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In the creation of the Web site we were fascinated to learn about the many accomplishments of its owner, EDDIE PAWL, and we decided to include this history and dedicate it to:

Your host --- EDDIE PAWL!

The story of Continental Lanes begins with the history of the Pawl family roots. At the turn of the century two Polish immigrants met in the logging community of Amsterdam, New York. Michael Pawlega, who immigrated from Galicia, Poland with money his sister raised for him by selling her sewing machine, made his way to France to board a ship bound for the United States. Making residence in Amsterdam, he began work as a lumberjack.

While renting a room from the Bojanowski home, Michael fell in love with Frances Bojanowski, the middle daughter of his landlord. After asking for her hand in marriage, Michael quit his job as a lumberjack and found employment at the Mohawk Carpet Mills to remain close to his new wife and family. The carpet mills had warehouses of carpet with color imperfections, so inventive Michael found a way to dye the carpet black and created a new fashion trend for home interiors of "black carpeting."

When the Great Depression began, Michael, like many others, found himself out of work and desperate. A friend summoned Michael to Detroit where he would be able to find work in the automotive industry at Fisher Body making automotive trim. After becoming financially stable, Michael was then able to bring his family to the area, and find residence in the Polish community of Hamtramck, Michigan.

When the Depression was over, Detroit’s economy began to grow. Michael found himself at Vonn Brewery where he had to pay $15.00 for his job. He then moved the famous Stroh’s Brewery. It was working for these companies that he acquired the nickname “Big Mike” because of his endurance on the job, and his incredible strength.

As his family grew, the only son, Eddie, found in himself the same work ethic and family pride that his father had. At an early age Eddie discovered his talent for music. His first instrument was the violin. His father, who played the harmonica, would challenge Eddie to family musical competitions. If Eddie could keep up, his father would reward him with a nickel. As he grew Eddie learned to play several other instruments including the clarinet and the saxophone. While growing and developing his talent, Eddie would spend hours entertaining the neighbors from the front porch of his home, playing many of the popular tunes of the times.

As he cultivated his musical talents, he found a love for jazz that would allow him to pursue his playing as a future career. He began to play in local nightclubs, and things were progressing well, until the outbreak of the Korean War. Eddie was drafted to the C.I.C., and was shipped to Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. While playing in the army band there he met and fell in love with Billie Williamson. He was then shipped off to entertain the troops in Korea and continued to develop his love of music while also serving his country. During that time Eddie met and played along side of some of the music greats of that time such as, Bob Strong, Pete Fountain, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, and Elliot Lawrence.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1953, Eddie came back to the states to then marry the love of his life Billie Williamson, and start a family on the east side of Detroit. Tired of being on the road performing, Eddie and Billie opened their first business venture, The Terrace Lounge. As success followed so did the expansion of business opportunities. Sid’s Café, a supper club, located on E. Warren Avenue was purchased. Within six months the name was changed to Eddie Pawl’s and became a first class, 500 seat supper club, serving over 6,000 dinners a week and employing a wait staff of over 28 people. Eddie Pawl’s Supper Club, was known for its fine dining atmosphere, dancing, celebrity entertainment, and social gatherings. Over time the businesses expanded to include such locations as, Thunderbowl Bowling Lanes, Sunny Acres Golf Course, and Lidos on the Lake where Eddie and his quartet made many jazz recordings such as their CD “Eddie Pawl Live at the Lido," and Continental Lanes Bowling Center.

After the death of his father in 1971, Eddie changed his name legally from Pawlega to Pawl for professional reasons, as well as for the ease of pronunciation.

Eddie's first involvement in the bowling industry was in 1961 when he became a partner in Thunderbowl Bowling Lanes, located in Allen Park, Michigan. At the gala grand opening event celebrities who knew Eddie from his touring days, like Jane Mansfield, were there to wish him well. His interest grew in the bowling business and he decided to open his own center in Roseville in 1963 called Continental Lanes.

Interesting business ventures have always been a way of life for Mr. Pawl. In 1967 he began to export beef to the Greek army from Australia and New Zealand. During that time he befriended the Prince of Saudi Arabia and still remains friends with him to this day. The Prince of Saudi Arabia invited Mr. Pawl and his family to move to his country. In the 70s Mr. Pawl also obtained a patent for swivel tractor trailer mirrors that were provided to England Leyland Tractor Trailer that improved visibility from 15-85% and drastically decreased accidents and property damage in that country.

As the businesses grew so did the Pawl family. Eddie and Billie had three children. They have also been raised with the work ethic and family pride that was passed down to them by their parents.

Michelle Pawl-Gierak, the oldest daughter, is a Registered Investment Representative and Risk Management Advisor with M3 Investment Services in Southfield. She has four adult children.

Michael Pawl, named after Eddie's father, is also a successful businessman. He runs Mickie P’s, the food service center inside Continental Lanes, and also is the owner of Steel City Gym in Richmond. He plays the harmonica, just like his namesake, his grand father, did years ago. He is the proud father of three children.

Stephan Pawl, is a graduate of Interlochen Musical Academy. He is involved in coordinating the 70 bowling leagues as well as dealing with the day to day operations of Continental Lanes Bowling Center in Roseville. He also pursues a career in the musical field playing keyboards and a variety of other instruments as the musical minister of one of the local churches. He has three daughters.

Eddie now spends his winters in Sarasota Florida. His business interests have expanded to include the opening of a new jewelry store, Gold Mine and Yours in the Sarasota area. He still plays his horn occasionally with many of his friends from the “good ol days” like Bob Snyder, Dick Hyman, John Laporta, Kenny Drew Jr., Jack Brokensha, Rob McConnell, Charlie Prawdzik, Jerry Jerome, and Kenny Soderblom.

We felt that the story of Eddie Pawl’s life was so full of interest and diversity that it should be added to this Web site as a lasting tribute.

You can listen to Samples of Eddie Pawl's Music 
or Order Eddie Pawl's Cd's at:
< puppyjazz.com