Popular LA Arcade Raises $60K To Renovate, Gets Denied By City Council
By Dr. Eleanor Vance | Published on January 01, 0001
Super Arcade is one of California’s most beloved arcades. It raised more than $60,000 on Kickstarter last year. Due to rent concerns, it was forced to move locations. When it tried to apply for a permit, however, the city council denied them.(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=995c4c7d-194f-4077-b0a0-7ad466eb737c&cid=872d12ce-453b-4870-845f-955919887e1b'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "995c4c7d-194f-4077-b0a0-7ad466eb737c" }).render("79703296e5134c75a2db6e1b64762017"); }); “High quality does not really fit with games called ‘street fighter’ and ‘combat,’” said one city council member. Yikes Y1 Games Increased rent meant the last location was losing money, so last December, Super Arcade founder Mike Watson decided to shut down the existing venue and find somewhere new. Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction—leases signed, Y1 com equipment secured, insurance finalized. What remained was securing a business permit from Azusa, California. (That’s just north of Los Angeles, by the way.) “The people at City Hall have been extremely helpful and courteous,” wrote Watson in a blog post in early June, “but they have a very specific protocol that has to be followed so we are just a victim of their excessive thoroughness.” Things were looking up, and it seemed like Super Arcade’s future was good to go. Unfortunately, the city council meeting didn’t go very well. In fact, Azusa decided to turn down Watson’s application to establish an arcade. The council commended Watson for developing a community, but ultimately decided “it was not the right location for this type of business.” They encouraged him to look elsewhere in Azusa. How come? “This will contribute to people loitering and people hanging out” said one council member, citing previous incidents in the shopping center where Super Arcade would be located. “I wouldn’t walk in that center at midnight,” they continued. Several council members expressed concern about the owner of the property. (I’m unable to attribute quotes to specific names due to the low resolution of the video currently available from the recorded meeting. You can view it yourself below.) Safety and “stigma” reasons were cited regarding the proposed location, though they pointed out Super Arcade did not have any noted incidents at its previous venue. Watson argued he would be bring a “bright” new business to the supposedly blighted location. One city council member mentioned they knew a professional player who makes six figures, but it did not seem to move the others. “From what I know about gamers
Reader Comments
The payout process is generally smooth and reliable, though occasionally it takes longer than expected. Overall, I feel confident that my winnings are safe and will be credited properly. The mobile interface is smooth and intuitive. I can play all my favorite slots on the go without experiencing any lag or glitches. The design is responsive and user-friendly, which makes gaming on my phone just as enjoyable as on my computer. The variety of games is excellent, including table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, in addition to slots. This keeps the platform interesting and allows me to switch games depending on my mood.
The variety of games is excellent, including table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, in addition to slots. This keeps the platform interesting and allows me to switch games depending on my mood. The payout process is generally smooth and reliable, though occasionally it takes longer than expected. Overall, I feel confident that my winnings are safe and will be credited properly. Customer support has been outstanding whenever I had any issues. They respond quickly and professionally, ensuring that any concerns with deposits, withdrawals, or gameplay are addressed immediately, which makes me trust the platform more.
Sometimes I wish there were more ways to earn rewards through loyalty programs or frequent player bonuses. Adding seasonal events or special challenges could enhance the excitement even further. Customer support has been outstanding whenever I had any issues. They respond quickly and professionally, ensuring that any concerns with deposits, withdrawals, or gameplay are addressed immediately, which makes me trust the platform more.