Did some research on my childhood arcade... Beanie's Arcade - Forest Lake, MN

[LordOfDoubleDee]

I have had the idea that the next time I was back in the Midwest I would try to do some research on my childhood arcade: Beanie's Arcade of Forest Lake, MN.

On this last trip I was able to schedule a visit to the archives of the Forest Lake Times. The Times is the local newspaper for the city of Forest Lake.

Forest Lake is about 30 minutes north/northeast of Minneapolis on Interstate 35W.

I was able to find a business filing for Beanie's of Forest Lake, Inc. from April 20th, 1982 - this gave me a good starting place.

I was able to find an article about arcade hours, a business profile, and coupons from a publication called The Peach

I have lots more to post but for now will get this started with the first article I found from November of 1982.

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

Here's the original article:

TL;DR version: mall tenets weren't into the arcade wanting to be open 'til midnight on the weekends - might bring out a bad element!

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

Thursday, November 11, 1982


AT NORTHLAND MALL

New arcade hours cause merchant worry

Recreation centers have been a point of controversy here before and the latest game room fuss is aimed at Beanie's Arcade, a Northland Mall business.

The fuss is over a change in hours for the arcade. The game room was allowed to change its hours of operation to midnight on Friday and Saturday based on the terms of its license with the City of Forest Lake and the official expansion of mall hours.

The decision to expand hours is one that worries some Northland Mall merchants. Representatives of 11 mall stores met with City Council Monday in hopes of urging Council action to block the move by Beanie's Arcade.

COUNCIL TOOK no action, however, since no problems currently exist. Council was also hesitant to act since a representative of the arcade was not present at Monday's meeting.

Mall merchants lodged no complaints of the arcade operation but expressed concern that expanded hours could lead to problems. Most mall stores close at 9 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The enclosed hall has a common hallway and merchants fear their places could be subject to vandalism or burglary.

The new mall hours took place officially on Wednesday, Nov. 3 when store owners received notice from the Forest Lake Associates, the owner of Northland Mall. The Little Canada based corporation extended the mall closing time to midnight on Friday and Saturday and moved the weeknight closing time from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday hours were not changed.

Mall merchants were given notice of the change and told that each store could also stay open longer should it choose to do so. Johnson's Super Valu, one of two major tenants in the store, now maintains 24 hour operation.

THE MOVE to allow expanded hours was necessary to give Beanie's Arcade a chance to compete in the Forest Lake market, said Richard Schreier, president of Forest Lake Associates.

Beanie's Arcade is owned by Gene Winstead, Bloomington, and managed here by Dan Galvin. The license is in Winstead's name.

"He (Winstead) feels he has to be open after 9 p.m.," Schreier told the Times. "I feel it's strictly a private matter."

Schreier indicated that in today's tough economy it was his obligation to keep the mall on a profitable footing. By expanding mall hours the arcade would be allowed to operate more efficiently, Schreier said.

SINCE THERE were no past problems, he said, the new hours should not be criticized. Arcade plans to use police protection during the expanded operation should ease worry, Schreier said.

City Council talk this week extended sympathy to mall merchants but nothing in the way (of) action. When the arcade opened earlier this year Council rejected a request to allow the arcade to be open to midnight. Councilman Gary Moen expressed favor with forcing the arcade to keep the hours that were in place when Council approved the license. Councilmen Donald Worth and David Winnick looked at it differently. Both considered it a private matter.

"I'm not saying he's right (in changing the hours)," Winnick said. "I don't know where we come into it."

WORTH SAID Council should get involved only if problems are present. "If it gets wrong then we should go after it," he said.

Mayor John F. Skoglund agreed the mall hours were changed for the arcade's purpose. He felt the City had some obligation to guard against potential problems.

Merchant comments on Monday centered on the potential problems that might develop. "He's got a good clientele now," said Stan Johnson of Super Valu. "We've had no problems with him. I think that would change is he stays open to midnight."

Merchants agreed that the type of arcade visitor could change by staying open later.

