Former Showbiz Locations!!

[terry67401]

Hi All!!

Greetings from Kansas!!

I am new to the board, but I am a Showbiz/Rock-afire Fan for the last 26 years!! I happened to browse by Wikipedia the other day and I read through their page on Showbiz and it gave me an idea. There is a section on their page dedicated to former Showbiz locations and I decided to take it upon myself to try and put together a complete list of the 200 or so locations that once existed, complete with full address and what the current status of the location is, whether it now be a CEC restaurant, another restaurant, another business, etc.

One resource I have found is SP.com!!! There are a number of scans of old Showbiz newspaper ads that mention various locations. There is one in particular that lists quite a few, but they are hard to read. I wish I could find a way to get a larger copy of that scan!!

If anyone can assist me with this project, it would be greatly appreciated. I want to make that little list on Wikipedia as complete as I can and I thought maybe Vega would want to put it up somewhere on SP.com as well!! I have made a few additions to it already!!

Also, someone on the board suggested doing a Showbiz/Rock-afire Wiki. This would be great information for this as well!!

Thanks in advance!!

Terry

Hey there again to all!!

I found this add in the information section of SP.com -

http://rock_afire.tripod.com/info/ads/spp/sppad17.jpg

I need to know if anyone out there has a larger version of the scan or can provide me with one for the project listed in the above posting. At the top of the information page, it gives credit to Nick, Andy F, Jenn, and Belinda. If one of you has this ad, is there anyway I could get you to email me either a larger version of it or one that is a little easier to read all of those locations listed on it!! If you could email to me at showbiznation@yahoo.com, I would greatly appreciate it. This would be invaluable to my project!! Anyone that can help me in anyway with this project can reach me at that email address!!

Thanks!!

Terry

[menutia]

I'll help out with the Illinois area stores. We had about 10 in Chicago and another 5 or 6 in the state.

[terry67401]

Thanks!! I have come across some ten Illinois locations outside of Chicago alone. Thanks for passing that along!!

[menutia]

Really? WOw!!!

I knew about: Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, East St. Louis area; possibly Fairview Hts., Bloomington, & Decatur.

Chicago area had:

Bloomingdale
8630 S. Lafayette (87th & Dan Ryan Expy)
5030 S. Kedzie
Oaklawn
Naperville
Matteson
Darien
Joliet
Arlington Heights


The first two were the first to go in our area.

[Rapid T Rabbit]

New Jersey (New York City metro area) had:

North Hackensack
Watchung

[CEC3066]

actually there wasn't one in Rockford. it was a Celebration Station before it was a CEC

[Snap]

I will try and find my list. I have a list that gives the addresses and phone numbers, store numbers etc etc of every Showbiz store that was in existance.

[terry67401]

Thanks Snap!!

You can email that list to me at showbiznation@yahoo.com. To the rest of you that are replying, your information is very much appreciated!!! Please keep them coming!! :bb_happy2:

[Chuckette566]

The Baton Rouge, LA store used to be a Showbiz. I will talk a picture of it for you. You can tell just by the outside signage they still use.

[Blackson187]

actually there wasn't one in Rockford. it was a Celebration Station before it was a CEC
No... Celebration Station was across the street. Which is actually the State Street Station now (a strip club.) It's funny because they kept the same sign and altered the letters... if you look up Celebration Station's logo you'll see this.

Where Chuck E. Cheese is was indeed formerly a Showbiz Pizza I used to go there quite often from about 3 (probably before but I can't remember much before that) to 7. I turned 7 in 1989 and that's the year it switched from Showbiz to CEC. I'm actually probably going there this weekend for my 25th with my parents and my nephew mainly because he loves the place. I'll take some pics if I go. You can even see the curtains from the old RAE show are still intact but not in use.

As a matter of fact if you look up listings most people still have it listed as Shobiz Pizza Place in Rockford.

[HisHelen89]

The Chuck E Cheese's in Wilmington, Delaware used to be a showbiz. said you wanted full address?

3601 Silverside Rd
Wilmington, DE 19801

[ChuckECheese383]

The Chuck E. Cheese's in Greenville, South Carolina used to a Showbiz Pizza, ahhh good times I had there as a kid!

[cec080]

The Chuck E. Cheese's in Dearborn,Flint and Southgate Michigan were all Showbizpizza place they all had the RAE converted to MMBB.

[arenafoot]

I agree with Chuckette566 about the Baton Rouge, LA CEC store being a former Showbiz Pizza Place. The signage on the building itself is the old frame of the Showbiz Pizza logo.
A brand new (built from the ground up) CEC has recently opened in Baton Rouge also.

I originally lived in New Orleans, LA and used to always go to the Showbiz located on Gen. McArthur Blvd. in Algiers, LA which is now a CEC. And CEC/Pizza Time Theatre had a location in Marrero, LA. on LaPalco Blvd. in the early 80's too.

[oldgamefan]

No... Celebration Station was across the street. Which is actually the State Street Station now (a strip club.) It's funny because they kept the same sign and altered the letters... if you look up Celebration Station's logo you'll see this.

Hehe, no. State Street Station in Rockford was an Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips in the 70's and early 80's before its current owners moved in. Nothing to do with CS, Showbiz, CEC or PTT. :bb_happy2:

[The Ratman]

Escondido- Coverted to CEC during CU, since closed and relocated in 2006.

Oceanside- Converted to a CEC, recieved a beta show in early January 2001.

Am I missing any for the San Diego Area?

[CEC3066]

No... Celebration Station was across the street. Which is actually the State Street Station now (a strip club.) It's funny because they kept the same sign and altered the letters... if you look up Celebration Station's logo you'll see this.

Where Chuck E. Cheese is was indeed formerly a Showbiz Pizza I used to go there quite often from about 3 (probably before but I can't remember much before that) to 7. I turned 7 in 1989 and that's the year it switched from Showbiz to CEC. I'm actually probably going there this weekend for my 25th with my parents and my nephew mainly because he loves the place. I'll take some pics if I go. You can even see the curtains from the old RAE show are still intact but not in use.

As a matter of fact if you look up listings most people still have it listed as Shobiz Pizza Place in Rockford.

now that is is interesting news. I wonder how this store ended up w/ a Rocker stage porch show in '89 because as of late 1988 the only version of the porch being installed in Chuck E. Cheese locations was the C stage porch (all half bodied characters.

