the country. Bowling is still big here and, after the pandemic shutdown, New York bowling alleys were allowed to reopen Monday.

When you run a business, five months can seem like an eternity.

"It’s been real quiet around here," said John Martorella, whose family has run Domm’s Bowling Center in Rochester for a half-century. "We’ve just been worrying like crazy, because we didn't know when we're gonna be able to open up."

Like all New York bowling centers, Domm’s has been dark since March, when the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of a majority of the state’s economy. Bowling was deemed non-essential. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that bowling alleys could reopen Monday.

"It’s scary knowing that you don't have any money coming in and you have bills to pay," said Martorella.

Business losses during the shutdown were compounded by another loss. John’s father, Joseph Martorella, who bought the center in 1971, died in April.

"Opening up now, it's a little emotional for our entire family," he said.

The lights at many Rochester-area bowling centers are back on again. Once doors opened at noon Monday, Lisa Dwyer and son Cooper were the first ones back at Domm’s.

"Yup, one of his favorite things to do," said Dwyer. "Get out and bowl."

An outing a long time in the making as some bowling alley owners wondered if this day would ever come. Five months is a long time for any business to be closed, but for the bowling industry it's been even tougher. People who come back to the lanes will notice some big changes, which must be followed to keep lanes open.

Designed to stop the spread of COVID-19, the entire center is marked off for social distancing. Only every other lane is in use, everything is sanitized regularly and everyone has to wear a mask.

"You hate to be a stickler towards them, get on them and say hey you gotta wear your mask," said Martorella. "But we want everybody safe, and we're going to do whatever it takes to keep us open."

It’s a new day for bowling, one with new rules and new economic realities.  

Martorella is optimistic.

"We’re hoping for a little leeway from the customers, and we just hope everybody understands that this is new to us," he said. "It’s new to every bowling center in the city, and we're going to try to improve day after day."