My Arcade Is Almost Open

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:38 am

I am getting some press for my arcade I am opening here in the Houston area. I wanted to share the first news article on the place here. There are about 3 more articles coming out on the business, one in the big Houston Chronicle paper on 9/24. I have received many PMs about my leaving the hobby, but actually, I ramped it up, but took it in a different direction. If anybody is ever in or around Houston, give me a call (number is in the article) and come on by!

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/ ... arcade.txt

robivy64 · Post by **robivy64** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:43 am

I was just in the Houston metro in May. I hope I can make it out that way again sometime soon. I would love to stop by (I drive to San Antonio occasionally).

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:49 am

This is cool. Kids under 12 get in for free? Wow, I wish I had that sweet of a deal when I was a kid.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:59 am

Kids get in for free is a gutsy move - I warrant you'll get so sick of them bashing up stuff, trying to pick your pocket, and moms using you for daycare that this policy will have to change eventually

It does seem like a good way to introduce kids to the classic arcade though. I hope it works out, and I hope the arcade itself prospers!

Are you putting in a lot of boards from your own collection that we see here on Shmups, including import boards, or mainly the domestic cabs from yesteryear?

How are you considering handling the wear & tear factor, as well?

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:07 am

What the article neglects to report is that kids get in for free with a paid adult. And the adult must stay with them; I am certainly not running a brat house!

The machines on offer are all classics, lovingly restored by my friends and I. Just as an example, we have:

I, Robot / Major Havoc / Super Punch Out / Punch Out / Asteroids / Gravitar / Space War/ Space Duel / Space Harrier / Planet Harriers / Blaster / Bubbles / Time Pilot / Gyruss

...and over 100 more machines, including about 15 pinball machines.

Post by **undamned** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:40 am

Cool, man! Keep us updated as to how things develop!

-ud

Post by **Dave_K.** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:48 am

Wow! Congrats Brain, and best of luck with the biz!

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:23 am

omfg, you have an I, Robot?! And it's not sitting in a museum (It belongs in a museum!) either.

Epic, just epic.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:34 pm

Congrats on your soon-to-be arcade business, Brian. Here's to many years of continued success. ^_~

I enjoyed reading the newspaper article. It's always nice to get the word out of a new arcade hangout. Could there be an arcade revival coming back in the USA? Let's hope so. ^_~

And will you plan on carrying the latest and greatest in arcade shmups for your arcade?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:59 am

cool stuff, best of luck to you mate

living on the other side of the world it is unlikeley that ill ever visit myself so hows bout a walkabout vid of the place?

Thunder Force · Post by **Thunder Force** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:22 am

Awesome that you actually went out and did this, best wishes for a thriving business!

I always wanted to try out Planet Harriers...

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:48 am

sven666 wrote:living on the other side of the world it is unlikeley that ill ever visit myself so hows bout a walkabout vid of the place?

+1

And lot's of luck to you.

ZOM · Post by **ZOM** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:31 pm

sven666 wrote:cool stuff, best of luck to you mate

living on the other side of the world it is unlikeley that ill ever visit myself so hows bout a walkabout vid of the place?

I second the video suggestion

Long way from swatch-land to Houston.

Anyways, best of luck with your new arcade!

dpful · Post by **dpful** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:15 am

Awesome! Are those pics of you? I will definitely visit if EVER in houston.

Necronopticous · Post by **Necronopticous** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:33 am

If I am ever in Houston I will be sure to drop by and put some scores on Gravitar.

Good luck with this noble venture.

Lordstar · Post by **Lordstar** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:41 am

If im ever out that way I will be sure to visit.

UnscathedFlyingObject · Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:56 pm

Wish you all the luck in the world, man.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:46 pm

Thanks for all the kind words. I have another article coming out in the big metro paper here next Thursday. Believe it or not, there is interest. I have received numerous calls from people who want to come by. I am also doing some school fundraisers. This arcade will put my "who's who" of marketing honor to the test.

And, yes, despite the shame, the pictures in the article are of me...

Lordstar · Post by **Lordstar** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:57 am

not so much you to shame. More like the cabinet your sitting on

that game is a bit shit. But then you need something for everyone right?

Bravo sir i wish you all the luck in the world. Good chance i will be doing the USA in the before 2012 so keep your head down to the stone and keep the place open until I can drop some dollar there.

chempop · Post by **chempop** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:36 am

Awesome news and best wishes for success and fun with the new biz!
PLANET HARRIERS!!!!! How on earth did you manage that one?!?! Only played it once in '02 when I visited a friend in Tokyo, truely an amazing game.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:17 am

chempop wrote:Awesome news and best wishes for success and fun with the new biz!
PLANET HARRIERS!!!!! How on earth did you manage that one?!?! Only played it once in '02 when I visited a friend in Tokyo, truely an amazing game.

The Planet Harriers is an odd one. Believe it or not, a Chuck E. Cheese in the Dallas, TX area was auctioning one off. Why they had it, I have no idea. I got the whole 2 player, linked cabinet for $500.

hermosaguy · Post by **hermosaguy** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:03 am

Congrats Brian! If I am ever in the area for work again I will definitely check it out!

brentsg · Post by **brentsg** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:47 pm

Congrats! I didn't know you had this coming up. Certainly many of my awesome childhood memories revolve around dropping quarters and tokens into those old classics. I remember a 2 player Wizard of Wor tournament that my uncle and I played in... man good times! That game doesn't get enough love.

Best of luck to you Brian. If I'm ever in the area you can bet I'll pay a visit.

shmups.system11.org

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