Ten Pins Down stresses family fun, customer service

Among all of the attractions at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, Ten Pins Down is among the most distinct.

With a combination of bowling, giant television screens, plush couches and signature food, Ten Pins Down prides itself on being more than Maricopa’s only option for picking up strikes and spares.

“It’s not your normal bowling alley,” said Victoria Portillo, a supervisor at Ten Pins Down. “It’s something the whole family can come and enjoy.”

Aside from the variety of entertainment options available, Portillo believes that the customer service is what separates the bowling center from the pack.

“The team members we have are very energetic and willing to go above and beyond to help the customers,” Portillo said. “The service is amazing and everyone you see will have a smile on their face. We’re constantly doing things for the customers, and we’re willing to do anything to make sure you want to come back.”

Portillo realizes how important a place like Ten Pins Down is to Maricopa’s youth, in large part because she’s lived in Maricopa since elementary school.

“I know how it was growing up. It was hard to find something to do a lot of the time,” Portillo said. “This is somewhere kids can go and hang out with their friends. It’s a safe place, and it keeps them off the street.”

For an entertainment-based business, Portillo thinks that Maricopa provides a good location. She said that while there are sometimes people coming from the Metro Phoenix area, most customers are local to Maricopa.

"Maricopa is really good for business because there’s not a lot else to do here and not a lot of people want to waste the gas to go into town,” Portillo said. “I remember when I was little and my parents wouldn’t drive me into town to do things. Now people can just drive here.”