🔒Groton couple plans to turn aging Wolcott bowling alley into holographic attraction

A Groton-based academic and her entrepreneur husband recently bought a 63-year-old Wolcott bowling alley with plans to transform the property into an interstate attraction featuring a “holographic zoo.” Shelly Rampal, 48, is an educational researcher pursuing her doctorate from Charles Darwin University in Australia. Her husband, Ricky, 49, sold one of his two Groton liquor stores to fund their Wolcott investment. In October, the couple paid $787,595 for the 15,282-square-foot Wolcott Lanes bowling alley on 2.6 acres at 955 Wolcott Road. They plan to invest several hundred thousand dollars more to modernize the lanes and install the holographic zoo. The attraction will feature large, walk-through tubes where visitors can observe 3D light projections of animals and other scenes. The moving images can showcase typical zoo animals such as lions or giraffes, sea creatures like sharks and whales, or long-extinct species like dinosaurs. Seasonal programs are also planned for holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. Rampal said she also plans to design original educational displays, including one illustrating the life cycle of a butterfly. She hopes to complete the remodel by April. “There will be lots of interactive learning opportunities,” Rampal said. “It also cultivates a love for nature among students. When parents go with their kiddos, it will also cultivate strong bonding.”

To bring the concept to life, the Rampals are working with Axiom, an Australia-based holographic technology vendor that provides displays for business, defense, educational and entertainment purposes. According to Axiom’s website, the company has installed more than 40 holographic zoos worldwide, including locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Existing holographic zoos operate in Easton, Pennsylvania, and Austin, Texas. Axiom’s pilot zoo in Sydney, Australia, generated $350,000 in 42 days, according to the company. The Rampals’ timing coincides with growing global interest in immersive and holographic entertainment. According to a 2025 report by market research firm WiseGuy Reports, the global hologram entertainment market was valued at about $3.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach roughly $10 billion by 2035, growing at an annual rate of more than 10%. Analysts attribute the surge to rapid advances in 3D projection and laser technologies, as well as rising consumer demand for interactive, experience-driven attractions.

Family affair

Originally from northern India, the Rampals moved to Australia in 2014 so Shelly could pursue higher education. Ricky Rampal opened and later sold two restaurants there before the couple relocated to Connecticut in late 2021, where he purchased his first liquor store in Groton. Shelly Rampal holds a bachelor’s degree in science, zoology, botany and chemistry; a master’s in English literature and linguistics; and another in education. She is currently working toward a doctorate in well-being and sustainability education from Charles Darwin University. In October, she launched New England Edutainment LLC as the operating company for the Wolcott venture. Rampal said she hopes to eventually open a teachers college in Connecticut. Earlier this year, the couple decided to create a family-friendly business that would allow them to spend more time together and teach their children — ages 8, 15 and 18 — the fundamentals of business. They found Wolcott Lanes after a six-month search. “The idea behind it was to get the whole family involved; make it a family friendly place, first for us, and then for everyone else,” Ricky Rampal said.

Renovations and expansion

The Wolcott Lanes property had been on the market for several years, and a cash offer helped reduce the asking price, said Nick Longo, associate broker with Middlebury-based Matthews Commercial Properties, who listed the site and procured the buyer. The property had also drawn interest from a discount clothing company, a manufacturer and another bowling alley operator, Longo said. “What’s key is you can fill 100 cars over there,” Longo said. Ricky Rampal said the couple is considering expanding the building by about 5,000 square feet to accommodate the holographic zoo. If that proves too costly, they may repurpose some of the bowling lanes for the equipment. Whatever lanes remain will receive a major technological upgrade, with modern lights, sounds and effects that can be customized to different themes. Between the property purchase and improvements, Ricky Rampal said the couple expects to spend about $1.5 million to get the Wolcott business operational. “We will be working to improve it day by day,” Shelly Rampal said. “It’s going to be more innovative, more interactive and geared toward educational, child-friendly activities.”