[terry67401]

Thank you all for the great information that you are providing. I apologize for being on the board in a while. I recently moved and finally got my internet service back up today. A lot of people have added some great information to the Wikipedia section on Showbiz as well!! Whomever ever that may be, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! Keep 'em coming!!

Unfortunately, Wikipedia is being stupid and deleted the entire former locations list on me last week. I reconstructed the original list once again today and I immediately get a notice that the list may again be deleted quickly because it falls under their guideline of 'deliberately advertising a company'. Funny, how can I advertise a company that lives on only in the memories of those of us that hold it dear. That Wikipedia just annoys me anymore. I do have a reconstructed list that I am working on offline. I haven't the slightest idea where online I am going to put it once complete, but I will let you all know. In the meantime, please keep contributing by posting to this thread or by emailing me at showbiznation@yahoo.com!! Thanks a bunch, everyone!!

[raebigc]

Former Showbiz location in Laurel, MD!

[terry67401]

Thanks!! Keep 'em coming!!

[terry67401]

Keep 'em Coming!! Keep 'em Coming!!

[chucki233]

Heres the ones I know about


Burnet Road, Austin Texas. CEC Closed last October

Ben White, Austin Texas. Still here, now a CEC

Richardson Texas. CEC Closed last year

Ingram, San Antonio. CEC Still open

Thats about all I know of :cec_smile:

[pizzacam]

now that is is interesting news. I wonder how this store ended up w/ a Rocker stage porch show in '89 because as of late 1988 the only version of the porch being installed in Chuck E. Cheese locations was the C stage porch (all half bodied characters.

Remember bro, franchises are different from corporate owned stores... :cecwink:

[CEC3066]

true either corp had one left in their Topeka warehouse or the store got it in a sale because the store WOULD have ended up w/ a C stage by that point as I don't THINK they had a choice of Rocker or C stage

[RAFE CEC Guy]

Well, the Former Locations list has gone back online, and was moved to my Showbiz Pizza Wiki (http://showbizpizza.wetpaint.com).

[terry67401]

Yup...I put on the Wiki!! Had to put it somewhere. Wikipedia just rubbed me the wrong way. If its being on your Wiki is a problem, please let me know and I would be happy to remove and figure something else out!! Thanks!!

[wowweezee]

i know of a former location of showbiz pizza. it was in columbia mo about 30 miles south of where im at. it was in a strip mall on broadway st. if you need the address ill find it for you. i remember i went there for a birthday party whem i was 10 in 1986. thanks

[terry67401]

If you could get that for me, that would be great!! Thanks!!!

[wowweezee]

1729 w broadway blvd columbia mo its a piano store now the strip mall its in i dont know the name but ill search for it i dont when it closed but i remember it in the mid 80s

[PeteJayhawk]

actually there wasn't one in Rockford. it was a Celebration Station before it was a CEC

Many months later I come to set the record straight...the location on E. State St was first Celebration Station, then Showbiz Pizza, then Chuck E Cheese's. I have pictures from all versions somewhere, I'm sure, and I worked at the CEC during my senior year of HS (97-98).

[Snap]

48-Alexandria,La
729-Atlanta Cumberland
607-Atlanta Merchants Walk
611-Atlanta Norcross
939-Augusta Georgia
935-Austin Ben White
936 Austin Burnet
041 Bakersfield,Ca
609-Baton Rouge Sherwood
530-Birmingham/Vestavia
572-Birmingham,Parkway
420-Brandon Florida
80-Cantin,Mi
688-Chicago Arlington Hts.
685-Chicago Darien
63 -Chicago Kedzie
97 -Chicago Naperville
517-Chicago,Mattensn
95- Chino ,Ca
561 Cincinatti/Colerain
558-Colorado Springs N. Academy
869-Columbus Georgia
737-Columbus/Macsway,Oh
859-Dallas Arlington
942-Dallas Garland
46-Dallas BJ
949-Dallas Redbird Mall
594 Dallas Richardson
560-Mobile Alabama
65 - Pensacola Florida
718-Orlando International Drive
681-Orlando Spring Oaks


Ok...tired of typing for now..but there are many more.

[bzier]

Um, Snap, store 420 in Brandon, Florida was NEVER a Showbiz. It opened in 1981 as a Pizza Time Theatre, and is a CEC still today.

[Snap]

My mistake...Everything in the 400 series on here is CEC. I guess I was typing to fast. There all mixed together. So If I typed anything else..which I dont think I did..in the 400 series..it is CEC.

[CEC3066]

was 859 the ID for Arlington-Justiss because Feilder Rd was a PTT.

[terry67401]

Thanks for the info. I see someone added Columbia to the Wiki list. I will add the street address as soon as I can. I should have a COMPLETE list of locations up on the Wiki within the next couple of weeks!!!

Thanks Snap...have you sent the list?? LOL!!

[chuckrules]

Former Showbiz Pizza Place 1000 Lehigh Valley Mall Whitehall pa 18052. Currently is now a Chuck E. Cheese's!

[AutobotMaximal]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but there was a Showbiz located in Macon, GA.

[terry67401]

Thanks for all the great info. I am still working to get a complete list posted on the Wiki. Keep checking it!!

[CEC3066]

#865 Ft Collins CO was a ShowBiz as was Arvada,CO

[Ed3]

The two I remember are:

Foothills Mall
197 Foothills Mall
Maryville, TN 37801

This one was located inside the mall. The space is now occupied by a bank and chinese restaraunt. There is no external indication a Showbiz was ever there. The last time I saw it open was in spring 1991 and it was in bad shape at that time.

Near
120 Morrell Road
Knoxville, TN 37919 (http://roadhouse.know-where.com/roadhouse/cgi/site?site=00064&address=)

The origianl building is now parking space for Texas Roadhouse. I last remember seeing a Showbiz there sometime in 1994. Several months later it was converted to a Chuck E Cheese. A couple years after that CEC relocated and the building was demolished to make room for, then, Logan's Roadhouse.

[pizzacam]

Yeah sadly I think most of the "hangers-on" Showbiz Pizza's that still had a Rock-afire in '91 or later were in pretty rough to terrible shape by this time, especially if parts weren't being offered anymore becuase of the legal stuff between CEI & Showbiz and it was just franchises trying to hold onto their Rock-afire's before the change over(which is what we've heard) :(

[AutobotMaximal]

I guess I should have posted that the address for the former Showbiz in Macon, GA should be:

3709 Bloomfield Rd
Macon, GA 31206

That's where Olive Garden is now and I believe it's the same building with a lot of renovation of course.
I really wish I had more info on it, like the store # and such, but I was so young back then. :P

Oh and we definitely had The Rock-afire Explosion there, because I remember taking home a Dook LaRue doll. I swear. It's weird how much you remember stuff influencing your life. I ended up playing drums in high school. Figure that one out.

