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November 8, 1999
Albrecht spares time for retirement from bowling businessBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- You may see him walking about all dressed up with his trademark bowler hat on and a colorful carnation in his coat. He wears a smile on his face and always has something interesting to say. He has been one of the people in New Ulm who kept the sport of bowling alive and going strong. On Sunday afternoon, Joel Albrecht celebrated his retirement as owner of Concordia Lanes and from 41 years in the bowling business. Concordia Lanes, located at 416 19th North, has been managed for the last year and a half by Albrecht's son-in-law, Dean Torvick. The business is incorporated for the past four years, and the stocks are owned by numerous people. Prior to its incorporation, it was owned by partners Albrecht and Jim Witt. "It's been an honor for me to be in New Ulm and to have done something I've enjoyed for all of these years," said Albrecht, who also serves on the city council. "We've had the nicest people in the world as bowlers in New Ulm, and I've traveled extensively in the state of Minnesota and I don't know a finer community anyplace." One of the best things about owning this business was the chance Albrecht had to improve the physical as well as the scoring conditions of bowling. "With ownership, you are a caretaker," said Albrecht, "The game of bowling was here before I was, and it will be here long after I'm gone. I'm just happy I was able to contribute a bit to the game. The sport belongs to everyone." Albrecht started out in the bowling business as a co-owner of the Concordia Club on State Street in 1958, with Jim Witt. It was owned by stockholders of the Concordia Club, who were members of the St. Paul's Lutheran Men's Club. Because St. Paul's eventually needed more space for its school system, the board of directors of the Concordia Club decided to close the business and sell the equipment. Albrecht and Witt moved the business to the 220 N. Broadway location and changed the name to Concordia Lanes. "The building really wasn't ready, but we could move in," said Albrecht, "The amenities included a card table for the cash register and a beer cooler." Eventually the building got a new ceiling, new walls and floors, and the bathrooms were relocated. Concordia Lanes operated for two and a half seasons with "pin boys," and in the 1961-62 season, six Brunswick pin setters were purchased. In 1967, Concordia Lanes added two more lanes because George's Ballroom was closing its bowling operation. In 1980, Witt and Albrecht purchased the Bowlomat from Henry Nicklasson, and they changed the name to Kegel Lanes and completely remodeled that facility. The pair operated Kegel Lanes and the Concordia Lanes for an additional 10 years. In 1989 the co-owners bought the current facility from the F&M State Bank after several failures, and they operated the facility for one year, according to Albrecht. That same year they closed the Broadway facility. In 1989-1990 they remodeled the facility, which had been previously called the CloverLeaf Bowling Center. In 1991, they closed the Kegel Lanes (bowling) and moved everything out to the present location of the Concordia Lanes. This same year, Albrecht bought the other half of the business from Witt. Remodeling work included all of the walls being torn out, adding walls, complete reconstruction of the concourse on the bowling side of the building, relocating the toilet facilities and bar. New Brunswick equipment was installed. In 1993-1994, automatic scoring was added to Concordia Lanes. In the spring of 1991, volleyball was added to the activities. Albrecht has been a lifetime member of the American Bowling Congress, state president of the Minnesota State Bowling Association, 1987 New Ulm Bowling Hall of Fame inductee, certified bowling instructor (1960) and winner of the Stan Manderfeld enthusiasm award. He has also received training certification in the American Bowling Congress. Albrecht has also received numerous awards and has been recognized locally for his contributions to the community. In 1991, Albrecht served as president on an exploratory committee to help organize a Minnesota State Bowling Hall of Fame. Albrecht and his wife Rita and have two daughters, Vickie and Mona. "He's a good guy," said Florie Dittrich, "He's a guy you want to run into because he always has something interesting to say. He's full of energy. If we have as much energy as him when we retire, we'll run for president. He's promoted kids for years and he's involved in the city, big time. He's a good ambassador for the city. He won't 'retire.'"
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