Viejas adds bowling alley

Viejas decides to go bowling in Alpine

12 lanes planned for outlet center

By Onell R. Soto The Viejas Indian band is adding the sound of crashing bowling pins to that of jangling slot machines and splashing water to keep the cash registers ringing at its Alpine reservation.

Construction workers are converting five vacant storefronts at the tribe's outlet mall into a 12-lane bowling center and bar designed to attract people who want to do more than shop or gamble.

The bowling is part of an effort to move the shopping center toward what's called a “lifestyle” center as retailing swoons from a recession that has seen sales fall steeply and national brands in bankruptcy.Comment:  For more on Viejas, see Sports Arena to Be Named "Viejas."