[terry67401]

All of this info is fantastic...I have run into a snag with my mission to get a complete list up on the Wiki and am trying to get it resolved!! Please keep the good info coming and I will keep you all posted on the mission!!

[RAFE CEC Guy]

Well people, I'm happy to say that I will finally continue work on the wiki. I know I haven't been working on it for months, but I will begin again soon. So look out for some new things coming to the wiki soon.

[Larry the Tech]

What's the link to the Wiki?

[RAFE CEC Guy]

http://showbizpizza.wetpaint.com/

[Larry the Tech]

Thanks, I put that on my favorites

HOLY CRAP!!! WE HAD A SHOWBIZ IN VIRGINIA BEACH!!! THAT MEANS THEY HAVE A 3 STAGE!!!!!! That's about an hour or two away

[Perry]

I just wanted to throw in a few locations that I know of in the Birmingham, AL metro area...

Bessemer Super Highway in Midfield (now a Piggly Wiggly)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pk9hmv7rqtk5&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=10203987&encType=1

Highway 31 in Vestavia (not positive of the exact location... it was one of these buildings.)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pk35r37s05yb&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=10239863&encType=1

Roebuck Parkway in Roebuck
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pkyg797s7r8v&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=9991836&encType=1

I found the right building for the Vestavia one. Here is it...
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pk2y5k7s033t&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=10239863&encType=1

(looks like it is a CEC now).

[rimshot630]

TheMidfield location was actually in the store that is now Family Dollar.

[Rockerchick]

Really? WOw!!!

I knew about: Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, East St. Louis area; possibly Fairview Hts., Bloomington, & Decatur.

Chicago area had:

Bloomingdale
8630 S. Lafayette (87th & Dan Ryan Expy)
5030 S. Kedzie
Oaklawn
Naperville
Matteson
Darien
Joliet
Arlington Heights


The first two were the first to go in our area.

I'm from ill and i rember the one's in joliet and oaklawn...i think there was one in orland park to

[YoungCaliHottie]

#357, 5151 Lakewood Blvd, Lakewood, CA ... former Showbiz

[CraigRBowers]

#357, 5151 Lakewood Blvd, Lakewood, CA ... former Showbiz


That was my store!

After opening stores in Texas and the mid-west I was posted as the Store-Tech/Asst Manager there before the store opened.

I was there for the first 6 months. Then I was offered a job doing flight test telemetery and communication at Edwards AFB.

As cool as the show and game were, working with F15's, F-16's, B-1's, C-17's, and the shuttle were far cooler!

[YoungCaliHottie]

the lakewood showbiz store was awesome.

it sucks now. the area got ghetto. the games never work. the show is constantly in crappy condition. they have a studio c alpha that they dont take care of. the employees are rude. i hate going there now.

its a shame. such wonderful childhood memories. but it is a totally different place now. may as well be something completely unrelated.

[CraigRBowers]

That's really too bad about my store. :ohwell:
I guess that's progress for ya.

One thing I do remember about working for Showbiz was that us young (at the time ;) ) management types would refer to Bob Brock as uncle Bob. Them when I got to the Lakewood store, I found that one of our asst. managers was really one of Bob's nephews. Great guy thou.




the lakewood showbiz store was awesome.

it sucks now. the area got ghetto. the games never work. the show is constantly in crappy condition. they have a studio c alpha that they dont take care of. the employees are rude. i hate going there now.

its a shame. such wonderful childhood memories. but it is a totally different place now. may as well be something completely unrelated.

[droc123]

4444 State Road 16
La Crosse, WI

Was a Showbiz and converted to CEC in 1990ish. I worked there 97'-01'. Corprate kept telling us we'd be getting a Studio C Show with in a year, when I left, but it is still 3 stage today.

I think it's store 724 now.

[bzier]

I visited LaCrosse back in 2000...I was glad to see that 3-stage still there!

[YoungCaliHottie]

does anyone know if valencia, ca was a showbiz? if so, does it still have a 3stage?
sorry if this was already mentioned. i tried to call the store to ask what stage they have but of course they didnt know. i at least figured out its not a studio c, but the girl was not understanding the difference between 1, 2, and 3 stages. i wonder if she even knows whether chuck is a hampster or a mouse lol

[bzier]

The only 3-stage left in California is Visalia. I went there after CV4 last year. Cosmetically the characters looked great, but there was a serious air leak that you could hear coming from all the characters except for Jasper.

[The Ratman]

I'm not sure on this one, but I believe their was a Showbiz in El Cajon, CA.

[Rockerchick]

I'm from ill and i rember the one's in joliet and oaklawn...i think there was one in orland park to

oops it was tinley park

[terry67401]

Believe it or not, I have not forgotten about this little project of compiling all the former locations. My goal is to get a COMPLETE list up on the Wiki. I have been waiting for several months for someone, and you know who you are, to send me his list. Once I have that, I can get it completed. Thanks for all your input and continued patience!! Please, please keep 'em coming!!

[triplehpotter7]

Oh and we definitely had The Rock-afire Explosion there, because I remember taking home a Dook LaRue doll. I swear. It's weird how much you remember stuff influencing your life. I ended up playing drums in high school. Figure that one out.

heh, I know the feeling. Of course, my influence was from Mitzi. Because of her, most every girl I've been with or was interested in had to have been able to sing, had green eyes, or both. *^^*;;;

[Munch's Make Believe Band]

The valncia ca youngcatholic has alaways been a 1 stage

[troydog]

Here is the info on the one that was is still here. Not sure if it has been posted.

showbiz pizza we had one it is now a Chuck E Cheese's. This is the addy and phone number to the place.

5141 Hinkleville Rd
Paducah, KY 42001
(270) 442-5114

I know it was built in the early 80's. around 1981 I think. It has or had 3 stages last time I was there they still used all of theme. I still know the lay out it use to have. They had the Rockafire Explosion also it was still in use last time I was there.

You walk in the door to a hall way with fake movie posters. Enter to a path. On the left items you could get with your tokens then order pick up beer. Also on the left small hall way bathroom woman's first dressing room then men's exit on back wall to the right payphones and more posters.

