Hypothetically How Much To Start A Pinball Arcade?

[shutyertrap]

This is a primary reason why the Museum of Pinball in Banning is only open a few times a year. From this LA Times article: “It’s 45,000 square feet of pinball. Just to flip the electrical breakers, it costs a few thousand dollars.”

From what I understood, after buying the property they found out it was not zoned for a business that wanted to be open to the public daily. The 3 times a year they are open is because that’s all they are allowed.

 

[Wapcaplet]

From what I understood, after buying the property they found out it was not zoned for a business that wanted to be open to the public daily. The 3 times a year they are open is because that’s all they are allowed.

That's what I seem to recall reading at one point, too, but the cost of electricity is the reason the Weeks keep giving in interviews. I can't seen to find anything online about zoning issues. Here's another article that says the same thing about their electric bill:

But, that electricity costs a lot of money. Banning has its own power company and Weeks’ son, Johnathan, said Banning has allowed them to negotiate fees for special events. But the cost just to turn on the juice needed for the machines, he said, is $1,500.
That’s the main reason the Weeks family won’t open the museum to the general public on a regular basis. Located off the beaten path, they figure they might get just 30 or 40 people a day.

It does make sense when you think about it. Would be nice it if were open every other month instead of 3 times a year (though spending a day there in the summer doesn't sound very appealing -- even in October it feels a bit warm in there!).

 

[wolfson]

how about a brothel , only electricity would be for the beer fridge and you could use candles for lighting , oops I forgot it`s illegal for a brothel in the USA , bad luck .

 

[EldarOfSuburbia]

how about a brothel , only electricity would be for the beer fridge and you could use candles for lighting , oops I forgot it`s illegal for a brothel in the USA , bad luck .

It's legal in Nevada!

 

[wolfson]

thanks Eldar

 

[Fungi]

It's legal in Nevada!

Damn. I need to move to NV.

 

[shutyertrap]

That's what I seem to recall reading at one point, too, but the cost of electricity is the reason the Weeks keep giving in interviews. I can't seen to find anything online about zoning issues. Here's another article that says the same thing about their electric bill:


It does make sense when you think about it. Would be nice it if were open every other month instead of 3 times a year (though spending a day there in the summer doesn't sound very appealing -- even in October it feels a bit warm in there!).

They had all these plans for people to be able to camp at the site, as there are motorhome hookups available. I’d be happy if they opened 4 times a year, spread out. Two of the times are only a month apart, which is why I only went to the one.

 

[wilbers]

I swear I am in no way serious about doing this...

But

Sounds exactly like one of the bits they used to have on Top Gear that began "How hard can it be?".

Still, location CHECK, rent CHECK, head full of ideas CHECK, electricity costs HOW MUCH?

If you are going further down this theoretical rabbit hole, has anyone done a rough calculation of electricity usage of pinball machines from different eras - also how big a difference is there with original 90s machines and those that have been retrofitted with LEDs. Then you would be into the realm of estimating what % it would be on attract mode, and what % it was being actively played.

 

[shutyertrap]

Sounds exactly like one of the bits they used to have on Top Gear that began "How hard can it be?".

Still, location CHECK, rent CHECK, head full of ideas CHECK, electricity costs HOW MUCH?

If you are going further down this theoretical rabbit hole, has anyone done a rough calculation of electricity usage of pinball machines from different eras - also how big a difference is there with original 90s machines and those that have been retrofitted with LEDs. Then you would be into the realm of estimating what % it would be on attract mode, and what % it was being actively played.

I never watched Top Gear, but I do watch The Grand Tour, so I’m familiar with that sort of bit. I should set up an interview with the person that runs this pinball arcade somewhat near me I’ve been meaning to check out. Then I could just ask him all these hypotheticals and have my answers!

 

[wilbers]

One of the most memorable episodes https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6qt2l3

Think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJdrlWR-yFM is the oddest one they ever did - taken an unusual idea to its illogical conclusion! Sort of conversation that would happen in a pub but instead of it ending with that would never work they actually did it.

 

[shutyertrap]

Oop, just looked it up and the place I’m was thinking of is a barcade featuring craft beers. No help on the hypothetical!

 

[Gorgias32]

I like the idea of wiring up at least some of the machines for streaming - having that gear configured and stable and in place could make it a destination for people who want to stream/record their competitions or record video tutorials. It would definitely be a unique feature, and I could see it being very attractive for leagues and organizations running competitive events.

My vote is that you go ahead and do it - quit your job and open "Shut Your Traps's Pinball Arcade". You could even sell your house and move your family into living in the basement of the arcade, in order to pay for the machines, liquor license, and the first month's electric bill.

 

[shutyertrap]

I like the idea of wiring up at least some of the machines for streaming - having that gear configured and stable and in place could make it a destination for people who want to stream/record their competitions or record video tutorials. It would definitely be a unique feature, and I could see it being very attractive for leagues and organizations running competitive events.

My vote is that you go ahead and do it - quit your job and open "Shut Your Traps's Pinball Arcade". You could even sell your house and move your family into living in the basement of the arcade, in order to pay for the machines, liquor license, and the first month's electric bill.

Haha, basement. Not a SoCal feature. Earthquakes, ya know?

Also, it’d be the BlahCade Pinball Palace. Or Emporium. Parlor? Whatever. Do up our logo in neon, have a pair of giant flippers on either side of the entry, movie poster frames in the window advertising featured pins. Crowd of surly teens hanging out in the parking lot. I can see it all so vividly!

 

[wilbers]

A world of pure imagination?

 

[wilbers]

Lordy, mobile pinball doesn't just mean smartphones.

https://www.pinballpartybus.com/our-bus

Also just occurred to me what it would be called if the machines were set to free play. You hear of it all the time, people doing what their name sounds like.

 

[Citizen]

I thought mobile pinball just meant playing on a cement floor.

 

[ZREXMike2]

Oop, just looked it up and the place I’m was thinking of is a barcade featuring craft beers. No help on the hypothetical!

nope, nobody sloshing booze on my 10k pinball machines

 

[wolfson]

ZREXMike come on bro , courtyard with these lovely American beer chairs , well away from the pinnies !!!

 

[MBeeching]

Missed this topic but thoroughly enjoyed the discussion on the latest Podcast, great to hear others share these thoughts, hopes and shattered dreams. My ambitions would also feature craft beers, an area where I do at least have some experience and useful connections. May as well include pizza for good measure!

 

[wilbers]

Another one gone beyond the hypothetical into the actual and opened 2 weeks ago. https://www.retroarcade.co/ Much more arcade machines than pinball, and includes a licensed bar.