A 14,800-sq.-ft. FEC called Fennec’s Place should open later this year in North Haven, Connecticut, The Connecticut Scoop reported. The venue will occupy a former Rite Aid space and is expected to offer a range of attractions – from a soft play area and climbing structures to bumper cars, arcade games and party rooms. Fennec’s Place will also have a full-service café and restaurant.
Author: Matt Harding
A new Launch Family Entertainment location in Arlington, Texas, is slated to open on May 1, the company reported. “We’re thrilled to introduce Launch Entertainment to Arlington and bring families a destination where fun and connection come together,” said CEO Craig Erlich. “Our mission has always been to create experiences that strengthen communities, and this new park represents exactly that. It’s a place where families can celebrate, play, and make new memories.” Hemanth Kumar, the president of Zion Capital Management, is leading the Arlington location alongside partners Eesha Kumar, Karthik Krishnamoorthy and Daiva Polimetla. If you’re thinking about getting a…
A “pinball speakeasy” in Red Bank, New Jersey, opened on April 15, according to a press release. It was opened by enthusiasts Brian Klatsky and Ed Haran. “For more than 25 years I’ve collected pinball machines and searched for a venue that truly captured the magic of the game,” Klatsky said. “Unable to find it, we created Under the Glass. We’re proud to bring a premier pinball lounge to the Jersey Shore and believe the modern pinball renaissance is arriving – and we want to grow it together right here.” A highlight of the venue is the “Jersey Jack’s Cellar,”…
Episode 10 of the RePlay Podcast has arrived and it features Glenn Streeter, the former owner of Rock-Ola Manufacturing and Antique Apparatus who spent some 45 years in the industry. He got his start by selling antique radios and still collects them. In fact, during the podcast, he showed off an Atwater Kent breadboard from 1923 while chatting with our podcast host Randy Chilton. He also told a story about Freddie Mercury coming into his shop with Roger Taylor. The Queen legends each bought a jukebox and signed an Antique Apparatus apron that has dozens of celeb autographs. Freddie got…
A Rhodes Scholar with a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, the impressively credentialed Elliott Portnoy is a new entrant into the Amusement Expo Hall of Fame. Portnoy is the founding CEO of Dentons, where he led the creation of the world’s largest law firm, combining more than 60 firms across 82 countries with over 20,000 professionals. AAMA was his first client when he began practicing law in the early 1990s. “His efforts spanned legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill, political engagement at the federal and state level, and precedent-setting litigation,” explained AAMA’s Executive…
With decades in the amusement industry, Frank Pellegrini was posthumously inducted into the Amusement Industry Hall of Fame at the recent Amusement Expo. He was fresh out of college when he started working in sales for Bally Midwest, while simultaneously beginning his first business venture. Pellegrini owned and operated three video arcades. It was this experience and insight that led him to invent and patent the use of debit card systems in video arcades. Pellegrini also worked with Konami, where he was involved with some of the company’s most successful arcade games. He traveled to Japan to supervise their engineering teams…
The GTI Southeast Asia Expo will be April 21-23 at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Click here if you’re in the region and would like to register. “Malaysia is becoming a hot market for the global IP industry, with IP-related demands being fully realized, from theme parks to retail experiences, from content consumption to derivative product development,” organizers explained. “International IPs are rapidly being implemented. In January 2026, a Disney IP pop-up event was held at LaLaport BBCC in Kuala Lumpur, immediately becoming internet-famous destination among local fans. Legoland Malaysia is also comprehensively upgrading its operational capabilities…
Sacoa Cashless System recently announced the installation of their full cashless ecosystem at Radical Play Park, one of Brazil’s newest outdoor amusement destinations. It’s the first dry park in the city of Olímpia, a tourism hub known for its major water parks. It offers 17 attractions, including a Ferris wheel, children’s roller coaster and other rides for all ages. For its part, Sacoa deployed their Spark card readers, POS system, self-service kiosks, CRM tools, the Sacoa App and their Online Sales Module.
The batting cages at the Wahooz Family Fun Zone in Meridian, Idaho, are now gone. In their place will be a massive expansion – Nitroz High Speed Racing. Yahoo! News reports that the 14-month project will start in July and open in fall 2027, boasting two high-performance racetracks, a junior track and event space. There will be 72 high-speed electric go-karts, topping out at 40 mph. “Performance-style kart racing has been growing globally,” said CEO Pat Morandi. “Now, Wahooz is bringing that elevated experience to Idaho. Nitroz will give families, thrill-seekers and serious drivers their own tailored racing experience. Stay…
If you were inspired by the speakers and panelists at this year’s Amusement Expo, why not apply to be a speaker at the 2027 event? The call is now open. Click here to apply. Organizers seek “operators, route professionals, manufacturers, tech innovators and leaders from every segment of our industry to deliver practical, future-focused content.” From field-tested strategies and lessons learned to new industry insights, the show wants to hear your voice. In-demand topics they’re looking for include AI for operators, staffing and Gen Z talent, cybersecurity, revenue strategies, XR and immersive tech, finance, tariffs and others. The deadline for…