Back to the front door. right hand side. Games a strip of tables about 8 or so in the game arew. Next uper sets boths down from that lower set area tables. Stages were 3 of theme along with tv's and such.

The place was loud fun and the food was ok not great. Parking lot was a odd layout also most parking was stright down the right hand side of the of the place. With a few spots right out front.

Oh forgot inside to the right on the back wall was another exit door with a window in it. Also the sports room.


We use to go there ever weekend for family night out and a movie. The name change and food change sucked. That happen in the 90's sort of overnight. I know the place lost a lot of money when they took the beer out.

[YoungCaliHottie]

The valncia ca youngcatholic has alaways been a 1 stage


ya i know now :P
finally got the chance to go there.
thanks tho

[bzier]

The Paducah CEC was a Showbiz, and it is a franchise store that still has their 3-stage. every time I've visited that store, it's been a pleasant experience.

[DollyDagger]

In Austin, Texas, now a Chuck E. Cheese, but used to be Showbiz. It now has the Pizza Time Theatre characters and uses the 3-stage. Only animatronic show left in Austin, but I did notice that the moon was the same as the one used in RAE.
502 W Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-9681
To see video of the show go to:
http://www.youtube.com/user/amypete82
Good luck, we need this!!!

[smittysshowstop]

Theres a cec here in Cincinnati ,Ohio , in a area called colerain ans theres a former spp there with the yucky cu 3-stage and all. :(( And also in here is my billy bob show. (soon to maybe come is a Looney Burd. Hes been way far deep in his barrel for to long! Theres wanted signs billy started posting! Ha jk . But there will maybe some time soonish be a looney added):D

[Fatz Geronimo]

I browsed through this topic thoroughly, and perhaps I still missed mention of it, but were there any Showbiz pizza restaurants located in New York? I didn't see mention of them at all, and I certainly can't remember ever having seen one anywhere in my youth there. It wouldn't surprise if none were there, NY has been slow for EVERYTHING...I mean, we get everything like 20 years after it opens someplace else, and once we do...it closes down all of it's stores.

Well, least it was like that in the 90's. Be cool to know if one was around there someplace, though hopefully not to close where I lived...that'd just kill me.

[cec957]

Davenport Iowa opened as a showbiz in 81 and is still currently a cec at its original location

[Larry the Tech]

Let's see what I can come up with:

Richmond, VA, 10430 Midlothian Tpke (is now a CEC 3-stage)
Virginia Beach, VA, 2699 Lishelle Pl (is now a CEC, with a 2-stage)

[terry67401]

Hi All...thanks for continuing to supply me with some great info!! This is all great info. I have not, by any stretch, abandoned this project and I apologize for not being on the board lately. My computer completely crashed on me in September and I had to get a system wipe done to fix it. I have since decided to purchase to a new system, which my roommate has just texted me and told me has arrived today...finallly!!

Anyway, I will get this done. Keep the info coming!!!

When it rains it pours I suppose...if anyone emailed me any locations at my email address of showbiznation@yahoo.com, could you please send them to me again or post them here in this thread?? It seems that in all the chaos of my computer kicking the bucket I forgot to keep the address active and Yahoo threw everything out for me.

[SmcDE]

HI.. I did not read thru all the replies, but I did see someone mentioned a Wilmington DE store. There was also a sbp in Dover De.

Showbiz Pizza Place
3601 Silverside Road
Wilmington (http://foodio54.com/restaurants/Wilmington_DE), DE (http://foodio54.com/bystate/DE) 19801
(302) 478-4420

Chuck E Cheese
1275 N Dupont Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-9881

ETA both are now cec's, same locations to my knowledge.

[junebug09az]

Was Laurel the only Showbiz location in Maryland???

[dheineCECfan]

Also: What ShowBiz location was this address according to an SPP commercial I saw on YouTube?: W. 22nd. and Freeway

[RAE1976]

There were 2 Showbiz Pizzas in Oklahoma City. On I-240 and Walker Ave. at the TownSouth Shopping Cntr. and at 6817 NW Expressway. There was one in Tulsa also at 7108 S. Memorial Dr. The one on I-240 and the one in Tulsa was the 2 I was at the most.

All 3 Oklahoma stores are CEC now.

[terry67401]

Hello again, fellow members...

I am pleased to announce that I spent a good four hours plus last night putting together all of the locations that I have been able to confirm. The majority of this has, of course, come from all of you that have posted locations within this thread and for that, I can't thank you enough. I have confirmed the addresses of about 80 locations. I have also another 65 locations that I am trying to get addresses for or confirm addresses for. I also need to confirm a few locations that did not become CEC's or that did become CEC's, but closed later on. With the information I have, I am planning on updating the list on the Wiki hopefully starting tomorrow. In the meantime, I have gone back over several of the postings on this thread and I have some questions for some of you:

Larry the Tech: You posted two Virginia locations. You list the current CEC location on Lishelle in Virginia Beach as a former SPP. I just noticed that someone listed Lynnhaven Place on the Wiki. Can you clear this up for me?? Thanks!!

Menutia: On your list you have a Chicago location of 8630 S. Lafayette. Do you know what is currently at that location and what does the intersection in parenthesis (87th and Dan Ryan Expressway) mean?? Thanks!!

arenafoot: Do you, by chance, have the exact address for the location on General McArthur Blvd in Algier, LA that you spoke of?? Do you know what is at the location now?? Thanks!!

chucki233: Do you, by chance, have the exact address for the Burnet Rd location in Austin, Texas and what, if anything, is at that location presently?? Thank you!!

bzier: You mentioned a location in Visalia, CA that possibly had a 3 stage. Do you know if this is a former SPP location and if so, do you have the address?? Thanks!!

Perry or CEC Kid Check: I looked at the map of the Vestavia, AL location and I think its fairly easy to see which buillding it is. Do either of you know of the exact address of this building and what is currently in it?? Thank you!!

Chuckette566: Did you ever take a photo of that Baton Rouge location?? Can you confirm the exact address for me please?? Thank you!!

