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Families finding alternatives to beach during hot weather

Indoor businesses are cashing in on the uncomfortable heat.

You ask most kids, they’ll choose swimming over bowling any July day, but when the temperature is this overwhelming more and more families are trading in the flip flops for the bowling shoes.

“As soon as they walk through those front doors, they are like, 'Whoo AC.' I’m like ‘All the time, that’s how we keep it in here. We can’t have people bowling when they are hot,’” said Brian Buttram, manager of AMF Indian River Lanes in Virginia Beach.

He said being just 10 minutes from the beach, his alley is a great alternative to melting in the sand.

“It helps my business tremendously. They are like ‘Let’s go to the beach.’ Then they realize, ‘Oh it’s too hot out. Let's google entertainment.’ I’m the first thing that pops up,” said Buttram.

Mother Dana Fuller said in AMF, the biggest risk is dropping a ball on your toes, but outside you can be facing a medical emergency.

“The sun is very dangerous. You get over exhausted outside, heat exhaustion,” said Fuller. “It’s a bad option so I would go anywhere other than the beach - the movies, anywhere,” said Fuller.

Speaking of movies, The Naro in Norfolk is also experiencing a summer boost in ticket sales.

“It has picked up a little bit because people just want to beat the heat. They don’t want to go to the beach, it's too hot. Why do that, when you can come in and enjoy a movie and be cool,” said manager Theresa Schindler.

Schindler said at The Naro every movie is two thumbs up when it comes to being comfortable.

“There is nothing like sitting in a movie theater that’s cool and dark with other people who want to be there to watch a movie. It’s the greatest thing going when it’s hot,” said Schindler.

People who took in the afternoon matinee conceded, going to the movies isn’t usually their first choice on a summer day, but they also have no regrets.

“I’d probably be at the beach if it were cooler, do other things outside. However, this heat is so oppressive that this is a great choice,” said Katherine Hobbs.

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