Madison, VA
Quoted from pookycade:Well I am sad to report that weekend #1 of being open has been an abject disaster. Down 95% despite two news stories, advertising on Facebook. Taken proactive measures I’ve just reduced our prices back to levels we haven’t had since we first opened a couple of years ago and will see if that spurs anything. Even if we filled every spot at that price we would break even at best. Short of that if I keep bleeding cash 3 months from now with no end in site we will cash out now rather than dig in and endure even more debt for the foreseeable future. This was a hobby and when a hobby turns into a stress factory I’m out. I have more productive ways to make money in life in an enjoyable than stress inducing manner. I did this for the community (haven’t ever made a dime and that was never the point), but the community has sent the message back that they don’t need us anymore. That fine and I understand. But all the same driving to Walmart and Lowe’s and seeing the mass of humanity, much of it without facemasks or distancing of any sort, one has to wonder at what rationale is being applied here
This is Ward, using Jeff's account. I'm sorry to read that more folks haven't come out to support the arcade, but I imagine that most people (like me) are still afraid of catching the virus. (I have a niece who's been sick with it for over 60 days now.) If it would help, I'd be willing to pay for future admissions now -- maybe buy a punch card or something? -- and use them later, after a vaccine is available, etc. I think the arcade is a wonderful resource for Charlottesville and central Virginia, and I'd hate to see it disappear. Jeff supports me on this, and I imagine many others do, too. I appreciate all the precautions that you're taking in trying to reopen, but I'm still apprehensive enough -- mainly about the other people around me who might be asymptomatic -- that I'm still reluctant to return in person yet, though I did stop by for the DPL reopen on Thursday. If reopening now is not working out financially, is there any way you could get some kind of an abatement or suspension of the rent for the time being, close temporarily, and just wait a while longer to reopen until the outbreak settles down or a vaccine makes us old pinball fans brave enough to come back? I'm sure you'll have a flood of customers once everyone feels safe, but that may be a while yet. In the meantime, I'll buy a punch ticket for future admissions if that would help. WE LOVE DECADES!!
