NATCHEZ — The city’s only bowling alley is going through some changes including a new name — Bluff City Bowl.

People driving by the familiar John R. Junkin Drive business have expressed concern to see the building’s longtime name removed from the exterior, but new owner Lee Hash said Rivergate Bowl is not going away, just undergoing a renovation.

“It has just been 35 years of the same place,” Hash said. “I felt like we needed to rebrand it.”

The bowling alley has been handed down from grandmother to grandson. Hash said his grandmother, Anne Hash, has had health problems and was ready to step down.

“I have worked here since I was 18 and when my grandmother got sick, I became the general manager,” Hash said. “When the opportunity came to buy it, I jumped on it.”

Hash purchased the business on Nov. 21, with partner  Bill Stahlman.

Bluff City Bowl aims to be all about the family and providing children with something positive to do, Hash said.

“Everyone in Natchez says there is nothing to do, and we are trying to quell that,” Hash said. “We want to provide a new experience. At Bluff City Bowl we are about friends, family and fun.”

The gaming center is being revamped and will feature fewer pool tables and incorporate more arcade machines and games such as air hockey. Some of the games are coming from the former Fun Tunnel at the Natchez Mall.

Hash said he hoped the game room would be open for customers today, but he said it might not be open until early next week.

“In the first month, we are redoing the game room and we have plans to modernize the place,” Hash said.

Despite the construction, Hash said the lanes are open for bowling.

To become more family friendly, Hash said the bowling alley is also now a smoke-free business.

Hash said Bluff City Bowl has also been trying out a new special in which children bowl free from open until 5 p.m. on weekdays.

“It’ll give the kids something to do,” Hash said. “Bowling is a fun sport and they can start bowling as young as three. My daughter (Katelyn Hash) is three and loves it.”

Hash said he has also researched bowling alleys around the region and Natchez is amongst the most economical.

“I feel like we are fair,” Hash said. “We are not going to jack the prices up because we are one of the few options in Natchez.”

For more information, Bluff City Bowl — located at 285 John R. Junkin Drive — call 601-442-8436.