Koz’s Mini Bowl is a decades-spanning Milwaukee institution. Some (us) might even say it’s a Mandatory Milwaukee destination. “Unlike a typical bowling alley,” we wrote back in 2018, “Koz’s has four half-sized wooden lanes, smaller bowling balls, and a human rather than a mechanical pinsetter. Owner Justin Kosakowski notes that his lanes are also shorter than the ones used for duckpin bowling. ‘We call it “mini duckpin bowling,”‘ he says.”

About Kosakowski: On August 28, he was seriously hurt by a hit and run driver. He now faces a long road to recovery and plenty of medical bills—not to mention keeping a business already hurt by COVID-19 afloat. Enter a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with those costs.

“We are raising money for Justin and his family and the bar we love,” reads the fundraiser.” Between Carol [Justin’s mother] passing away and Covid closing the bar times have been tough for the Koz’s family. Justin the owner and one of Milwaukee’s best bartenders was severely hurt by a hit and run driver on August 28th. He is finally home from the hospital but will be a couple months till he can walk again. We are raising money for the bills that are piling up, and to finish up the renovations so the bar can reopen. Thank you for your donation and we look forward to seeing you soon.”

The fundraiser has amassed more than $6,000 since launching September 9. There have plenty of updates, too. “Thank you all so much, the support is overwhelming,” reads one from this week. “Justin is in good spirits and has the cast removed for now. Still in a lot of pain and a long road ahead. Malaysia and family are doing an amazing job taking care of him.”

Contribute to the fundraiser HERE, and long live Koz’s Mini Bowl.

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.