Difference Between AMF and AAI (Jefferson: YMCA, under 21, law)

[monicapies]

I noticed at my local YMCA that a gymnastic mat with the name AMF was sitting next to an almost identical mat, but with the name AAI. The logos for the two different names were of an identical design, with a triangle fitting into one of the letters on the top. Both of them were marked as having Jefferson, Iowa as company headquarters. What is the difference between these two names? I know AMF is a company known for their bowling alleys and bowling equipment, as well as their billiard tables (often conveniently found at bars at their bowling alleys), Ben Hogan golf equipment, lawn tractors, bicycles, and even motorcycles. They once owned Harley-Davidson in the 70s. But I have never seen anything other than gymnastic mats with the AAI name. I find it safe to assume there are no AAI bowling alleys out there somewhere but am I wrong?

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

Not from Iowa myself (I am NOT the original poster), is it perhaps against the law in Iowa for bowling alleys to serve alcoholic beverages? I read a news article years ago about protests when a Maryland AMF center was expanding to add a bar, which mentioned certain states/cities having laws against recreational businesses having booze. If bowling alleys in Iowa have enclosed bars, perhaps are those bars exempt from smoking bans (either by law or per the business owner) that the bowling areas themselves have? AMF moved its bowling headquarters to Virginia from what I understand.

[duster1979]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

Not from Iowa myself (I am NOT the original poster), is it perhaps against the law in Iowa for bowling alleys to serve alcoholic beverages?

Rest assured that this is not the case. Do you know what they call a bowling alley in Iowa that doesn't serve alcoholic beverages? Closed.

If bowling alleys in Iowa have enclosed bars, perhaps are those bars exempt from smoking bans (either by law or per the business owner) that the bowling areas themselves have?

Bars aren't exempt from the smoking ban in Iowa.

Originally Posted by monicapies

I noticed at my local YMCA that a gymnastic mat with the name AMF was sitting next to an almost identical mat, but with the name AAI. The logos for the two different names were of an identical design, with a triangle fitting into one of the letters on the top. Both of them were marked as having Jefferson, Iowa as company headquarters. What is the difference between these two names? I know AMF is a company known for their bowling alleys and bowling equipment, as well as their billiard tables (often conveniently found at bars at their bowling alleys), Ben Hogan golf equipment, lawn tractors, bicycles, and even motorcycles. They once owned Harley-Davidson in the 70s. But I have never seen anything other than gymnastic mats with the AAI name. I find it safe to assume there are no AAI bowling alleys out there somewhere but am I wrong?

AAI is headquartered in Jefferson and has been since the beginning. They aren't (and never have been, to my knowledge) involved in the manufacture of anything but gymnastics equipment. My guess is that when AMF went broke in the '80s ans started spinning off all its subsidiaries AAI bought out the gymnastics equipment division in order to claim a larger market share and now sells the same product under both labels.

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

The AMF bowling alleys in Texas have a policy (perhaps a law?) against anyone under 21 playing pool/billards at their establishments, just because the pool tables are in the bar. But the bars at these places are usually TINY and many have no wall between them and the rest of the building. Why smoking is allowed in these bars but banned in the rest of the buildings makes no sense to me. An AMF in Pennsylvania that I once visited did have an enclosed bar, yet had a golf arcade game in the bar, despite there being a separate, rather large arcade at the other end of the building.