Courtesy of Miller's Lanes

LAURIUM — Eighty years ago, in 1946, Bill and Marge Miller opened the doors to a new bowling center named Miller’s Recreation at 311 Hecla Street in Laurium. Now known as Miller’s Lanes, the former Super Quality Foods warehouse had turned into 6-lane bowling center with a sandwich shop and tavern. At that time the lanes had manual pinsetters – boys and men would clear and set the pins on each lane after each frame; each man earned 10¢ per game!

In 1956 the Center expanded to include two more lanes, the kitchen was relocated and a concourse area built to provide room for games and dancing. Automatic Brunswick pinsetters were then installed, making it the first Center to own and operate automatic pinsetters in the Copper Country.

On any given night, one could enter to see 40 or more people bowling and enjoying life. Thousands of people have bowled at Miller’s at some point in their lives. In the late 1970’s and 1980’s, celebrities like Frankie Yankovic “America’s Polka King” stopped in to enjoy Marge’s cooking after his polka tours. Music and dancing would erupt at the bar. Local favorite, accordionist Margaret Andrina, was also frequent performer.

In the mid-1990s Miller’s Lanes became the first Copper Country Center to install automatic scorers – giving bowlers more time to socialize while bowling! Since then, the scoring system has been upgraded and bowling leagues occur seven days a week.

Over the years the business has grown and expanded. Miller’s now offers a full-service restaurant which features daily and monthly specials; made from scratch chicken wing sauces, desserts and soups.

Even with all these business changes, the oldest bowling center in the Copper Country, is still owned and operated by the Miller family. Celebrating its third generation of Miller family members who have set pins, maintained the building, updated machines, bartended, cooked, coached children and waited tables, the tradition of providing a family-oriented recreation experience has always been the goal.

Bowling leagues, tournaments, open bowling (including glow and bumper bowling), and birthday parties are options for ages three and older. The 11th Frame Restaurant offers food at reasonable prices. Sports are offered on several televisions throughout the center, along with lottery & keno. The concourse features tables for dining, a pool table, games (crane, foosball, Ms Pac Man) and a juke box with tunes for everyone. Through the history of the business the Miller family has always strived to provide a service to the community by hosting church, school, community and veterans groups; providing free bowling to children; sponsoring local causes; and providing an environment where everyone feels welcome at the establishment.

Miller’s Lanes “80 YEARS IN BUSINESS CELEBRATION” is set for Saturday, February 28, 2026. From noon – 5 p.m. you can bowl for 80¢ a game. During the day enjoy 80¢ food specials, 80¢ drink specials, play trivia games and win prizes! From 7 – 11 pm, listen and dance to live music by Groove Candy from Marquette.