Aside from that, I am asking all members for their continued help to complete this list. As of right now, I am needing addresses for the following locations:

Mobile, AL
Birmingham, AL (Midfield - now possibly a Family Dollar Store)
Birmingham, AL (Vestavia - Highway 31)
Birmingham, AL (Roebuck - Roebuck Parkway)
Denver, CO
Englewood, CO
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Orlando, FL (West 436 Highway & Spring Oaks)
Bloomingdale, IL
Joliet, IL
Park Ridge, IL
Peoria, IL
Mount Prospect, IL
East Saint Louis, ILL
Bloomington, IL
Decatur, IL
Tinley Park, IL
Cedar Falls, IA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Topeka, KS
Wichita, KS (2 Locations)
Baton Rouge, LA
New Orleans, LA
Algiers, LA
Alexandria, LA
Laurel, MD
Grand Rapids, MI (Plainfield Avenue)
Bloomington, MN (Southtown/Penn Ave)
Brooklyn Center, MN (Brookdale/John Martin Drive)
Saint Paul (White Bear Ave & Midway at Lexington Ave)
Saint Louis, MO (Lindbergh Blvd & one other location)
Billings, MT
Omaha, NE
North Hackensack, NJ
Watchung, NJ
Latham, NY
Charlotte, NC
Fayetteville, NC
Greensboro, NC
Johnstown, PA (Scalp Ave)
Myrtle Beach, SC (2 Locations)
Memphis, TN
Johnson City, TN (Possibly Bristol Hwy at or near at a Food Lion Store)
Knoxville, TN (I have 120 Morrell Road which is a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, but I want to confirm this)
Austin, TX (Burnet Road)
San Antonio, TX (I have one location and I am needing the other)
Waco, TX
Dallas, TX (I have them all except for the BJ location from Snap's posting...anyone know what that is???)
Pasadena, TX
Houston, TX (I have three and there are two others I am needing)
Chesapeake, VA
Lynchburg, VA
Milwaukee, WI (27th St...also was a Blockbuster Store...next to Kmart)
Atlanta, GA (Merchants Walk)
Atlanta, GA (Norcross...not sure if this is IN Norcross or if thats a street name)
Augusta, GA
Bakersfield, CA
Chino, CA
El Cajon, CA
Escondido, CA
Carrolton, TX (Josey & Beltline)
Fort Worth, TX (I have 5014 Trail Lake Dr...can someone confirm this??)
Indianapolis, IN (I have one location and I am needing the other)
Anderson, IN
Kansas City, MO (105th & Metcalf)
Port Arthur, TX

I am also needing to know what these locations are currently as well!! I fairly certain that is not even all of them, so PLEASE keep posting any locations that you know or anything that you might be able to dig up for me. I was wondering if maybe Aaron at CEI might still have a list floating around his offices somewhere.

Before I forget and I think I might have asked on thread for this. There is a Showbiz Commercial that features actor Dick Van Patten. At the end of the commercial, a location of West 22nd & Freeway is displayed on the screen. Does anyone know where this is and what the exact address is??

Thanks again for the all info you have posted here. Please keep 'em coming and watch the Wiki for updates soon!!

-Terry

[Larry the Tech]

Larry the Tech: You posted two Virginia locations. You list the current CEC location on Lishelle in Virginia Beach as a former SPP. I just noticed that someone listed Lynnhaven Place on the Wiki. Can you clear this up for me?? Thanks!!

Sure

This CEC really runs along Lynnhaven Place, which is a highway, but the road you take to get into CEC would be Lishelle Place. The CEC website lists it as Lishelle Place, but looking at a satellite photo, you see its on both.

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS301US301&q=chuck%20e%20cheese%20virginia%20beach&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl

[terry67401]

Thanks, Larry, for clearing that up. I'll get that fixed on the Wiki when I start the updates!! You know anything on the Chesapeake or Lynchburg locations??

[terry67401]

Add to the list above...need to confirm addresses for these as well...

Panama City, FL
Milwaukee, WI (76th & Good Hope...possibly a Home Depot Store)

Thanks!!

[Larry the Tech]

Thanks, Larry, for clearing that up. I'll get that fixed on the Wiki when I start the updates!! You know anything on the Chesapeake or Lynchburg locations??
Well, Chesapeake still has a 3-stage, and they have a 2-stage location also. Lynchburg is closed. That's basicially all I know. Chesapeake is about 2 hours away from me though.

[terry67401]

Do you know which location has the 3-stage?? I assume thats the former SPP location?? Do you have an address for that??

[Larry the Tech]

Do you know which location has the 3-stage?? I assume thats the former SPP location?? Do you have an address for that??
Yeah, that Showbiz is now a CEC, and it has a 3-stage. They are on Peek Trail.

[terry67401]

First of all, thanks Larry for that piece of info. I will add that to my growing list.

Secondly, I am not sure now when I am going to get the updates on the Wiki, if at all. I logged in this morning to do it and low and behold, I no longer have access to update the Wiki. I had to apply to be a writer in hopes that I can do the updates. I am becoming a little agitated with trying to find someway to get this list online for all to view. First I dealt with Wikipedia being a little less than nice to me about it. Then the Wiki came along and that could still work, but I need to be able to access it to do the updates. Keep your fingers crossed, folks, and hopefully I will be able to get it on there. Otherwise if anyone has any other ideas as to where I might be able to post the list, please let me know!!

[bzier]

Well, just in case you get things running again, here's some of the info you've been looking for. I've been to all of these locations, and all were at one time Showbiz.

Mobile Alabama: 710 Downtowner Loop W. (zip code)36609
Visalia California: 4345 W. Noble Avenue(or W. Mineral King Hwy) (zip code)93277
Altamonte Springs(Orlando) Florida: 541 W. Hwy 436 (zip code)32714
Baton Rouge Louisiana: 11324 Boardwalk (zip code)70816
Alexandria Lousiana: 1725 Metro Drive (zip code)71301
Panama City Florida:(now closed) 4432 W. Hwy 98 (zip code)32401

[terry67401]

Thanks a bunch, bzier!! I will add those to my list which is nearing 100. Thats approximately half of the locations I believe. Does anyone know of an exact or approximate number of SPP locations?? I am thinking it was close to 200.

Menutia...you have Bloomington listed here...is that also Illinois or is that Indiana or Minnesota?? Also is Fairview Heights in Illinois??



Really? WOw!!!

I knew about: Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, East St. Louis area; possibly Fairview Hts., Bloomington, & Decatur.

Chicago area had:

Bloomingdale
8630 S. Lafayette (87th & Dan Ryan Expy)
5030 S. Kedzie
Oaklawn
Naperville
Matteson
Darien
Joliet
Arlington Heights


The first two were the first to go in our area.

