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Bingo parlor moving to Kannapolis

By Karen Cimino Wilson | Independent Tribune

Published: April 15, 2009

The owners of a bingo parlor that has operated in China Grove since 1991 will move the parlor to Kannapolis next month in the hope of boosting business during the economic downturn.

Dan and Debra Lewis, owners of Deby's 29 Beach Bingo, plan to close their location at 166 N. Main St. in China Grove by the end of the month and reopen at the Kannapolis location in the old Cabarrus Shopping Center at 475 South Cannon Blvd.

The Kannapolis Board of Adjustment approved last week the permit, allowing the beach bingo operation to relocate to Kannapolis, said Lauren Page, community planner for the city.

Dan Lewis said the economy has caused a dip in his business, because most of his patrons live in Kannapolis and don't want to travel to China Grove as they look for ways to trim their budgets.

"With the economic times the way they've turned out, we just need to be closer to our clients," Dan Lewis said. "We hate to leave. But we've seen a big drop off (in business)."

North Carolina allows charitable bingo games to be played once a week.

Beach bingo, the term for commercial bingo, is strictly for entertainment, Lewis said. Beach bingo is allowed five days a week, but is restricted by the state in how much it can offer in winnings.

Prizes greater than $10 are not allowed. Prizes worth more than $10 but less than $50 are considered a misdemeanor offense. Prizes worth more than $50 are considered a felony, according to the City of Kannapolis.

"We play nothing but bingo," Lewis said. "The law prohibits any other activity besides beach bingo. We give them coffee and desserts and stuff. People love to eat and play bingo."

The new bingo parlor will be located next to the Pier 29 restaurant. Other tenants include a construction equipment retailer, two auto parks retailers and a Latin grocery store.

Deby's 29 Beach Bingo plans to be open Wednesday through Sunday. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Games will start at 7 p.m. and go on until folks want to go home.

Bingo costs $1 per game for most games. But there are some nights when patrons can play for as little as a nickel a game, Lewis said.