Entertainment

Actions

Milwaukee's Holler House offers more than just bowling

Meet the 91-year-old behind the business
Posted

Milwaukee's Holler House is home to the nation’s oldest sanctioned bowling alley, but it’s much more than just lanes and pins to 91-year-old Marcy Skowronski.

She’s owned the place since 1954, but her parents-in-law originally built it back in 1908. Regulars brag about knowing Marcy, and her personality makes anyone feel welcome. 

“You know people can walk in here, and you’re welcome all the time. The thing is, nobody gives a hoopin' holler, if you’re poor or rich or what. They just love to come in here, because the people are so nice,” Skowronski said.

She hopes to keep the business in the family as long as possible. 

Skowronski's grandson, Michael Stuckert, has been bartending here for close to 15 years.

“You get out of towners who come in, you know, just to see the bowling alley, but then the regulars just come in to hang out and talk,” Stuckert said.

“It’s not like other places where you see people on their phones the whole time, people actually have conversations in here.”

One thing that particularly makes Holler House old school is an actual person behind the pins who resets them and sends the ball back. No machines needed!