Since before he could walk – much less hold a bowling ball – Jon Van Hees has been spending his spare time at the lanes. While growing up in California, Van Hees recalled going to the bowling alley with his father, Kelly, who is a professional bowler. At just the age of 7, Van Hees inherited his father’s passion for the sport when he bowled for the first time at a friend’s birthday party.
“Bowling has always been a big part of my life. I’m pretty sure my father brought me to the bowling alley when I was still in a cradle,” Van Hees said.
The Van Hees’ enthusiasm for bowling traveled with them when they moved from California to Newport in 1994. Through winning tournaments and setting records, Jon Van Hees quickly made a name for himself within the New England bowling scene before launching his professional career in 2004.
When they weren’t striking pins, the Van Hees also worked at pro shops throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It made sense that when the owner of those pro shops decided it was time to sell, the father-son duo decided it was time to embark on their new venture and launched Strike F/X Pro Shops Inc. in 2006 alongside fellow bowler Ed Gagnon.
The business began with three shops, one each located in Cranston, Westport and Somerset. After just a few years, the company grew to five locations, adding stores in both North Attleborough and Taunton.
Jon Van Hees said the transition from employee to owner of some of the same pro shops he used to work at has been a rewarding endeavor.
“Working in and supporting the shops is great; there’s just a huge network of really inspired and ambitious people who have a common goal of just wanting to help people,” said Van Hees, who has also held leadership roles in the New England Bowlers Association and the Rhode Island United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association.
Jon Van Hees became the sole owner of the company in 2011 when both Gagnon and his father stepped down from their roles. After consolidating the business into just two locations, the company got back on a roll when Van Hees partnered with fellow bowler Alex Aguiar. In 2013, the pair opened a third location, in East Providence, and by 2015 they established Strike F/X Pro Shops LLC.
The duo also holds an impressive bowling record with a combined six inductions into various bowling halls of fame, as well as several regional and national league championship titles.
The most notable of these honors is when Van Hees made history in 2016 as the first bowler from Rhode Island to win the Professional Bowler Association National Championship. Van Hees said the recognition from his high-profile accomplishment has boosted the business and brought awareness to bowling communities in Rhode Island.
“It was a surreal moment and once I got the title, I think it helped open doors to bring exposure to the state with more youth tournaments and visits from some famous bowlers,” Van Hees said.
Now with eight shops opened, including at East Providence Lanes, which is home to the state’s first NCAA Women’s Bowling program at Bryant University, Van Hees said he hopes to continue opening lanes for New England’s next generation of bowlers to thrive.
OWNERS: Jon Van Hees and Alex Aguiar
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Specialty sporting goods retail store
LOCATIONS: Eight, including four in Rhode Island and four in Massachusetts
EMPLOYEES: Between 10-20 (varies seasonally)
YEAR FOUNDED: 2006
ANNUAL REVENUE: $1.2 million to $1.5 million
