Elk Grove Bowl owner likes Elk Grove's (college) bowl sponsorship

Though it won't be called the "Elk Grove Bowl," Elk Grove Village's $300,000 sponsorship of the Dec. 21 college football Bahamas Bowl has the endorsement of one noted local business owner.

Debbie Handler, the third generation owner of the iconic Elk Grove Bowl bowling alley, is happy for any extra publicity the village's bowl game sponsorship could bring her business. But she thinks it'll especially help the village's efforts to attract businesses to town.

"It puts us on the map," said Handler, who has been involved in the local Chamber of Commerce. "I don't think a lot of people realize how big our industrial park is. I think it brings a lot of notice. We're so close to the airport. It's very logical for a lot of businesses to relocate."

The village is using its business marketing tag line, Makers Wanted, in the bowl game title.

Handler remembers after her father and grandfather started the bowling alley in 1963, there were enough bowlers to populate two evening bowling leagues with local factory workers.

While the mom-and-pop business still has its loyal league bowlers, today it's host to corporate parties and networking events. The bowling alley has also made $1 million in upgrades in the last three years, including new lanes, ball returns, touch-screen computers and a new roof.