Okay everybody...here's what I have done for now. I wanted you all to be able to see what I have so far. I opened up a GeoCities account as a last resort and created a list of former SPP locations that I have accumulated thus far. Here is the link:

http://www.geocities.com/showbiznation/locations.html

If you have any additions, see any errors or discrepancies, please post them here or email me at showbiznation@yahoo.com. I will be happy to correct anything that I have or add anything until such as time as the list is 100% complete and accurate!! Showbiz had approximately 170 locations nationwide, so I obviously still have some work to do!!

At the bottom of the page, I have listed the date of last page update as I am sure this will be an outgoing process. I hope to move the list to the Wiki as soon as I am able to do so. Until then, I will keep updating this link as I obtain information!!

Please let me know what you think and any and all help in completing this list is appreciated and encouraged. Thanks so much for everything!!

[MMBBfan327]

For Wisconsin, don't forget that the CEC's in Appleton and Green Bay were former ShowBiz Pizza's, and the 27th street locaton is just 27th. Layton is down a little ways past it, and is not part of the location.

[Harmony Howlette]

Okay everybody...here's what I have done for now. I wanted you all to be able to see what I have so far. I opened up a GeoCities account as a last resort and created a list of former SPP locations that I have accumulated thus far. Here is the link:

http://www.geocities.com/showbiznation/locations.html

If you have any additions, see any errors or discrepancies, please post them here or email me at showbiznation@yahoo.com. I will be happy to correct anything that I have or add anything until such as time as the list is 100% complete and accurate!! Showbiz had approximately 170 locations nationwide, so I obviously still have some work to do!!

At the bottom of the page, I have listed the date of last page update as I am sure this will be an outgoing process. I hope to move the list to the Wiki as soon as I am able to do so. Until then, I will keep updating this link as I obtain information!!

Please let me know what you think and any and all help in completing this list is appreciated and encouraged. Thanks so much for everything!!
Fullerton, CA...now a CEC

[terry67401]

Thanks for the info!!

[terry67401]

MMBBfan327...I added Green Bay to the list, but I ran into a curious issue with the Appleton location. There is no CEC in Appleton currently listed on the CEC website's location search!! I did add Appleton to this list. I just don't have an address. Could I possibly have your assistance with this?? Thanks!!

[bzier]

The store IS in Appleton, but on the website it is listed as Grand Chute. It's the same place.

[terry67401]

Okay thanks for clearing that up!!

[zeekeroo]

The Laurel, MD location is now a CEC (#83) and it's address is/was 936 Fairlawn Ave. Laurel, MD 20707

[CEC3066]

7590 Amador Valley Blvd,Dublin,CA (now a Anderson's TV store a funny thing though a CEC that opened up in the mid 90's sits right across the street from this place

[rolfedewolfe]

The location you have for Birmingham, AL (Vestavia) is 500 Olde Towne Rd
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. It is now CEC.

[Flash Kid]

If this isn't added yet:

Chuck E Cheese
711 W Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Former SPP!

FK

[IggyPop1990]

I Know some ShowBiz Locations in MICHIGAN

1. 1050 W Argyle Jackson, MI (Now Big Lots)

2. 3489 Miller Rd. Flint, MI (Now CEC's)

3. 24399 Michigan Ave Dearborn, MI (Now CEC'S)

[RAFE CEC Guy]

Woops. Sorry about the whole thing with the wiki. I opened up just the locations section for continuous additions. The rest of the wiki is still under construction.

[terry67401]

No prob...sorry I have been absent from the board and unable to do updates for the last few weeks. Life threw me a curve ball yet again and threw everything off yet again. Anyway, I am planning on updating the list and getting it on the Wiki by Friday!! Thanks again to everyone for all the info!! Thanks RAFE, for opening it up for me!! Much appreciated!!

[terry67401]

Okay folks...I finally got the list on the Wiki updated!! Please continue to shoot me information as the list is still far from being complete. As long as I am able to update this list, I will do so. The link is below!! Enjoy!!!

http://showbizpizza.wetpaint.com/page/Former+Locations

[terry67401]

Updates and information continue to be added to the list on the Wiki!! Check it out and please keep sending me any info you might have!!

[IggyPop1990]

I Heard that there was A CECPTT Location in Taylor, MI
It Became "Tilts' N' Tumbles" & Later Closes in 2001

[IggyPop1990]

I Know some ShowBiz Locations in MICHIGAN

1. 1050 W Argyle Jackson, MI (Now Big Lots)

2. 3489 Miller Rd. Flint, MI (Now CEC's)

3. 24399 Michigan Ave Dearborn, MI (Now CEC'S)
Pig Lots is more Like it!!:)):)):)):))

[terry67401]

I am still continually making updates to the Wiki. Please continue to check it as I am still hoping, by some miracle, to complete it!! Thanks a bunch!!

[Isabella Price]

Is the former SPP location in El Cajon a CEC or something else?

[terry67401]

I'm actually not sure about the El Cajon SPP. I have been trying to get some more concrete information on that.

[jlamay]

We had two Showbiz locations in Cincinnati, that was not hard or long of a drive for me to get to. I don't know what their addresses were. I am sure now that they are Chuck E. Cheese.

[terry67401]

Hello everyone!! Just wanted to let you know that the list on the Wiki has been updated again. The is the first updates I have added to it in about two months!! Another thanks to all the helpful info. A big thank you to Menutia for all the valuable info on the Illinois locations!!

To jlamay, as far as Cincinnati, you would be correct as far as one location is concerned. There was a location at 8801 Colerain, which is now indeed a Chuck E. Cheese location. As far as a second one, I have not come across any info on another, but I will indeed look into it!!

[MechaCory]

I am still continually making updates to the Wiki. Please continue to check it as I am still hoping, by some miracle, to complete it!! Thanks a bunch!!

There's a wiki? ooh, whats the url? Is it both CEC/PTT and Showbiz/RAE?
I always thought itd be cool to have a CEC/PTT/Showbiz/RAE/Zapps/etc
wiki as comprehensive as this one: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/

[darthripley]

Aside from that, I am asking all members for their continued help to complete this list. As of right now, I am needing addresses for the following locations:

Dallas, TX (I have them all except for the BJ location from Snap's posting...anyone know what that is???)

