The home and mobile gaming industry keeps growing, generating an estimated $184.4 billion in 2022, but to some, nothing beats that arcade feeling that, until recently, all but vanished from many small and medium-sized towns across the country. In Malvern, two shops are bringing the experience back with different takes on gaming.
Game Craz, which has operated for a year in the town of 10,000, has been a massive success and is about to open a second location, while The Last Quarter Arcade just opened its doors last month.
“We both have experience repairing and collecting pinball and arcade machines,” said Jason Lewis, who co-owns The Last Quarter with Brian Smith. “As people who grew up during the arcade era, we wanted to create a place for both younger and older people.”
The two say the community has given them nothing but positive feedback and that they look forward to becoming a “permanent stop on Main Street.”
The same can be said for Game Craz, which will open an even bigger arcade than its current shop on July 1. Moving from the building that used to be Young’s Pharmacy at 1304 S. Main St., its new location will occupy the space where Advance Auto Parts formerly operated at 1609 Martin Luther King Blvd. Coming exactly a year after the initial launch on July 1, 2023, Michael and DeAnna Bunata said they fell in love with the town when they moved in two years prior and saw a need for kids to have a safe hangout.
“So we took action and opened the arcade,” DeAnna said.
There is a $12 entry fee for an all-day pass, good for re-entry. The arcade offers classic arcade machines, a pool table, air hockey and foosball. They also have “redemption ticket games” that operate on quarters and are available at the arcade. Guests are also entitled to free popcorn while playing games. The spot has become a hit with locals as a place to rent for parties and get-togethers. They are open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
However, with the new location, the cover charge will drop from $12 to $5 per person. The free games will still be available, along with newer, updated games that can be played with game cards, meaning there will be no more quarters on most of the machines.
The Bunatas’ life isn’t all fun and games. They also hope to make an impact with their business.
“We strive to give back to the community as much as we can,” DeAnna said. “We do free entry with no failing grades on report cards. So, kids can get four free entries throughout the year. We have seen a lot of kids really improve grades to get those free entries.”
They also donate 10% of what the arcade earns on fundraiser days. They collect dog food and supplies for a local nonprofit animal shelter, and every Wednesday, they hold “Giveback Wednesday,” where guests who donate one non-perishable food item get $2 off entry.
Outside of the arcade, the two volunteer with the homeless coalition through their church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Michael is an insurance agent who has used his connections at the arcade to help people in that realm.
Across town at The Last Quarter, Lewis and Smith are using their space to help local entrepreneurs and vendors. Also charging $12 for entry, there are several local merchants to support inside, including KB’s Love by the Pound Baking and Catering and Bowman Games, which sells retro games, consoles, collectibles and more.
“With my game store, I try to cater to retro nostalgia,” said Cody Bowman, who operates Bowman Games. “That’s why I carry video games, VHS, toys and anything else that will bring you back to your childhood.”
Living in Malvern his whole life, he saw a hole when the last game store closed. Amassing a sizable gaming shrine in his shed, he knew he “had to try to get something going for Malvern.”
“I had been selling video games online and at conventions for a while, so I knew the market,” he said. “It was just a matter of finding the right location and price for it to make sense, and that finally happened this year.”
Renting a booth space inside the arcade has allowed him to pursue his dream of providing a place for gaming fans to buy, sell and trade games in Malvern without having to cover the overhead of an entire storefront. He said he hopes to serve Malvern for many years to come.
The Last Quarter offers all-day free play for arcade and pinball machines, a pool table that can be rented hourly and its own selection of merchandise available for purchase or trade. It plans to expand its hours, increase the number of machines and offer more “services that Main Street needs.” Its summer hours are 12-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 12-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
“Malvern seemed like a good choice because it has potential to be like Benton and Bryant,” said Lewis.
With these two businesses, Malvern has established itself as a gaming destination in central Arkansas. Get your quarters ready.
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