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My Pinball Establishment

(34 posts)

Started 4 months ago by maldoror
Latest reply from scooter

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maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator
As many of you know I have been working on opening my Pinball Parlor up here in the mountains of Colorado, and it is finally open. I wanted to share some pictures with you guys as well as extend an invite to everyone who may be up this way anytime in the future.

We currently have the following games, and more games coming soon..

Twilight Zone
Pinbot
Millionaire
Cherry Bell
Rocky & Bullwinkle
Card Whiz
Hurricane
Judge Dredd
TX-Sector
Sorcerer
Multicade w/ 4 vids, mrs pacman, frogger, galaga, donky kong
Arkanoid Cocktail

The address is -
Flipper McGill's
1535 Miner Street
Idaho Springs, Colorado 80452

Here are some pictures, I know the place is a work in progress. Needs more decoration, looks a little TOO nice and not arcade like yet, but I am working on that. I find that a lot of people come in and just look and stare at the pins, which I find highly annoying, these are not antiques in a china closet they are Pinball machines made to put money in and play them, and shake them and hit them when you get mad. It is OK I swear. Now I just need to hire some metalhead kids to hang out in front of the arcade and smoke cigarettes/dope and ask people for quarters so they can play, that would be more like the arcades I remember as a kid. hahah

As a side note, this has been a massive undertaking and I tell you what. Getting this many pins "location" ready is a lot of work. I have nothing but massive respect for ANYONE who has more than 10 pins on location. You have no idea the level of work required to get this many pins ready to go day in and day out without problems. I hope to one day be as nice as the guys place in Lyons, which inspired me to do this whole idea in the first place.
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Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator
More pics. Sorry for the bad quality just iphone pics.
More soon
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Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

Oh yea, and we also have a repair shop in the back I will get pics over of that soon. We offer pin repair from EM to Stern Whitestar and everything in between.

Posted 4 months ago #
wes2989

CREDITS: 353
Senior Pinhead

Thats awsome i wish i lived closer =(. By the way is 200 bucks too much money for an arkanoid coktail table in good shape?

Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

200 bucks is a great deal for any cocktail that's working

Posted 4 months ago #
scooter

CREDITS: 387
Senior Pinhead

That is Great,hope you are successful!! Would like to try it myself some day.

Posted 4 months ago #
Donnyman

CREDITS: 96
Pinhead

grab it wes2989 thats a great deal and makes a great converastion piece. they were made to go on cruise ships to play. Oh and maldoror great establishment, we need more in this world I dont want pinball to die.

Posted 4 months ago #
Autumnfade

CREDITS: 1023
Moderator
Looks like a great place you have Maldoror,
Idaho Springs looks like a place I'd love to visit on the road West.
Perhaps instead of metal heads you could have a few good looking ladies
serving awesome coffee & donuts? -just a thought you know
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Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

I am right across the street as that photograph, that is pretty much the view from my window. Nice find on the photo.

I hope all of you stop by over the years, It is a nice place to visit any time of year. Summer however is the best in my opinion.

Posted 4 months ago #
Autumnfade

CREDITS: 1023
Moderator

Oh Yeah !
love to play that Cherry bell and TX -Sector

Posted 4 months ago #
drbond

CREDITS: 801
Moderator

Looks great maldoror.

As far as decorations go, there are stickers (?) that they sell online that appear like wallpaper. Designs of like the spaceships of Galaga and Space Invaders and such. I might end up ordering some for my gameroom.

Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

Got any links dr bond?

Posted 4 months ago #
Brokedad

CREDITS: 1784
Moderator

One of these days maldo .. one of these days .. I'll show up with my sleeping bag

Posted 4 months ago #
fusion301

CREDITS: 599
Pinball addict

found this: http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/blik-invader
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/6425/

Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

Thanks for the links! Those are awesome, I will be ordering some come monday

Posted 4 months ago #
drbond

CREDITS: 801
Moderator

Nice! fusion301 found the links.

Great gameroom decor, and affordable to boot.

Posted 4 months ago #
robin

CREDITS: 485
Pinside Staff

I am very impressed to see how far you've come already, Maldoror! The location looks very nice indeed (thanks for that street photo Autumnfade) and the setup inside is real nice and cozy! Are you also serving drinks, is there a place to sit and relax? All the pinball artwork is a nice touch! I would love to visit one day, if I ever get to that part of the world. Congrats with Flipper McGills and I hope you will have good and fun pinball business!

Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

Thanks Robin, there's no on site drink and food yet but I plan on adding basic food and drink soon, it is very high on the priority list. Not really alot of room to sit down but there is some basic seating along the front window. Each day has been busier than the last, today included. Starting to see some pinhead types stop by and actually play for a while, which is awesome. It should get really busy around these parts come Memorial Day (U.S.) it gets crazy up here, I will not have any problem getting business during the summer months. Can work on sales/service of pins during the slower months to keep the bills paid. It is not a really expensive location by any means, but it has great foot traffic as it is right on the main street. I wonder who the first pinsider to stop by will be?

I have to go work on pinbot now, he is not doin so hot...

Posted 4 months ago #
SealClubber

CREDITS: 1362
Pinball master

Congrats Mald.

Posted 4 months ago #
fxdwgmb

CREDITS: 83
Pinhead

Looks great and good luck. If I'm ever up in that neck of woods I be sure to drop by and drop some change.

Posted 4 months ago #
wes2989

CREDITS: 353
Senior Pinhead

You could aslo put some of these on your walls maldoror http://www.pinballdecals.com/PinballArtworkPage.html

Posted 4 months ago #
SealClubber

CREDITS: 1362
Pinball master

The posters from Treasure cove look good too. I bought the TZ and Fishtales ones.

Posted 4 months ago #
fusion301

CREDITS: 599
Pinball addict

Maldoror - you should start a montly masters tournament, where you charge 15- 20 bucks to the pinheads to get in, set everything on free play and play for cool prizes - you will make a small amount of money, meet some cool people and hopefully get people talking...

Its fun to have friendly competition brings things to another level. If you want any more info I can tell you how some folks around here do the tournaments.

Posted 4 months ago #
Autumnfade

CREDITS: 1023
Moderator

I know the place I go that has only 8 games post the high scores on the wall.
to me they seam like unbelievable scores but neat to know what you need to be competitive

Posted 4 months ago #
erak

CREDITS: 377
Senior Pinhead

Looks great! Hope the word gets around that pinballs coming back. I would love to come play some of those pins. All the best!

Posted 4 months ago #
VT8man

CREDITS: 268
Senior Pinhead

That's awesome. I'm sure it's a lot of work, but if you love it, you're set!

I mention how I plan to build an arcade as a retirement job. I should just do it sooner.

Once you get some pinheads hanging out, you should see if one of them wants to run a league, or start a weekly tournament. The league near me is $4 a week, and you have put quarters in the machines. So it's like $6 a week for ten weeks. Get 10-15 pinheads to play weekly, and they'll be back during the week to practice. lol

Posted 4 months ago #
lb45

CREDITS: 291
Senior Pinhead

Hi Maldoror .
Congrats for this project - Wish you very good business.

It seems you have forgotten our flag : the .......................pinside logo.

Hope visit you soon , and try your machines!

Lionel

Posted 4 months ago #
Wyzeguy

CREDITS: 17
Pinhead

The place looks great! I doubt I'll be the first Pinsider to drop by (it's about a 15 hour drive) but I will try to make it the next time I'm in the Denver area.

I hope you'll keep us posted with how things go when the busy season hits.

Posted 4 months ago #
maldoror

CREDITS: 535
Moderator

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I got some local press.

http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?040+article+News+20100504164018040040003

Anything helps

Posted 4 months ago #
fxdwgmb

CREDITS: 83
Pinhead

Nice write up, that free press is always helpfull.

Posted 4 months ago #
scooter

CREDITS: 387
Senior Pinhead

Congratulations Maldoror!! Great story about one of our own.

Posted 4 months ago #
loren3233

CREDITS: 130
Pinhead

Great write up on the new shop....Good luck to you and the business. It's a great idea.

Posted 4 months ago #
VT8man

CREDITS: 268
Senior Pinhead

fusion301 - Did I just play with you at Allentown? I'm Bayless. I played in the monthly masters there. I sported my pinball at warp speed pinside shirt there.

Malador, I'm sure you may have seen it, but the Free State Pinball Assoc. has league rules on their site. Pretty complex, but take what you like and have fun.

http://www.fspazone.org/

Nice quote "It was the ‘80s, and pinball was king.", get that reporter to come back in one year and write "It's the 21st century, and pinball is king!"

You and Robin really have me thinking...hehehehe 5 year plan to build an arcade.

Posted 4 months ago #
scooter

CREDITS: 387
Senior Pinhead

5 year plan to build a pinball arcade,sounds very interesting!

Posted 4 months ago #