Video Game Documentary Series Searching for 1980s Arcade Owners

**amiller** · February-05-19, 10:19 AM

Hello All!

My name is Alexandra and I am a producer on a documentary series about the golden age of video games.

I am trying to get in touch with someone who owned an arcade in Detroit in the early 1980s.

Also, does anyone happen to know if any of those arcades still exist? I think most of them––if not all––closed, but it's possible someone knows something I don't!

Please don't hesitate to contact me on here with any information or email me at alexandra.miller@turner.com

Thank you!
Alexandra

**Jimaz** · February-05-19, 11:58 PM

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum comes immediately to mind.

An old DYes thread: Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum

**amiller** · February-06-19, 10:58 AM

Thank you!

**JBMcB** · February-07-19, 08:43 AM

Marvin's is probably the only old arcade left. It's still run by the same family. The original owner just passed away last year.

The big arcade on the east side was called Galaxy in Roseville. It was across the street from Macomb Mall on Gratiot Ave. It closed about 15 years ago, it's now a store called Precision Jewelers. I don't know who the owners were, but it's a place to start looking.

You could check with Big Toys Arcade, which is an arcade game retailer and repair shop in Sterling Heights. They might have some leads on information:
http://www.bigtoysarcade.com/

**amiller** · February-07-19, 10:12 AM

Oh thank you so much for this info. It's very helpful!!

**MarvelousMarvins** · March-07-19, 01:46 PM

Mario was the operating owner.
GREAT guy, kinda looked like Mario from Mario brothers.
He had a large necklace charm made of PacMan and always wore it as that was the first game he made $ with.
I last saw him a year or so after he closed the arcade, I went by his house to buy lots of prizes and stuff he had leftover in his garage from Galaxy Fun Center.

Originally Posted by JBMcB

Marvin's is probably the only old arcade left. It's still run by the same family. The original owner just passed away last year.

The big arcade on the east side was called Galaxy in Roseville. It was across the street from Macomb Mall on Gratiot Ave. It closed about 15 years ago, it's now a store called Precision Jewelers. I don't know who the owners were, but it's a place to start looking.

You could check with Big Toys Arcade, which is an arcade game retailer and repair shop in Sterling Heights. They might have some leads on information:
http://www.bigtoysarcade.com/

**black gold man** · February-08-19, 08:05 PM

**amiller** · February-15-19, 02:21 PM

Yes I've seen this! Unfortunately I think this was shot in the 90s although I havent been able to confirm. Thank you for posting!

**313WX** · February-26-19, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by black gold man

Wizzards was technically on the Warren side of 8 Mile, between Gratiot and Schoenherr.

**admin** · February-25-19, 09:40 AM

This thread has been moved by moderators from the Connections forum as it fitting of the better visibility of the Discuss Detroit forum.

**detroitsgwenivere** · February-25-19, 03:01 PM

My guy's mom ran Time Zone on 9 and John R for several years until it closed. Here's a thread about the place, it talks about several different arcades in the area:

https://www.detroityes.com/mb/showth...ack-in-the-day

**amiller** · February-26-19, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

My guy's mom ran Time Zone on 9 and John R for several years until it closed. Here's a thread about the place, it talks about several different arcades in the area:

https://www.detroityes.com/mb/showth...ack-in-the-day

Hey I just sent you a message and would love to connect!

**Dan Wesson** · February-26-19, 05:39 AM

https://m.facebook.com/pages/categor...indarts/posts/

This company in Mt pleasant has been around supplying machines all over for a longtime. Looks like they're selling their remaining machines.

**amiller** · February-26-19, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

https://m.facebook.com/pages/categor...indarts/posts/

This company in Mt pleasant has been around supplying machines all over for a longtime. Looks like they're selling their remaining machines.

Thanks for the tip!

**archfan** · February-27-19, 02:44 AM

Just a shot in the dark, but Tim Arnold, of Las Vegas' Pinball Museum was an arcade owner in Lansing and Ann Arbor from the 70s through 1990. He also collected games, so I'm sure he new many other arcade owners. He might be a good resource.

**Bham1982** · February-27-19, 09:43 AM

The Starbucks next to the main Beaumont [[13 & Woodward) was an arcade until maybe 15 or so years ago.

**JBMcB** · February-27-19, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

The Starbucks next to the main Beaumont [[13 & Woodward) was an arcade until maybe 15 or so years ago.

Was that the old/now Fried Chicken Starbucks building, or the new Starbucks down by Coolidge?

**Bham1982** · February-27-19, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

Was that the old/now Fried Chicken Starbucks building, or the new Starbucks down by Coolidge?

Oops, maybe it moved? I never drive by there anymore.

There was a Starbucks on the NW corner of Woodward/13, across from Beaumont. It was previously an arcade, for maybe a 20 year run.

**Towne Cluber** · February-27-19, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

Oops, maybe it moved? I never drive by there anymore.

There was a Starbucks on the NW corner of Woodward/13, across from Beaumont. It was previously an arcade, for maybe a 20 year run.

You claim to live in the 14 Mile and Woodward area yet you never drive by 13 Mile and Woodward???

**Bham1982** · February-27-19, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Towne Cluber

You claim to live in the 14 Mile and Woodward area yet you never drive by 13 Mile and Woodward???

That is correct. I rarely travel right around Beaumont.

Bizarre question, though. Seek help, seriously.

**dtowncitylover** · February-28-19, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Towne Cluber

You claim to live in the 14 Mile and Woodward area yet you never drive by 13 Mile and Woodward???

Seriously.

I can't tell if this guy travels all over and knows everything or if he is a 100% Grade-A bullshitter, which kinda deserves some respect for how much he's stuck with it.

**Bham1982** · February-27-19, 02:09 PM

OK, I just looked on Streetview. The Starbucks is now Gus' Fried Chicken.

The same building had the arcade. Had some space-themed name [[I think).

**MarvelousMarvins** · March-07-19, 01:52 PM

That was the Space Station. It was owned by the Karcho family, they are still in the area and I talk to them on occasion. Manuel Karcho also is the owner of the famed Silver Bullet from Woodward Drag Racing.

Tim Arnold owned Pinball Pete’s with his brothers and is a legend in the industry. Wealth of knowledge a but eccentric. Lives in Vegas as others have said and has been on a couple History channel shows.

Originally Posted by Bham1982

The Starbucks next to the main Beaumont [[13 & Woodward) was an arcade until maybe 15 or so years ago.

**Warrenite84** · February-27-19, 07:24 PM

The Simulation Station was in Oakland Mall back in the early 80's with BattleZone, Dragon's Lair, Tempest.

The Butterfly Suite was at or next to the old Van Dyke Drive-in and had put put golf and a driving range.

**amiller** · February-28-19, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Warrenite84

The Simulation Station was in Oakland Mall back in the early 80's with BattleZone, Dragon's Lair, Tempest.

The Butterfly Suite was at or next to the old Van Dyke Drive-in and had put put golf and a driving range.

Great thank you!!