Help for Thunder Alley customers

Customers who previously made deposits or reservations at Thunder Alley, a prominent Elkhorn bowling and entertainment center that closed unexpectedly Monday, will have their financial commitments honored fully by two former competitors.

Owners of Sempeck's Elkhorn Lanes and of Thunderbowl in Council Bluffs said Tuesday they will give credit for any deposits made for parties, groups or leagues at Thunder Alley.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the limited liability corporation that owned Thunder Alley said he had no comment on why it closed. Three partners in the business either could not be reached Tuesday or did not return phone calls.

Steve Sempeck, a former partner in Thunder Alley, said he and Thunderbowl owner Dick Stevens agreed to honor the deposits because Ted Baer, the owner of Thunder Alley and president of Alan Baer & Associates, is their friend, and because they don't want to disappoint bowlers.

Sempeck said he didn't know how much his pledge will cost him.

Thomas J. Malicki of the Omaha law firm Abraham Kaslow & Cassman LLP is the registered agent for Bowl Nebraska LLC, which owns Thunder Alley. Malicki said he couldn't talk about the circumstances behind the closing.

Baer did not return phone calls. His co-partners, Doug Laird and Rich Abboud, could not be reached because phone numbers listed for them were disconnected.

According to the Douglas County Assessor's office, the 86,480-square foot Thunder Alley building and its 8.5-acre lot at 20902 Cumberland Dr. were valued at just over $11 million.

Sempeck, who said he left the Thunder Alley partnership in early 2008, said the recession had hurt the business.

"I'm sure the economy over the last year has had an effect on Thunder Alley. That facility was, and still is, the new genesis of entertainment," he said.

The bowling alley underwent an extensive renovation and reopened two years ago. It had 40 lanes, a restaurant, arcade, go-kart track and pro shop.

Two other Omaha businesses also announced special offers for Thunder Alley customers Tuesday.

Barb Kirshenbaum, operations manager at Prestige, 810 S. 169 St., said her restaurant and bar would waive the deposit on any group party, regardless of size. stThe Amazing Pizza Machine family entertainment center, 13955 S Plaza, will honor reservations and deposits at half their original worth.