Promote sustainability and complement the high design and iconic look of the facility
EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Brooklyn Bowl, a 16-lane bowling alley, music venue and restaurant, is equally known for its aesthetic as its entertainment. Described as “one of the most amazing places on Earth” by Rolling Stone, Brooklyn Bowl has played host to a slew of top acts including Guns N’ Roses and Elvis Costello, and now counts among its offerings a top brand: XLERATOR® Hand Dryers from Excel Dryer.
Significant planning and construction were necessary to convert the former Hecla Iron Works building, a 100-year-old factory, into the current entertainment space as it’s known today. Likewise, some interesting energy-saving initiatives had to be implemented in order for the facility to achieve LEED® certification — making it the first bowling alley worldwide to hold the distinction — including the adoption of string-mounted pin spotters, reclaimed cork and recycled truck tire floors, 100 percent wind-powered electricity and XLERATOR high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers.
“Part of the green initiative was that hand dryers were going to be a better choice for us, in terms of energy consumption and waste,” said Stephen Schwarz, general manager at Brooklyn Bowl. “XLERATOR Hand Dryers were part of the plan from the very beginning.” The XLERATOR and Excel Dryer line of high-efficiency dryers are the only in the industry to be tested to guidelines from the Global Hand Dryer Product Category Rules (PCR) published by UL Environment. In addition, XLERATOR uses 80 percent less energy than conventional hand dryers and represent a 95 percent cost savings when compared to paper towels, eliminating their labor, maintenance and waste. An independent Life Cycle Assessment (peer reviewed to ISO 14040 standards) of XLERATOR confirmed it reduces the carbon footprint of hand drying by 50-75 percent compared to both traditional hand dryers and even 100-percent recycled paper towels.
In addition to fitting into the green initiative, the XLERATOR ultimately met the upscale and trendy design of the facility. For a place that is curated to the smallest detail, it was important for the XLERATOR to fit in with the overall aesthetic of Brooklyn Bowl. “It’s an iconic Brooklyn place with an iconic look,” said Schwarz. “We put a lot of thought and effort into the way this place looks, including the bathrooms. And I think the XLERATOR has a sophisticated look that really fits the feel of the place and carries it through. So you’re not in this beautiful place and walk into something that looks like a gas station bathroom. You’ve got a great look in there. And the XLERATOR fits right in.”
In a facility that hosts 2,000-3,000 visitors a day, performance, reliability and sustainability were all of importance and factors for consideration. “The dryers are great,” said Schwarz. “With all the traffic through our bathrooms, we’ve had great success with them. It keeps trash off the floor, keeps clogs out of the toilets. Bathrooms are cleaner, guests are happier.”
For more information about Excel Dryer or its expanded and enhanced product line, visit exceldryer.com/products.php.
About Excel Dryer, Inc.
Excel Dryer has been manufacturing the finest American-made hand dryers for more than 50 years. The family-owned and -operated company revolutionized the industry with the invention of the patented XLERATOR® Hand Dryer that created the high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer category and set a new standard for performance, reliability and customer satisfaction. Excel Dryer continues to lead the industry with its expanded and enhanced product line featuring adjustable sound, speed and heat controls. Combined with the most options and complete line of accessories, the best hand drying solution can be designed for any restroom environment. Excel Dryer prides itself on offering the best customer service and making sustainable products people can depend on. Available for distribution worldwide, Excel Dryer products can be purchased through an established network of sales representatives who call on more than 4,000 distributors globally. Learn more about Excel Dryer at exceldryer.com.