I'm Back! and in the Arcade business!!

yoalpster

In Memoriam
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
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Location
Lawrence, Kansas
Hi all!

First off, I haven't really gone anywhere, but I've been busy as hell. Money was tight, then health issues have always been gnawing at me, but what I've been utilizing my time with is starting up an arcade with a buddy of mine.

For a few months now, he's been wanting to buy a place to open up a business, possibly a restaurant, but with classic games and a few gamniog tables for all ages. When the potential building fell through, up popped a small little answer to our prayers - and Doug snagged it. He couldn't do his food business out of it, but we could run the arcade there - and so it came to pass.

When I found out the opening date, I had to rush to get some of my games to public working capability - coin mechs & doors, backs, no main glitches, clean games. Most of my games have had power supplies or cap kit problems, so that is where my money & time have been - repairing the smallest to the largest things on these games that did work when I bought them. Doug's needed some love too, (a flyback on one, and mainly monitor work) and he had another friend with a basement full of games as well - James. Doug opened it up & does all the finances, while James & I "lease" our games to Doug. I have about 65% of rthe games int there, along with pins & air hockey. James has some gun shooter games like CarnEvil and P's Attack, which I'm trying to get my Beast Busters in there for some coin action.

Most people would think we would have a bad experience with the town, but thankfully, Doug's family has many o' business here in town "Is he part of the blahblah Shoemakers? Oh, ok!" Good family, good with the cops, mayor, neighbors and whoever else. If I opened it, I'd have to jump through a lot more loops, lemme tell you.

I couldn't have gotten this many games together working if it wasn't for 2 main KLOVer members here - I'm gonna shout out here and put this in the proper place. Blair aka Splattergatz has been a tremendous help in getting my stuff running. The man pours help out of him. He's a grewat guy that needs to get somew trspect here, especially if you meet him - These boards tend to make people not read each other well, unlike normal body language. Anyhoo, Thanks a bunch, Friend.
The other KLOVer I couldn't have done this without is my buddy Corey aka KSKID from out in bumfok Kansas. Great guy, always has some great deal when I'm broke ass broke, but will help you out if you need it. Just return the favor.:p (btw, I fucking hate the word KUDOS - it's a snack, people, not a compliment.)

Here's a news article about The arcade wherre my naem is not mentioned, and a link to the video from the local cable news channel which I have a 2 second face shot :D. Thanks to this forum who I thanked and mentioned in the interview, but hey didn't show. - You guys rock.

Tonganoxie Mirror front page article:
http://www.tonganoxiemirror.com/news/2009/oct/14/arcade-fever/

Local cable news article on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIUQSCBPvxk

Thanks again, guys. Please let me know what you think of the article & video.
Shawn aka yoalpster
 
That's awesome; nice to see an arcade open up with more classics than just a reunion machine. Looks like you are living many a forum member's dream!
 
Shawn, all I can say is its good to see another arcade opening its doors VS. closing them, and glad to finally see that all of your hard work paid off, really enjoyed reading the article and viewing the news clip. Looks like Keith was enjoying himself :). I'm sure I will come across some more arcade / pin deals in the near future and will give you a call when something else pops up, hopefully you will be expanding and will be able to fit the rest of your games in there, and don't worry will give you a GOOD DEAL !!!

Will look you up next time I'm down in that area, would like to come over and visit the arcade, will make sure I bring a couple rolls of quarters :p
 
LOL, I can totally relate to your situation with the garage full of old cars and games! My pole barn has three muscle cars including a 69 Camaro in about the same shape as yours and 7 arcade games. :)

Good luck on the biz!!
 
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