Game Show Pinball Arcade
Summary
Game Show Pinball Arcade will bring classic pinball and arcade gaming to Downtown Joliet. Focused on pinball, Game Show will provide an attraction to Downtown Joliet while promoting and preserving the history and future of pinball. Customers will be able to see and play on a historical evolution of pinball games, many of which are locally made products of the region.
Background
Pinball has given way over the past 2 decades to the multi-billion dollar video gaming industry. Nevertheless, there is a resurgence of ardent players, collectors, and a growing number of pinball leagues. Game Show will support the resurgence of pinball and Downtown Joliet. Game Show Pinball Arcade will be open to all ages and cater to longtime pinheads (as pinball enthusiasts are known) as well as a new generation of players.
A piece of Americana that hails from Chicagoland
If pinball has an epicenter in the world, it is the Chicago region. All of the big names in pinball since the Great Depression (e.g. Bally, Gottlieb, Williams, etc.) all hailed from the Chicago area.
98% of the 554 top-rated pinball machines were built in the Chicago area (Internet Pinball Database).
The current major manufacturer of pinball, Stern Pinball, continues to manufacture games out of suburban Chicago in Melrose Park.
Some of the top players in the world live right here in the Chicago area.
The youngest Top 25 ranked player in the world is 16 years old and hails from the Joliet area (Plainfield, IL)
Current Growth and Climate
Simply put, pinball is on a tear! A few current statistics:
The International Flipper Pinball Association has 38 leagues, mostly in the US but also as far as Germany, Spain, and Japan. Located in Palatine, IL membership has grown from 500 in 2006 to 17,000, one third of which have come in the last 2 years.
Worldwide sales of new pinball machines leaped to an estimated $20 Million in 2007 from $500,000 in 1994, according to BMI Gaming (consulting firm).
Worldwide tournaments have grown from around 50 in 2006 to 450 in 2012.
Three pinball arcades/barcades have opened in the City of Chicago in the past year and a half: Emporium (Wicker Park) Headquarters (Lakeview) Logan Hardware (Logan Square)
Non-barcades have also been successful. A great example is Main Street Amusements in Lafayette, IN. This pinball-focused arcade opened in downtown Lafayette, and has several things in common with Joliet, mainly being it is the county seat, and has a similar sized downtown. It features over 30 pinball machines from all eras, and a few video arcade games. Other no frills arcade examples include:
Pinball Wizard Arcade (Pelham, NH) Modern Pinball (Manhattan, NYC) Pinball Hall of Fame (Las Vegas, NV) Free Gold Watch (San Francisco, CA)
Game Show Pinball Arcade
Game Show will provide an entertainment option that people of all ages can enjoy, and provides a family friendly reason to head to Downtown Joliet.
Pinball enthusiasts will likely patronize other downtown businesses as they travel to the arcade as a local destination for enjoying their hobby.
The Games:
Game show will be located at 215 N. Chicago St in Downtown Joliet (just north of the former Department restaurant) and will operate a variety of games with a focus on pinball. The current mix at start up is as follows:
20-25 Pinball machines in rotation of various vintages 5 Video arcade machines. 1 Electromechanical driving arcade machine (precursor to arcade driving games) 1 foosball table, 1 air hockey table, 1 cold drink and 1 snack vending machine.
Hours of Operation
Initially, Fridays and Saturdays from 3 PM - midnight Expansion of hours based on demand...possibly expand to Tuesday-Thursday, 3 PM - 10 PM Sensitive to local events and activities. Hours could be increased on holiday weekends or when major events are taking place (at MoJoe's, Rialto, etc.) Could expand machines based on demand (e.g. pool table, other types of games) Can begin holding tournaments to generate additional visitor traffic to Downtown Joliet
Future Expansion Potential In addition to creating an immediate entertainment option Downtown, we will be collecting data and assessing the potential for a grand scale family entertainment center in Downtown Joliet. This is still in feasibility studies by the building management (The Steelmen Group, which also owns 9 W Cass St). We have held discussions with entrepreneurs in the restaurant and entertainment industries. Options discussed include a restaurant with local/craft beers, expanded gaming, laser tag, and indoor miniature golf course. Game Show allows for a small scale rollout and interaction with customers on what they want to see in Downtown Joliet.
Request
In one of the more dated sections of the Joliet municipal code, an annual fee of $50 is charged on amusement devices, which includes any “mechanical, electric or electronic amusement machine”….. including “pinball machines…shuffle alleys…shooting galleries, photographic galleries…”
We are seeking an 18 month waiver of amusement and vending device fees for machines listed above. This will remove a barrier to the startup of the arcade and allow for the conversion of a currently vacant storefront on Chicago St. into one more entertainment option for Downtown Joliet.