I'm the guy that owns/operates the pins in the arcade at NYNY. I've been really interested in opening up a pinball lounge somewhere on the Las Vegas strip, however, I have no desire to compete with Tim, or the PHOF, so I've refocused my efforts on getting the first Triotech XD Theater/Dark Ride in Las Vegas. I'm currently waiting on a final draft contract from a major strip hotel/casino to get this project started.

More to the point, I've also been speaking with Tim over the last few weeks about the future of the PHOF. I have already placed an offer on the table.... but please understand that does not mean that the PHOF is for sale. IT IS NOT FOR SALE. It just means I've proactively made it clear that I would like to buy it, operate it, and GREATLY improve upon it.... under Tim's guidance. Ultimately, it is Tim's decision as to the future of the PHOF.

I'm sorry, but you're incorrect. The way it is run simply does not work. Broken and malfunctioning equipment, by definition, does not work. This fact is further supported by the overwhelming negative comments here on this forum. I'm not the armchair quarterback criticizing the place, I'm the seconds string QB sent in to save the game. I own and operate arcades here in town, including the set up at NYNY, and the method by which the PHOF is currently run simply does not work.

If I'm blessed to be given the opportunity to operate the PHOF, I CAN guarantee on what happens next as I understand how successful businesses operate. There is no "might". It will make more money, it will be more successful, and it will grow in popularity. And I flat out guarantee this as I'm the one willing to put my money, my time, and my resources to accomplish this.... if given the opportunity.

Well, with all due respect, you're wrong. I can do it better. The only reason that I have not attempted to do so is purely out of respect for Tim, his wife, his legacy, and my own conscience, integrity & morals. If I were solely motivated by money, it would have already happened. I'm simply not interested in taking money out of a respected friend's pocket. That's why I'm currently negotiating to set up a Triotech Dark Ride here in Vegas, and not a pinball arcade. I can always find other ways to make money in the family entertainment industry.

I've acquired plenty of street accounts directly from competitors who ran shit operations. Arcade operators who would never upgrade equipment because they were just riding out the profit. That's a fast track to failure. Most of the time, after I take over an account, revenue goes up 100% or more. That's just how I operate. I took a movie theater account from a competitor 5 years ago. They were generating $500 per week. Today, that account averages $3,000 per week, with seasonal peaks exceeding $6,000.

I operate about 175 arcade pieces spread out over 9 locations here in the Las Vegas Valley. Mostly arcade, a few pinballs. To answer your question, yes, I'm currently exceeding the kind of numbers Tim does. For 2015, my company grossed just a hair under $1 million. For 2016, based on my current accounts, I expect to gross $1.2 million-$1.4 million. But I also operate under a completely different business model, and I reinvest nearly EVERY dollar I make back into the business. I started my business from scratch, in my garage just 7 years ago. No experience, no training, no formal education. After many years of 18hr days, 7 days per week, I've achieved success in this industry. Today, I can keep my current operation running with only 2-3 days per week of my time.

I'm not interested in PHOF for the money. I already have money. I see it as an opportunity for improvement, growth, and continuing a legacy. What Tim has accomplished is nothing less than extraordinary. I would like to take the PHOF to the next level.... and then a level above that.

Interestingly enough, the folks who visit and rate on Yelp! and Trip advisor, give this place more than 4.5 stars (out of 5), on average, with hundreds, or even thousands, of reviews. It's mostly the hardcore pinball enthusiasts who complain. But I completely understand their criticism. It just comes from a different perspective.

I will, but only with Tim's blessing.

Yes, he's still on quarters. That's one of the many reasons he won't let anybody have access to the coin door. It's also one of the things I would change on day 1. Convert everything to operate on custom made PHOF tokens.

For a modern arcade, sure. But for a "museum", not so much.

I can convert a 250 piece arcade to run on tokens for about $20,000. To convert to a card system would run in excess of $300,000.

Have you ever considered that somebody won't do it out of principle, based on morals, integrity, and a conscience???

Consider it.

I have to disagree again. Would you say it's fun to see a few dead pets? Would you say it's fun to see a few broken down cars on the side of the road? I wouldn't. And I don't like seeing broken games in a business. I believe that given the choice, the vast majority of people would choose to see a few working games, over a few broken games. My opinion.
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There's a reason that the most expensive works of art are perfectly illuminated. Pinball machines are no different. They were designed to be well lit. Given the choice, the vast majority of people would choose to see well illuminated back glasses and playfields, over those with no functioning lighting. My opinion.

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Yeah, I can just imagine the excitement: It's an emotional roller coaster ride of delusional exuberance, immediately followed by the heart breaking realization of not being able to play the game you haven't seen in 30 years. What a miserably disappointing instant trip down memory lane. My opinion.

It's not just the readers, it's the entire infrastructure including servers, wireless hubs, kiosks, mainframe, etc. As a revenue share partner with The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade at NYNY, I was there when they converted the arcade from quarters to a card system. And they only had 175 games. I know how much it costs.

Sorry my friend, I don't do "cheap". Do it right or just don't do it. I have certain standards of business to which I adhere.

The difference is that when you go to the Auto Museum, you have no expectation of starting or driving the cars. In fact you can't even touch them as they are roped off.

As you well know, the PHOF is a different type of museum. It's a place that you DO EXPECT to see and play the games. In my opinion, if the game doesn't work, take it off of the floor, or create a separate area that is restricted to "viewing only".

Listen, I'm not interested in arguing with you. You are free to run your multi-million dollar arcade company in whichever manner you choose. And I'll run mine the way I choose.

I'm not interested in opening anything to compete with Tim. I thought that I made that very clear near the beginning of this thread. My version of the PHOF is merely an dramatic improvement of what currently exists. I've only expressed my interest in purchasing the entire operation.... Building, business, land, and assets. If Tim decides to sell the PHOF to me, fantastic, I'm ready to rock & roll. If Tim decides to continue his operation, FANTASTIC, I'll find another family entertainment venture to pursue.

Now, if somebody else winds up with ownership, or Tim decides to close it altogether, then all bets are off and I'll go ahead do something BIG with a pinball related theme.

The bottom line is that I'm simply not going to compete with Tim under any circumstances. He does a great deal of good for the local community, as well as the pinball community.

I believe the assets can be sold so long as the proceeds of said sale are donated to another charity (non-profit).