Rumor control: Arcade Asheville on College Street is closing

Share

Arcade Asheville, a College Street bar that opened downtown three years ago, is closing, according to messages posted on the bar’s Facebook page. For example, here’s a post from Arcade Asheville on its page:

The count down to New Year’s Is here! Stop bye The Arcade to pick up your tickets to our final throw down ever! Check out the event page for details!

Commenters on various posts are saying that a new restaurant is planned for the location at the corner of College and Spruce streets, but that is unconfirmed. There is a new Brazilian streakhouse going in around the corner at the former Magnolia’s restaurant. And there’s a new piano bar going in at the former Cinjade’s location nearby.

Arcade Asheville, also affectionately known as the “barcade,” opened to a lot of hoopla in December 2010 with food and a wide selection of vintage video games and pinball machines. Not sure why the decision now to close. I’ve left a message with Leonard Poe, a local attorney and an owner of the business.

 

15 Comments

Norm December 3, 2013 - 1:09 pm

Alcohol was so last decade????????? What should we be doing in this decade?

Harry December 3, 2013 - 8:53 pm

Hittin the bong duuuuuude.

The Dude December 3, 2013 - 9:24 pm

I’m down.

JT December 4, 2013 - 12:43 pm

I like yer style.

Cwaster December 3, 2013 - 10:05 am

When I first went, it was cool. The food was okay, and the service good. The last time I went on a Saturday eve several months ago it was full of bros and teenyboppers. Security was holding people back, and it was not the place for an adult who wished to have a low-key time and spend money it seemed. I’m in agreement with the above posters about the concept being good but the execution lacking. It’s a shame really, as a place with video games like that which was friendly was a good idea.

Ginny December 2, 2013 - 10:36 pm

I suspect it has something to do with the reduction in gaming, friendly people, and fun, along with the increase in bros and security guards.

Jason W December 2, 2013 - 11:22 pm

Yeah, the clientele totally ruined the vibe of the place. Half price Sundays used to be the bomb.

Big Al December 3, 2013 - 5:00 pm

What are “bros”. Do you mean black people?

Harry December 3, 2013 - 8:55 pm

It’s ok Al. Only conservatives are racists. No need to be concerned. Bahahahahahahahaah.

Cwaster December 4, 2013 - 10:18 am

Bros does not refer to black people. It refers to douchey types, at least in my mind. “Bro! Duuude!” Also known as “Dude Bros.”

Doug Cegelis December 2, 2013 - 8:50 pm

They never did quite have things together. From the get go, broken machines were a constant, food was average at best. Good concept, very poor execution.

The Blunder Years December 2, 2013 - 7:50 pm

That place was great when it first opened, not sure what happened along the way.

It seems like a series of bad decisions were made. They went from smart gestures like giving away a couple free tokens to play games for each beer purchased, to becoming a private club, ditching most of the gaming vibe and going for more of a swanky night club feel.

Last time I was there I hardly recognized it from what it was when it opened.

It’s not surprising they’re going under, seeing as how no one goes there anymore and the rent, I hear, is around 10k per month.

JML December 2, 2013 - 6:31 pm

The games in there were so run down, Donkey Kong is missing a joy stick… Someone needs to make an arcade game space like the pinball museum for those style games. Alcohol is so last decade but if you still drink you can get it anywhere else

doghaus28815 December 2, 2013 - 5:10 pm

…and another one gone…and another one gone…another one bites th’ dust

indy December 2, 2013 - 4:28 pm

They are probably closing because Brinks doesn’t have enough trucks to haul away the proceeds.

Post Comment