Funspot Pictures 2015

[ClassicGMR]

Funspot Photobucket Album

[tthurman]

Man that place looks awesome

I like how they grouped them by manufacturer. Makes for quite a reminder that so many companies in addition to Nintendo stuck with the same cab design. That Taito line-up looks really cool. Glad to see BurgerTime in the appropriate "end of the row" spot.

I checked this out last year when you posted about it, but didn't really grasp that it had been around that long. Going by those pics of the pinball and space invaders tournaments, this place has been around. Makes me wonder how many of those machines have been there since they were new

So did you take these really early, or really late? I'm amazed you got all those no people shots!

Serious piece of Americana under one roof, thanks for sharing

[ClassicGMR]

So did you take these really early, or really late? I'm amazed you got all those no people shots!

That's the normal state of Funspot on low-tourist weeks. During the summer, foliage and skiing months the place is usually busy or packed depending on the time of day. My vacation week is always this time of year (time share) so I always have run of the place when I go. The downside is they're also not in a hurry to fix a machine that's down during the slow times either. Tons of games to play though! Here's their list of classics.

Funspot has been open since 1952. Here's the blurb:

Funspot is the largest arcade in the world, founded in 1952 by Bob Lawton who still works here every day. Funspot provides quality entertainment in an atmosphere right for the whole family and its array of fun is continually growing.

Funspot offers over 600 games, including 300 classic arcade games, a 20 lane ten pin & candlepin bowling center, cash bingo, outdoor & indoor mini-golf, a restaurant, a tavern and more!

Most of the time when you see something like this you think "Yeah... the guy still goes there everyday... and I'm Superman (or Wonder Woman. I'm not sexist!)" but I do actually see Bob Lawton almost every time I visit. The day before I took all the pictures I went to hang out for the day - and dropped $60 for tokens - and Bob was there supervising an arcade placement as well as plans for the new party center layout. If he wasn't so busy I'd have introduced myself.

I did have a nice conversation with Gary who runs the ACAM section and volunteers at the Bingo center that's on site. Very nice guy! He has a passion for classics we can all appreciate but he's the only guy that centers on the classics. Incidentally that's why there's no tournament this year. He said it's always just him planning, setting up, inviting guests, doing the press releases, etc. that he couldn't do it this year. It was getting to be too much. Kind of sad but I know how he feels. It took four of us 8 months a year to plan and execute PhillyClassic when we ran it. That's a lot of work for one person to have to do alone.

[tthurman]

Ah, I was just checking out their site again, and noticed that they weren't hosting it this year, but yeah I can see why.

American Restoration is one of the few shows I enjoy watching, but missed the two episodes featuring their machines. Anyone interested can check them out here.

[ClassicGMR]

American Restoration is one of the few shows I enjoy watching, but missed the two episodes featuring their machines. Anyone interested can check them out here.

And they have both videos playing on a perma-loop over each machine in the arcade itself. The Shoot the Bear machine is on display only - can't play it - but the Sea Skate in the kiddie area looks to be fully operational and you can see wear and tear on it since it was restored.

EDIT: I found a video of Gary Vincent from a PAX East interview. It's an inept interview (apologies to whomever did it) but that's the guy!

[Adultery]

That pinball section brings a tear to my eye! I need to put that on my bucket list!!!

[ClassicGMR]

That pinball section brings a tear to my eye! I need to put that on my bucket list!!!

They have Funhouse and Cyclone but I would really love to see them find or have someone donate a working Phantom of the Opera. Used to love playing it.

[tthurman]

That's great, they run Daphne!

I'd imagine those discs have laser-rot by now.

[GimmeClassics]

Wow

Man...I wish I lived in the USA ! We don't have those kind of Arcade Halls !

I have so much love for the classic arcade and pin cabs. I definitely have it on my bucket list to go on a holiday to America and visit the best Arcade places

Thank you very much GMR for sharing these cool pics !!!

[ExedExes]

We've see the pics of Funspot, but what about its other locations?

At one time, Funspot had several locations here in the US, including a local arcade I frequent monthly! You'll see me here constantly in training for our high score competition playing the 60-in-1 machine as well as trying to score well in After Burner.

This ex-Funspot is in Port Richey, FL under its new name since 1988, Stop N Play. It opened as a Funspot location in 1983. In preparation for a new paint job, you can see a familiar word underneath.

[ClassicGMR]

I don't believe the Funspot in NH was ever "franchised" or had an out of state expansion. It just happened to be a name quite a few people used for their locations.

[ExedExes]

I don't believe the Funspot in NH was ever "franchised" or had an out of state expansion. It just happened to be a name quite a few people used for their locations.

It was. According to this article:

“Bob took me under his wing from the start,” Butch fondly remembers. Bob taught water-skiing in the summer at the Weirs from 1952 to 1960 and Butch was always there helping out.

“Butch moved down to Florida and in 1983 we partnered on a Funspot in Port Richey,” said Lawton. “In 1988 I sold my interest in the business to Butch as I focused on other areas here in New Hampshire.”

Butch changed the name to Stop N Play. He ran it for several years until taking ill. He sold the business and moved back to Northfield where he lives today.

[ClassicGMR]

Damn... had no idea. I had never seen any connection before. Good find!