In The Spotlight: Go Play! Retro Arcade

Tell us a little bit about your business.

Go Play! opened in 2014. We offer more than 40 classic and new arcade games, from Skee Ball and pinball, to the circa 1981 Ms. Pac Man/Galaga combination, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and the original Millipede. Other games include air hockey, ping pong, fooseball, Wii, XBOX One, PGA golf, and much more.

Once you pay the admission fee, all the games are included for unlimited play. A 30-minute admission is $6, one hour is $10, and a daily pass with re-entry is $15.

What was the inspiration for your business?

Risa worked in corporate software sales for 20 years. One morning in 2012, she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. After she recuperated from two brain surgeries, she decided that she wanted to get out of sales and just have fun. She wanted to hear kids laugh and have a good time. The arcade was her idea.

What is something most people don't know about your business?

We have great birthday party packages with pizza and open-game play for up to 15 guests. We also work with many of the local schools and organizations to support charitable donations and fund-raisers. We have days that we open for groups with special needs for a minimal charge so that we can offer a safe and fun place to play.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned being in business for yourself?

There are many ups and downs. It takes hard work and lots of time to make a business successful. You have to be creative and advertise.

What else would you like to share about your business?

We are open year-round. In the winter, we are closed Mondays and Tuesdays, although if schools are off, we open. In the summer, we are open seven days a week.

Go Play! Retro Arcade
1102 Main Street
732-681-7529
www.goplaybelmar.com

Article reprinted with permission from the Belmar Beachcomber Blog. Read more Belmar business news.