In a graphic shared on Facebook, A&A Global Industries gave some advice to operators who’ve had locations ask them to remove machines because of COVID-19. Here’s A&A Global’s 4-step guide: 1- Be prepared: Make a 20-30-second “elevator speech” with reasons listed in this guide, ask questions and stay calm. 2- Engage your customer: Vending machines have been around for decades and are well used by your customers. They’re safe, exciting and fun to use. And they provide passive income, especially important in today’s struggling economy. 3- Vending makes “cents”: Machines have toys, novelties and confections, providing activities for children and…
Author: Matt Harding
Musée Mécanique, a historic arcade and game museum at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, is looking to raise $250,000 to keep the business afloat during its long-term closure. The arcade’s GoFundMe page said the family-owned collection has been in biz since 1933, and owner and fundraiser organizer Dan Zelinski noted, “It costs an average of $250,000 for us to break even every year, which is not including paying any of the employees. Being entirely hands on entertainment in a crowded arcade, we will be one of the last places allowed to reopen. With the inability to offer curbside pickup or online…
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s “Back on Track” plan to restart the economy allows for bowling alleys to reopen at 50% capacity for the first time since the shutdown in March. According to the South Bend Tribune, Strikes & Spares – a bowling entertainment center celebrating its 16th year in business this month – plans to offer a soft opening for essential workers and emergency responders this Sunday, June 14, and be open to the general public on June 17. “It’s not the way we thought we’d celebrate 16 years in business,” said owner Paulo Teixeria. “But we are very, very…
With a new “Play Smart, Play Safe” plan in place, Main Event is reopening all of its Texas locations beginning today, June 11, at the required 50% capacity restriction. According to KSAT, the new protocols include a dedicated “clean team” that are solely dedicated to cleaning the venue from top to bottom throughout the day. Facility staff are required to wear masks and will receive temperature checks prior to each shift. Social distancing markers will also be placed throughout the venues. Gloves will also be provided to guests who would like to use them. “Every piece of equipment will be…
With a goal of helping amusement centers and casinos meet new reopening regulations, SUZOHAPP has launched its Personal Protection line. The products include a “Temperature Control Access Gate” and the corresponding “Face-Detection Thermo-Sensor Module,” which allows operators to automate the temperature-taking process that’s becoming common at reopened facilities. “As temperature checking is now a common safety precaution in the U.S., SUZOHAPP believes this device will help facilities meet the requirement without being invasive and make the process entirely self-service without requiring staff to come in close contact with customers, thereby keeping them safe,” the company said. They also have a…
Two Punch Bowl Social locations – one in Denver and another in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Ill. – are permanently closing. Founder and CEO Robert Thompson said the closures come after he failed to reach new lease agreements with the landlord. While the 32,000-sq.-ft. entertainment center in Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood is closing, the original Denver Punch Bowl Social on South Broadway will be back, according to The Denver Post. All locations have been closed since March 15 due to the coronavirus. “When we re-open across the country, we will do so smartly and with partners who are in it…
Disneyland passholders were recently given a survey to gauge their feelings on potential COVID-19 health and safety protocols as the California theme park prepares to reopen – likely sometime in July though no date has been set. According to the Orange County Register, the passholders were asked questions about face masks, temperature check at park entrances and pre-arrival health questionnaires. In three main scenarios, the theme park noted plans to make operational changes at some level: Option 1 presented a scenario where visitors were encouraged but not required to wear face masks, for example; Option 2 required face masks for…
The massive all-ages indoor entertainment complex in Florida, Xtreme Action Park of Ft. Lauderdale, welcomed 250 guests on their grand reopening day, June 3. Broward County officials had given the go-ahead for go-karting, roller skating, as well as food and beverage after being forced to furlough more than 75% of employees during their 10-week closure. Park execs say they are working to bring back those employees, and have also been able to reopen their arcade, bowling, laser tag, VR games and more this week. “Xtreme Action Park is the largest indoor entertainment venue in South Florida employing over 200 members…
Location-based entertainment operators will find Kevin Williams’ most recent reopening support primer quite helpful, with information on necessary game room changes for all types of equipment. Found online here, the guide includes best practices to keep players safe and happy. Called “Operators Guide: Amusement Support Primer #3,” Williams discusses the basics of social distancing, having clear signage and infographics, and implementing extra cleaning protocols. He also details the need to ramp up cleanliness on game buttons and levers – things like wiping down basketballs, ensuring pinball playfield glass and plungers are not overlooked, and giving sanitization attention to handrails on…
Ohio’s amusement parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island are free to reopen on Friday, June 19, per Gov. Mike DeWine, but that doesn’t mean they will. Sources tell Cleveland.com that Kings Island may be open sooner, but Cedar Point is planning to reopen in early July. Richard Zimmerman, CEO of Cedar Fair, Cedar Point’s parent company, has said that the park needs 2-3 weeks to ready for reopening. “We will provide specific opening dates just as soon as we confirm details with the governor,” Zimmerman said last week. “More details about our safety measures and what to expect when…