Veteran arcade owner and Intercard sales rep Todd DeMott recently held a community food drive at his Go Play Retro on the Jersey Shore. More than 50 donors received vouchers for 30 minutes of free gameplay when the arcade reopens. The Belmar, N.J., business collected non-perishable food and household supplies for Lunch Break, a local food pantry. “This is something lots of operators can do,” DeMott said. “It benefits a great cause and it’s great community relations. It also gives donors a sweet incentive to come back to your arcade after the COVID-19 shutdown ends.”
Author: Matt Harding
Bob Snyder and Associates, specialists in regulatory matters of game operations, recently announced Andrea Miller joined the firm as a principal attorney, addressing issues in entertainment and game regulations. “We are excited to tap into Andrea’s enthusiasm and remarkable career in local government to better serve our clients,” said Bob Snyder, the company’s president. “Andrea has represented public agency clients, with more than 25 years as a local government executive that includes managing police, code compliance and administering regulations in business licensing and zoning.” Visit www.bobsnyderandassociates.com for more information.
Some Minnesota bar and restaurant owners are disappointed at the state’s updated business restrictions. According to the Mankato Free Press, Gov. Tim Walz announced that eating and drinking establishments can reopen June 1 with outdoor seating only. “I was hoping the governor would say at least 50% capacity (for indoor dining areas),” said Najwa Massad, whose family runs two restaurants in Mankato. Outdoor seating doesn’t offer any help to their restaurants, considering they don’t have any. Massad also happens to be in her first term as the city’s mayor, and said she’s conflicted about the response to the pandemic, weighing…
NPR reports that Orange County, Fla., officials have approved plans for Universal Studios, the Island of Adventure and Volcano Bay to unlock their gates for guests on June 5. Around a dozen other attractions in the Orlando area have also gotten reopening approval, including an even earlier June 1 date for Winter Haven’s Legoland. (Final approval is up to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who wants to inspect the parks’ plans for keeping guests and employees protected from the virus beforehand.) Both Legoland and Universal’s various attractions will take all guest temperatures when they arrive (anyone with over a 100.4 temp won’t…
After more than three decades in business, Riverview Recreation in Battle Creek, Mich., is officially closed. The 80-acre property that included a go-kart track, classic arcade and more entertainment was sold last fall, now former owners Jeff and Judy Heppler told the Battle Creek Enquirer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and it’s unclear what the unknown buyer will do with the property. Judy Heppler said it closed “because the economy has changed and what people do with their entertainment dollar has changed.” However, the couple owns nearby Hit’Em Here, which features a golf driving range, a 9-hole mini-golf…
With business once again underway at Toy Factory, the company said it’s “here to help our customers in every way possible,” including 2020 plans to run monthly promotions and more. Currently, they’re offering a Video Game Plush Special that runs through the end of June for all RePlay subscribers, which includes a 10% discount on the popular licenses Minecraft, Halo and Angry Birds when you buy all three. They also promoting their new “Scoob!” movie plush series at a discounted price. The goal of the promotions is to provide customers with special incentives as they begin to reopen their businesses.…
As businesses begin to reopen with new protocols and standards, cashless payment system provider Sacoa said it wants to be there for customers – sharing available resources to get them back on their feet and providing solutions that continue to minimize physical contact. Player cards, they say, helps to do that by allowing purchases of credits, time recharges and more to the card (or through the Sacoa Pay App). Said U.S. CEO Sebastian Mochkovsky, “You have to maximize all online actions to minimize risks of contagion.” Since April, Sacoa has been offering free webinars to their customers – in English,…
The Ohio Coin Machine Assn. is suing Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration over its coronavirus restrictions that ban Ohioans from using coin-op machines in bars, restaurants and elsewhere, but allows play on the state’s lottery kiosks in bars. According to Cleveland.com, the lawsuit filed in Lake County Common Pleas Court on May 21 accuses Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton and other state officials of exceeding their legal authority under a state emergency health order law. “Our clients’ constitutional rights were violated,” said Orville Reed, an Akron attorney representing the OCMA. “They’re pretty upset.” The lawsuit reads, in part:…
Arcades, bowling alleys, theaters and other entertainment venues in the state of Alabama will be able to open at 5 p.m. today, May 22, as part of an amended “Safer at Home” policy that seeks to find balance, said Gov. Kay Ivey in a press conference yesterday. This news comes as the COVID-19 case count is rising in the state, especially in the capital city of Montgomery. “While maintaining focus on our personal health, it is now time that we will also focus on our economic health,” Gov. Ivey said. “This, too, will be a thoughtful, methodical process.” While she…
WCNC Charlotte says North Carolina has entered its second phase of relaxing coronavirus shutdowns starting today, May 22. However, the new order, which is expected to last at least five weeks, still leaves arcades, bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters and other such venues closed. Restaurants, meanwhile, are opening at 50% dine-in capacity with social distancing and cleaning requirements. Personal care businesses like salons and barbershops will require the same, as well as mandating all employees at those venues to wear masks. Pools and childcare facilities are among the other locations that can reopen in some capacity. “The increase in COVID-19…