After a “great deal of effort to keep minimal operations going,” the Texas-based Pinballz recently decided to temporarily close its doors. They are keeping their web store live to accept contributions to their Employee Relief Fund, which you can learn more about here. The business is also providing additional support including meals and extended COBRA coverage for employees who were laid off this past week. Pinballz also said they are renting out games for home use, and have a skeleton crew working on those temporary installs. Learn more at www.pinballzarcade.com and follow them on social media for up-to-date details.
Author: Matt Harding
Alpha-Omega Amusements has temporarily closed its corporate office in accordance with New Jersey guidelines closing “non-essential” businesses. The company said it will “continue to provide support through this closure via remote contact. They can be reached at 800-253-4045 or [email protected].
All taverns, pubs and clubs have been closed in the Canadian province of British Columbia until further notice and Peter Jones of The Ragman Billiards Ltd. reports they didn’t get to finish their pool league or have their tournament. “I’ve been in the industry 46 years and have never seen anything like this,” he said.
QuarterWorld, an arcade in Portland, Ore., decided to get creative after shutting down its operation last week before a mandatory 4-week shutdown of all bars and restaurants in the state. According to Oregon Live, the arcade, which also has a supply and service route, is now taking home rental orders to supplant their lost business. Month-long rentals, with delivery and installation included, range from $100 to $350. You can take home your own Big Buck World for $200 a month and Doctor Mario for only $175. The business keeps an updated list of games available on its Facebook page.
In a joint letter to Congressional leadership, the amusement industry associations AAMA and AMOA requested the government “do more to open lines of liquidity” so small businesses “can meet payroll until the virus is no longer a threat.” “The crisis is very real. We are feeling it now. We want to keep our employees. Without a cash infusion, we cannot,” they wrote. “These loans, if quickly and thoughtfully administered, will be paid back. The alternative of collecting an unemployment check will not. “We know the cascading effects this will have on the economy, as pay stubs become unemployment checks. Previous…
Organizers of Bowl Expo 2020, set for July 2-6 in Denver, have cancelled the trade show portion of the event due to the coronavirus. As of now, the Bowling Proprietors’ Assn. of America will “continue to evaluate the annual meeting, networking and education portion of the show and will provide updates as necessary.” The association wrote, “BPAA invites you to participate in these networking events at the 2020 show. We believe this is the right thing to do. Fortunately, we did not have to make this decision alone, and are grateful to our Bowl Expo community for engaging with us…
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games has temporarily shut down its tracks in response to the coronavirus. They wrote, “In effort to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we have made the decision to temporarily close our locations brand wide.” At the end of March, they added, they will “evaluate state and federal regulations and determine when to reopen locations in each community.” In the statement, they concluded: “Today we are tested not to show our weaknesses, but to discover our strengths. Continue to support your co-workers, family, friends and neighbors. In time we will all return to our daily routines…
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the globe, it also continues to impact the amusement industry. Here are some of the most recent closures and responses from businesses during these trying times. (Please visit our Instant RePlay page to see other recent news.) Coastal Amusements Manufacturer Coastal Amusements is suspending all business activity beginning today, March 20, according to the company, “in an effort to minimize the health concerns to our employees as well as the costs to the business.” They will evaluate the situation in the next two weeks. “It is our hope that we will be able…
Amid all the not-so-great coronavirus-related news, Laserforce sent RePlay some information we’re happy to report – the company’s Gen8 system was installed last week in New Zealand, another in Perth, Australia, this week, and two more installs are scheduled for next week in Melbourne. Three more are set to head to U.S. locations in April. “We have noticed that many global location owners are taking this opportunity to refresh their venues and keep pushing forward as best they can, knowing that we will emerge at the other end, ready to go and hopefully stronger,” said Jason Wallace, operations executive at…
AMOA’s new board of directors is now officially in place post-Amusement Expo, and consists of 1-year terms for its principal officers: President Greg Trent (Beyer & Brown), First Vice President Sam Westgate J&J Ventures, Treasurer Tim Zahn (American Amusement Arcade) and Secretary Luke Adams (Pioneer Vending). Joining them are the “Class of 2023” board members, consisting of eight operators and distributors from around the country: Ricky Baily (Bailey & Son Music Co.); Mark Cumming (ATM Merchant Services); John Farmer (Broadway Music); Ernie Jolly (Capital City Games & Music); Angel Portugues (All Brands Tampa Bay); Derek Sanders (DAS Variety Vending); Conrad…