Construction Promotion and New Ownership at Olivette Lanes

St. Louis area, September 20, 2025

News Summary

S. M. Wilson & Co. has promoted Emily Klackner to Senior Project Manager after joining the firm as an intern and building a portfolio that includes school district bond work, district master planning, retail remodels and high-profile community projects. Meanwhile, Olivette Lanes at 9520 Olive Blvd is under new ownership for the first time in 17 years. The buyer, a long-time bowling industry professional, financed the purchase through U.S. Bank, retained the existing staff, and plans modest interior upgrades while keeping the center’s familiar exterior and community focus. The center remains reachable at 314-991-0365.

Local construction firm promotes project manager as Olivette Lanes changes hands after 17 years

S. M. Wilson & Co. promoted Emily Klackner to Senior Project Manager, and for the first time in 17 years, Olivette Lanes is under new ownership. Both moves touch long-running local operations: one inside a St. Louis-based construction firm and the other at a neighborhood bowling center on Olive Boulevard.

Top lines: promotion and sale

S. M. Wilson & Co. is a St. Louis-based construction management and general contracting firm. S. M. Wilson & Co. promoted Emily Klackner to Senior Project Manager. Emily Klackner joined S. M. Wilson in 2019. She began her journey with S. M. Wilson as a college intern and chose to launch her full-time career with S. M. Wilson after graduation. While at the firm, Emily Klackner has worked on a variety of projects including educational, retail and residential developments while at S. M. Wilson.

Emily Klackner’s project portfolio includes the Jefferson City School District’s 2024 Bond Issue. Her portfolio also includes the Ladue School District’s Master Plan, City Foundry STL, COCA’s expansion and two Target store remodels. Since 2023, Emily Klackner has been an active member of the AGCMO Construction Leadership Council (CLC). Emily Klackner currently serves on the AGCMO Board of Directors as the CLC Representative.

The announcement from the firm also included a repeated prompt asking readers to subscribe, which was present multiple times in the source announcement.

Olivette Lanes: new owner, steady operation

Olivette Lanes is located at 9520 Olive Blvd. Olivette Lanes sits on the south side of the road at that address. Don Klackner, age 50, of St. Charles, is the new owner of Olivette Lanes. He is described as the new owner, proprietor, general manager of Olivette Lanes. For the first time in 17 years, the center now has new stewardship after longtime owners stepped back.

Don Klackner has been in bowling for half his adult life. His work history includes a long run with a major bowling manufacturer: Don Klackner worked 26 years in the bowling industry for the Brunswick Corp. of Chicago. During that span he managed Lakeside Brunswick Zone in Valley Park and opened and ran the Brunswick Zone Excel Center in St. Peters. His connection to the sport goes back to youth leagues: Don Klackner started bowling in junior programs when he was 13 years old.

After leaving his long-term employer during a down economy, Klackner approached the then-owner about opportunities. Ted Krygiel owned and operated the 24-lane Olivette Lanes center with his wife Joanie. Ted Krygiel had been thinking about retirement for years. Klackner structured financing to buy the business and is financing the purchase through U.S. Bank. He says the center’s steady revenue stream made the purchase possible.

Competition in the area has shifted recently: Nearby Strike ‘N Spare lanes in Creve Coeur closed down. The nearest competition to Olivette Lanes is Tropicana Lanes in Clayton. Don Klackner said Tropicana Lanes is owned by three people, all in their 80s. He expressed uncertainty about the long-term prospects of that nearby center.

Plans, staff and customers

Klackner is described as marketing savvy and keeping things simple at Olivette Lanes. Patrons like the Route 66 retro look and feel of Olivette Lanes, and Klackner plans modest upgrades such as new carpeting, some fresh paint and new, more modern scoring machines. The exterior zany purple paint will remain for now.

Klackner retained the existing team at the center: Klackner kept the entire Krygiel staff when he bought Olivette Lanes. He also added a birthday party hostess to the staff. The food and drink side remains a draw: The restaurant and bar at Olivette Lanes is noted for good food, appetizers and drinks, and the restaurant and bar remains mostly unchanged under Klackner’s ownership.

Groups have already used the updated space. The private meeting room at Olivette Lanes, for 35 guests, is getting a substantial face-lift. Private groups have already held events at the newly owned center. Recent users include Central Christian School in Clayton hosted a private bowling party at Olivette Lanes, The Ladue School system has had two events at Olivette Lanes recently, and MICDS teachers meet up every Friday for a casual night of bowling at Olivette Lanes.

Klackner plans to grow the business going forward. The center maintains a no-smoking policy and a tidy appearance: There’s no smoking in Olivette Lanes; the center smells clean and looks neat and fresh.

History and contact

Olivette Lanes originally opened in 1954. The center was opened by Hall of Fame bowler Nelson Burton Sr. opened Olivette Lanes in 1954. Olivette Lanes flourished for years after opening.

Operationally, Don Klackner and his team of 15 employees maintain extensive business hours at Olivette Lanes so bowlers can find a home for their sport in Olivette. The center can be reached by phone at 314-991-0365, and Olivette Lanes has a new website.

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Additional Resources

• RE Journals: S. M. Wilson names Senior Project Manager
• Wikipedia: Construction management
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Local column
• Google Search: Nelson Burton Sr
• Patch: Olivette Bowling Lanes under new ownership
• Google Scholar: Olivette Lanes
• S. M. Wilson & Co. (company site)
• Encyclopedia Britannica: construction
• Local listing: Olivette Lanes (Google Maps)
• Google News: Olivette Lanes

Author: Construction NY News

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