Kingsport, TN - What happened to Players?

Cubbie

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I know it has been gone a while but I used to go there all the time. I moved away to Nashville for a short time and it was gone when I got back.

Did it take on another form somewhere else or is it gone forever? Nobody I know has a clue. It was such a great place to drop some quarters and the machines were always working great whenever I was there.

Anyway, I thought this might be a good place to ask about it. Maybe the old owner is a member here?
 
As you already know, Players Fun and Games is gone. However, its certainly not forgotten. Players was owned by two business partners. Bob and Buddy. Due to certain issues with the mall supposedly being slated for demolition, they closed. Then later reopened when the mall was semi remodeled. Eventually, I think they did tear down part of the mall forcing them closed for good. Bob went on to become manager of a business incubator in south west VA until his death a few years later. During those years, Buddy had a great many of the games and assets stored in a couple of the areas of the business incubator. After Bob's passing, Buddy was eventually forced to clean out his areas. Sometime during all this, he continued to operate many games on route. One of those areas were a Theater. When the owner of the theater decided to sell out, he purchased it. He now owns 2 theaters and a Gatti's pizza in VA. All have games in them. And even the neon sign from Players Fun and Games still hangs in his multiscreen theater's game room. Just this year, he completed a party room at his other theater. He rents that out on occasion for various parties. Currently, he has about 19 pins in it and probably 7 or 8 arcade games and a few redemption pieces. When he had to remove his items from the incubator, he sold me his basket case Star Wars Cockpit w25" monitor and assault. He is a member on here, but he seldom posts. He can be seen most times at the arcade auctions in Kingsport with our local collecting club, "The Pinball Mafia". Buddy's a friend and fellow club member, and that's about as specific as I would want to get without him chiming in. A few auctions ago, he had a fairly bad experience with another KLOV member. I won't go into it, but the guy really needed an "ass whoopin." But Buddy's a fairly nice guy and I'm sure holds no ill will. He just doesn't post that much. Maybe he'll make an appearance when he sees this tread...
 
Oh wow. Thanks for the information. I didn't know the answer would be so involved, but I guess I should have. It definitely isn't my intention to stir up old drama, just curious what happened is all. I remember when Players temporarily closed and I celebrated the reopening by showing up with a couple pockets full of quarters.

From your description of Bob, I think I may have known him from my old job. I didn't know he had passed away. If we're talking about the same person he always seemed like a pretty good guy but I didn't really work directly with him.

Hopefully Buddy will show up here. It would be nice to talk to him. Hi Buddy, if you're reading this! :) It's good to know the games are still alive and kicking.
 
Its possible. But it depends. He worked as a repair man for either Montgomery Ward or Sears in the mall before he and buddy went into biz on players. After players, he opened a pizza place although, I can't recall were at the moment. I think it was either Rogersville or Kingsport. Then back to players and, then the business incubator. You can pm me for more details. I could probably get Buddy to email you if you really wanted to talk to him. I'm sure he would get a kick out of talking bout the good 'ol days. I'm sure he would send you a few pics of the various locals of players within the mall. My favorite was when it was landlocked in the mall next to Monty Ward. But it was totally huge when it was in there. And thick with classics. First time I saw it, I was in HS and saw Dragon's Lair 1, and II, and a slew of other great games. Later on it was down by the Hills. But he did still have a Cockpit Star Wars then. I think they may have had an arcade down there originally. But he had quite a few pics of it over the years.

From your description of Bob, I think I may have known him from my old job. I didn't know he had passed away. If we're talking about the same person he always seemed like a pretty good guy but I didn't really work directly with him.
 
Wow I just saw this after 12 years. Sure miss Bob and the Players days. Thanks Black Matrix for answering the question. Your friend got the upright Pole Position from Players. I need to call you soon. Also can't believe Futurama is back with new episodes.
 
Wow I just saw this after 12 years. Sure miss Bob and the Players days. Thanks Black Matrix for answering the question. Your friend got the upright Pole Position from Players. I need to call you soon. Also can't believe Futurama is back with new episodes.
I was looking up the name of that mall when I found this thread. So many good memories at Player's. Made an account to drop by and say hey, hope you're doing well
-Jacob
 
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