JOCO Bingo co-owner Chip Stephens demonstrates how the Bingo board is used at the new charitable bingo hall on the border of Burleson and Alvarado on FM 917. The bingo hall's grand opening is this weekend.
Game hall to make residents stand up and shout (Posted 2/8/2010)
There is a new game in town and bingo is its name-o.
 
JOCO Bingo, a new charitable bingo hall on FM 917 near the Alvarado and Burleson border, is holding its grand opening this weekend, and it was a dream come true for co-owner Chip Stephens.

The Burleson City Council member and his partner, Burleson Planning and Zoning Commission member Scott McMillan, became friends seven years ago and recently started discussing a new business venture.

“He mentioned one day, ‘What do you think about a bingo hall,’” Stephens said. “I thought it was interesting because I grew up playing Bingo with my grandparents.”

McMillan did the homework on the hall and the duo “ran from there.” After being “extremely fortunate” in the people who have helped them get their Bingo hall up and running, JOCO Bingo held its soft-opening on New Year’s Day.

Since the soft opening, the bingo hall has been operating every weekend and are already seeing a few familiar faces.

“We have a few people who get here at 5:30 p.m. every day,” he said. “We have been glad to see a lot of repeat business and with us being in the city limits of Burleson but having an Alvarado address, we are centrally located to Alvarado, Joshua, Venus and Burleson.”

Stephens hopes for the bingo hall to gain a growing number of customers, he said. The game hall can be used by avid Bingo players, but it is also family-friendly, Stephens said.

“We also have kids sets for kids 10 and up to come play with a parent or guardian [they must sit with their parent or guardian] for $2,” he said. “We want to make it less cumbersome for a parent to bring their kids.”

 
For full story, check out the February 7 edition of the Burleson Star. To receive current hometown news everyday, subscribe on this website by clicking the My Star link on the the left or by calling: 817-295-0486.