Go Play – Retro Arcade in Belmar, N.J., was hit especially hard by a 4-month COVID-19 closure, and the former owners of the place put up a GoFundMe to help the arcade survive.
Risa Halprin-Nardone, the former owner who organized the fundraiser, said, “Almost 6 years ago my husband and I opened our dream arcade. The very first day that we opened a young man, Todd Demott, came in and said this was his dream. … Over the years Todd became a close friend. It made us so happy when we decided to sell it that Todd and his wife, Sara, would buy it.”
They handed over the keys in February, just a month before the shutdown. Todd and Sara spent two weeks doing some renovations; two weeks later, they were closed. According to Halprin-Nardone and the Go Play – Retro Arcade Facebook page, Todd and Sara were unable to get government loans or grants because they’re new owners. Learn more about the business at www.belmargoplay.com.