Carrolton, TX (Josey & Beltline)

The one in Dallas was at Monfort & I-635 known as LBJ - sorry I don't know the exact address, it was in a strip shopping center w/a Target.
It was an original 3 Stage that became a CEC. The stage was made into a unique concept with 2 screens on either side of Chuck in a submarine type pod. I know there is mention of it on this site & I have seen vids of it.
About a month ago my husband & I noticed it closed & the store was gutted.
The CEC moved to be a free standing store outside of Valley View Mall 1/4 mile or less down the road.

I'm unfamilar with the one that you have listed at Josey & Beltline - I can only tell you that there is an Autozone there now.

Good luck with the list!

[Harmony Howlette]

The one in Dallas was at Monfort & I-635 known as LBJ - sorry I don't know the exact address, it was in a strip shopping center w/a Target.
It was an original 3 Stage that became a CEC. The stage was made into a unique concept with 2 screens on either side of Chuck in a submarine type pod. I know there is mention of it on this site & I have seen vids of it.

Yeah, the Awesome Adventure Machine! Did you ever have a chance to see it in person? I know this is probably a long shot, but if so, do you have any pics/video?

[CEC3066]

here ya go Harmony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onXKStntxIs&feature=PlayList&p=E1394593BB9B8715&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aX6h7VK_e8&feature=PlayList&p=B2EFA9B85B340653&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REoweRiVmqo

[Harmony Howlette]

here ya go Harmony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onXKStntxIs&feature=PlayList&p=E1394593BB9B8715&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aX6h7VK_e8&feature=PlayList&p=B2EFA9B85B340653&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REoweRiVmqo
Yeah, I've seen those...there have to be more out there!

[Rockafirecheese]

Yeah, I've seen those...there have to be more out there!



Well with that show being a test stage, and being so rare, and it only being at one store, I would think any pictures/videos of that show would have surfaced already. But thinking optimistically there may still be some new footage of that show out there somewhere on somebodys camera.

[Harmony Howlette]

Well with that show being a test stage, and being so rare, and it only being at one store, I would think any pictures/videos of that show would have surfaced already. But thinking optimistically there may still be some new footage of that show out there somewhere on somebodys camera.

Think about how many kids with overzealous parents armed with video cameras surely had their birthdays there, though...

Yeah, I'm a little obsessed with the AAM, what of it? [-(

[rockafirefan4ever]

Hey... I am osessed with the Three Stage... t is OK... (Sympathy)

[triplehpotter7]

I just came back home from Dallas, TX, today. I've been there over the last 4 days, and the last thing I did was visit the CEC Redbird location on the south side of the DFW metroplex. That location was a former Showbiz, that still has the 3-stage MMBB intact.

OMG.

I was expecting something horrid, an overall terrible visit, from everything I've heard... but I was pleasantly surprised! The MMBB show, despite not being FULLY functional, it was still operating well enough to be considered passable and enjoyable to watch. I think they took especially good care of the Chuck E. bot.

I had so much fun, it brought back a lot of good memories when I went to SPP and and the few times I went to CEC post-CU. I took pics and videos of my experience, too! I enjoyed it so much, I even got a CEC t-shirt with my tickets--I'm so glad a boys' XL size shirt still fits me, since I'm a small guy. XD Overall, it DEFINITELY made me REAL hungry to see the RAE again. That'd be the ULTIMATE! But for the here and now, being at that historical CEC was rather enthralling.

The staff was even really friendly, too! The cashier, Deedria, knew so much history of the store and the show, I found it amazing. Me, my bro, and one of my best friends who went got treated so well from start to finish; from the Kid Check at the start, to the ordering, to the show, to the games (I'm so old-school, I took the tickets to the counter. They showed me the ticket counter machine LOL), to the food (which tastes EXACLY like how I remember it), to the time we left. I'm gonna call CEC corporate and put in a very good word about this store! I want them to keep this store's 3-stage intact and keep it in good condition. This was quite the highlight of the day, topping an awesome trip to Dallas! ^_^

[Harmony Howlette]

Oh yeah, I was at Redbird last month! The staff there is pretty cool.

[triplehpotter7]

Even Chuck E. was friendly. When me and the group were sitting in the main showroom, Chuck emerged from the long back narrow hallway, and I stood up cheering, throwing my hands in the air, "IT'S CHUCK E. CHEESE!!!" Dude looked over at me, and threw up two fingers, nodding his head into the air, greeting me like a gangsta as he moseyed over to greet the little kids. IT WAS AWESOME. ^_____^

[sribb43]

The one in Dallas was at Monfort & I-635 known as LBJ - sorry I don't know the exact address, it was in a strip shopping center w/a Target.
It was an original 3 Stage that became a CEC. The stage was made into a unique concept with 2 screens on either side of Chuck in a submarine type pod. I know there is mention of it on this site & I have seen vids of it.
About a month ago my husband & I noticed it closed & the store was gutted.
The CEC moved to be a free standing store outside of Valley View Mall 1/4 mile or less down the road.

I'm unfamilar with the one that you have listed at Josey & Beltline - I can only tell you that there is an Autozone there now.

Good luck with the list!

I used to frequent those 2 showbiz's living in carrollton all these years. The one on Josey and Beltline I believe was converted to a

US Toy Company
1927 E Belt Line Rd
Carrollton, TX 75206

Since then I think it is now a Asian grocery store. That autozone is on the corner of the strip mall and was next to a Pancho's mexican resturant, then came Showbiz/

I still drive by the one on LBJ and monfort...it is a vancant building nowadays but the outline of the building is just like it was when SB was there. I still imagine the Showbiz sign everytime i look at it:((

[pizzacam]

Ohhhh... ok so that's where the Showbiz was on Josey Ln... We have a friend from this forum that lives in that area and I've noticed that area when we're visiting him...

Like Harmony Howlette mentioned, a few of us from the forum were up there in the DFW area the first week on May... :-?

[CEC3066]

here's a fact i bet few of you know: Redbird was the first TX CEC to switch to DVD

[terry67401]

Sribb...you brought a tear to my eye. I am the same way whenever I drive by the building here that once was SPP. I'll add your info to the Wiki list asap! Thanks!!

[terry67401]

The one in Dallas was at Monfort & I-635 known as LBJ - sorry I don't know the exact address, it was in a strip shopping center w/a Target.
It was an original 3 Stage that became a CEC. The stage was made into a unique concept with 2 screens on either side of Chuck in a submarine type pod. I know there is mention of it on this site & I have seen vids of it.
About a month ago my husband & I noticed it closed & the store was gutted.
The CEC moved to be a free standing store outside of Valley View Mall 1/4 mile or less down the road.

