Vans Pizza proposed at site of former Stow bowling alley

Four years after Sto-Kent Family Entertainment shut down, developers have submitted plans to turn the former bowling alley into a Vans Pizza, according to the application filed with the city of Stow’s Planning Commission.

The new venue would include a pizza restaurant and bar, an arcade, mini bowling lanes and private party rooms, as well as renovations to the outdoor mini-golf course and sand volleyball pit and expansion of the patio.

New lighting, landscaping and additional parking spaces would also be included in the new site plan, which was created and submitted by architect David Pelligra.

The property is currently owned by by Diamond Properties.

The site is located at 3870 Fishcreek Road in Stow.

The history of Sto-Kent Family Entertainment site

Sto-Kent Family Entertainment originally closed in September 2021, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason behind the closure.

The 21,000-square-foot property was built in 1959.

Diamond Properties purchased the former family entertainment center in August 2022 for $941,000, according to Summit County Fiscal Office records.

Previous plans for the site included completely renovating the property and operating it as a District Social concept, which included a large arcade, live music, bar, axe throwing and food trucks. Bowling was not included as part of this plan.

Who is Diamond Properties?

Diamond Properties operates over 16 million square feet of commercial and industrial properties in 13 states. The developer operates a number of hospitality businesses, including bowling and entertainment centers as well as RV parks.

Diamond Properties owns three Spins bowling alleys in the Northeast Ohio in Akron, Kent and Independence, according to the company’s website.