BEANIE'S ARCADE did have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 30. A 10 p.m. closing was approved by the Northland Mall Merchants Association. The arcade used a police officer for that evening until midnight, Johnson said. One incident of an obscenity written on one store window was reported, Johnson said.

Council is not likely to have heard the last of this topic. If problems do form, Council action could require police officers to be on hand. A report on problems from Chief of Police David Schwartz would be necessary.

City Attorney John W. Jergens advised Council on Monday it would (not) be wise to take action with the arcade not given a chance to respond. Jergens said Council must also decide how much involvement the city should have on privately owned property well off a public road, US-61.

The subject could also come up again in January when Council must renew license. The arcade license sells for $100 while each machine is licensed at $25.

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

Business profile from March 24th 1983 - enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• WHOLESOME fun!
• Dan isn't quitting his day job
• Looks like a year later they had to compromise on 11 p.m.

Thursday, November 24, 1983

Beanie's Arcade looks for clean family fun

A clean, wholesome, family atmosphere, that's what the owners of Beanie's Arcade say they strive for.

And since the business opened last May in Northland Mall, the business objective is being met. The arcade is owned by Gene Winstead and Co., Bloomington.

Manager Dan Newby, 28, Centuria, WI, is a big reason behind the sound operation of Beanie's Arcade. He runs a tight ship with arcade and mall rules followed very closely.

ALL THE games an adult or youth would want to play can be found at the arcade. Seventeen video games, two pinballs, two pool tables and a small carousel for the small kids are included.

"We definitely want to keep a wholesome atmosphere," Newby said. "That's what we strive for."

The arcade is being promoted to the fullest. Promotions are on-going each month. Hours and promotions are designed to meet the schedules of area schools. Family nights and other special promotions have the intent of bringing players of all ages to the arcade.

Newby is assisted by four part-time workers at Beanie's.

THE WISCONSIN native has sold life insurance and worked as an electrician. He continues to drive school bus in the Centuria area.

"Between my management and electrical experiences, I fit the job here pretty well," Newby said. Newby is in charge of all machine repairs and it is here he puts his knowledge of electronics to work.

The arcade is open 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on school nights. Friday and Saturday hours sare 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

Here's a coupon and a closeup of the logo:

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

My hope is to be able to track down Dan Newby and see if he would be up to answer some questions. Would love to do a short interview with him. PM me if you have some advice on how best to find and approach these folks forty years later

 

[famicom]

My hope is to be able to track down Dan Newby and see if he would be up to answer some questions. Would love to do a short interview with him. PM me if you have some advice on how best to find and approach these folks forty years later

If the articles are accurate, he would be born in 1954 or 1955 I believe.

Best result is a resident of Saint Croix Falls, WI who operated a portrait photo business there around 10 years ago.

Falls Photo | BBB Business Profile | Better Business Bureau

Not BBB Accredited. Portrait Photographers in Saint Croix Falls, WI. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, and more.

www.bbb.org

EDIT: looks like they are still in business…

Contact us

Contact us

fallsphoto.net

 

[KazooBR]

oh, I love a good mystery being solved. You gotta let us know if that's the guy!

 

[famicom]

Is this the arcade?



EDIT: Never mind…that's Beanie's Arcade in Bloomington, MN

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

If the articles are accurate, he would be born in 1954 or 1955 I believe.

Best result is a resident of Saint Croix Falls, WI who operated a portrait photo business there around 10 years ago.

Falls Photo | BBB Business Profile | Better Business Bureau

Not BBB Accredited. Portrait Photographers in Saint Croix Falls, WI. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, and more.

www.bbb.org

EDIT: looks like they are still in business…

Contact us

Contact us

fallsphoto.net

So great - thanks for this!

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

Is this the arcade?

View attachment 650763

EDIT: Never mind…that's Beanie's Arcade in Bloomington, MN

This is the same company/business - different location - so cool!

 

[famicom]

So great - thanks for this!

No problem, but remember it might not be him.

 

[timerunner88]

Update?