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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: RayB on July 07, 2008, 12:38:04 am

Title: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: RayB on July 07, 2008, 12:38:04 am
A lengthy article covers the impending closure of Funland (the last remaining arcade in downtown Toronto) as well as touching on a bit of arcade history:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/453843

Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: danny_galaga on July 07, 2008, 06:33:12 am

 :o

"We brought in more than $3,000 a week for one machine, so Atari told us we had the highest-earning Gauntlet cabinet in the world,"

46 years is a damn good innings. sad though...
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: Level42 on July 07, 2008, 07:37:54 am
Very sad. But if I lived around there, I'd be sure to get to that auction :) Looks like they still have a good number of classics....


On second look, the machines don't seem very well maintained. And how about that floor ? Did they ever re-decorate in that 46 years ? Sometimes business go under because they don't innovate.

I see good healthy arcades here that have invested in a decent and family friendly look.
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: CheffoJeffo on July 07, 2008, 08:29:34 am
Very sad. But if I lived around there, I'd be sure to get to that auction :) Looks like they still have a good number of classics....

I do live around there and the machines have already been sold ... no auction.

 :'(

And, yep, Funland was a total pit.
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: RayB on July 07, 2008, 06:19:32 pm
On second look, the machines don't seem very well maintained. And how about that floor ? Did they ever re-decorate in that 46 years ? Sometimes business go under because they don't innovate.

I see good healthy arcades here that have invested in a decent and family friendly look.
They lasted as long as they did because they owned the building. It says a lot when it's more profitable to just charge a store rent to be there than it is to run an arcade. That tipping point finally came.
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: Ummon on July 08, 2008, 10:13:20 pm

I see good healthy arcades here that have invested in a decent and family friendly look.

Europe is host to a certain kind of retro element. Notice you still have mega discotecs, metal is still a 'scene', lots of people still smoke...etc.
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: RayB on July 09, 2008, 02:14:56 pm

I see good healthy arcades here that have invested in a decent and family friendly look.

Europe is host to a certain kind of retro element. Notice you still have mega discotecs, metal is still a 'scene', lots of people still smoke...etc.
Sounds like you're describing eastern europe and russia.   :P
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: ark_ader on July 14, 2008, 08:37:39 pm

I see good healthy arcades here that have invested in a decent and family friendly look.

Europe is host to a certain kind of retro element. Notice you still have mega discotecs, metal is still a 'scene', lots of people still smoke...etc.
Sounds like you're describing eastern europe and russia.   :P


 :laugh2:
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: CheffoJeffo on July 15, 2008, 05:57:43 pm
FWIW, it looks like the lack of auction may have been premature ... but nobody really seems to know.

Guess I'll be going to the August auction.
Title: Re: Toronto's Funland Arcade closing in 2 weeks
Post by: Level42 on July 16, 2008, 07:02:32 am

I see good healthy arcades here that have invested in a decent and family friendly look.

Europe is host to a certain kind of retro element. Notice you still have mega discotecs, metal is still a 'scene', lots of people still smoke...etc.
What part of Europe have you seen ?