Twin City Family Fun Center

Vermont Small Business Loan Program

Since 1962, Twin City Family Fun Center has been a fixture in the Barre community. As with many family businesses, aging out came before a succession plan, meaning the lanes were due to close.  

Current owner Michael Drake, who said the business is as much a community center as it is a bowling alley, event venue and pizza restaurant, saw an opportunity to continue the legacy.  

“There are many types of groups that pass through, more than you would think,” Drake said. “We have a lot of clubs come out for their fundraisers and raffles, a lot of community mental health groups that go to the bowling center — it could have been a carwash had we not bought it.”  

Drake’s ownership began in April. Before then, he had not worked with VEDA. The connection came through another financial institution — VEDA often partners with them, making financing a holistic opportunity for business owners — and the fit made sense. 

“This is what VEDA does,” Drake said. “They look for local businesses where they can see job growth and continuance of community — so it was just a good fit, principles, background, long-term vision. VEDA wasn’t expecting something in two months; they want something to give back to the community over the course of 20 years.”  

Drake said everyone at VEDA he interacted with was genuinely interested in the business, the people and the impact on the community.  

Whereas another buyer might have offered cash on the spot, Drake had a desire, and need, to work with resources to plan and execute a transition, maintaining the spirit of the business, honoring its past and working towards its future.  

“VEDA was definitely the enabling partner for us to go forward with the bowling center,” he said. “I tremendously support groups like VEDA and the role they play in the community. If we believe that local businesses drive so much of the local economy and flavor of that economy, it follows that local community investment — that knows and understands those opportunities — is the way to go."