I'm unfamilar with the one that you have listed at Josey & Beltline - I can only tell you that there is an Autozone there now.

Good luck with the list!

I found that Josey & Beltline locations on an old SPP print add that used to be on the SP.com website, so I know it existed at one point and now new info on it has been posted and I am currently researching. I will have the most accurate and current info posted to the Wiki as soon as I can verify it!!

[The Ratman]

Speaking of Former SPP's, heres an interesting perspective of the old Escondido CEC being demolished in mid April 2006.

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=phn9pj577vvp&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=5963179&encType=1

[bzier]

That's always a sad sight...I hate seeing old stores torn down. I'd rather see the new ones go byebye instead! lol

[mitzirocks]

I think one of the showbiz's was converted into a place called circus pizza.

[terry67401]

Hey Ratman...

Was that Escondido CEC a former SPP?? What sits on that lot now??

[CEC3066]

i just found the address of the ShowBiz in Vallejo. it's 235 Larwin Plaza (although the addresses in that shopping center have different addresses today)

[terry67401]

CEC3066, thanks so much for the info. If I might ask, where did you find that address??

[CEC3066]

i forget where I initally saw it but just found it http://dine.com/p/dine/info.cgi?site=dine&RID=12219

[zeekeroo]

i forget where I initally saw it but just found it http://dine.com/p/dine/info.cgi?site=dine&RID=12219

uhh, is that store still open??? Why does it have a listing on a website like that?

[CEC3066]

idk i know for a fact it's closed it opened in lik '81 or '82 and only lasted 2 years.

[StaceyDJ]

I found that Josey & Beltline locations on an old SPP print add that used to be on the SP.com website, so I know it existed at one point and now new info on it has been posted and I am currently researching. I will have the most accurate and current info posted to the Wiki as soon as I can verify it!!

Hi Terry:

I used to live in Farmers Branch, TX (near Carrolton) and remember going to the SPP at Josey and Beltline. It was located in a strip mall and I do believe it is located in the area where US Toy is (or was, it's been a couple years since I have been there so I'm not sure if US Toy is still there or not). It was between a Sears Surplus Store and a grocery store. I had my 7th birthday party there in September of 1982, and I believe it had just opened at that time (I do remember it was fairly new). It closed down about 2 years later (I think in early 1984). After it closed, we started going to the one at Montford and I-635 (LBJ Freeway). I remember that location having the RAE for a long time, then they switched over to MMBB in the late 80's (even when they were still "Showbiz Pizza". I moved in 1985 but still remember visiting that location when we would go back to Dallas to visit. I do remember that location still being open (as a CEC) in 2001, but when I went back to Dallas in 2005 it had closed and a newer CEC (with the studio C concept) was built right down the street. The last time I was in Dallas (August 2007) the building was still vacant.

I also have some informaiton on a couple of other locations. In 1985, I moved to Panama City, FL and we finally got a SPP in 1987. In 1990, it was still a SPP with the old logo and still had the RAE. In fact I have a video from when my 8th grade class took a field trip there in April of 1990. Sometime between 1990 and 1992, it converted to a CEC and closed in either 2006 or 2007. The building remained vacated for a couple of years, but the last time I was in Panama City (a month ago) the building had been torn down and a hotel was being constructed on the property.

There was also a location in Lynchburg, VA on Highway 29 (Lynchburg Expressway). I am not sure if it is still there, but it was a Showbiz Pizza (with CEC characters) in 1994, but converted to a CEC the last time I was there in 1999.

Hope that helps you out.

[J E Smith]

Hi Terry:

I There was also a location in Lynchburg, VA on Highway 29 (Lynchburg Expressway). I am not sure if it is still there, but it was a Showbiz Pizza (with CEC characters) in 1994, but converted to a CEC the last time I was there in 1999.

Hope that helps you out.

If that's the location I'm thinking about, there's nothing there in the space now. I don't think that one got turned into a CEC, instead it got turned into "Billy Joe's" Ice Cream or something like that, which is now out of business (Strange, but before it got turned into Billy Joe's I thought it was a Billy Bob's Wonderland...I remember seeing Billy Bob on the sign at one point, but then all the old signage was blocked by black tarp and it was Billy Joe's the next time I passed through after that)

[ItWasOurTime1980]

If someone mentioned MN locations already I apologize for the redundancy but here's what I recall and know.

SPP in St. Paul was located on Lexington Pkwy and Fuller St (one or two blocks south of Unversity Ave). At some point around, I want to say 1987 or so it became a Franks Nursery and Craft Store. Now it has be come an ORiley's Auto Parts store...but the building never changed.

There was another SPP in Roseville, and I can't remember if it was on Snelling Ave, right before County Road B, across from Har Mar- or if it was where the other Franks was, up on Fairview Ave and Co Rd. B. I want to say it was the latter because the building still looked the same (and has since been bulldozed and is now some hoity toity golfing store).

There was a SPP in Maplewood on White Bear Ave, and I am pretty sure it was across from Maplewood Mall, and is now a PETCO.

I have such good memories of ShowBiz. I was really little- I remember climbing on the stage and grabbing at Mitzi's pompoms and my mom making me get down, and crying my eyes out. I remember the Tron game too...

[andyfilius]

Hello, I live in Michigan. We had a Showbiz Pizza on Alpine Avenue in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was there through the 80's and through Concept Unification. I drive by its location every day, makes me sad to look at it. It became CEC in the mid 90's, and CEC is still located just across the street. So Grand Rapids must be a good money making area. Message me if you'd like more details. I'd like to see a map created with dots for every location, would be great to see. I've read so much with people in the southern states. Always wondered if we had the northern most location here in Grand Rapids.

[terry67401]

Goodness...that's the last time I go almost a month away from the board. Thanks so much everyone for all that valuable info. I will do as best I can to get the Wiki list updated. I am enjoying this very much. The more I read about the old locations, the more it makes me think about my old store very much. I see it every night on my way to work. Anyway, I will update the list with all of this great. Thanks a millions, folks, and please please keep it coming. Oh, and andyfilius, your map idea is a great one. I just have no idea how to do it. Anyone have any suggestions??

[The Ratman]

Sorry I took so long to reply, but that location in that aerial I posted was a Showbiz, and it remained a CEC until 2006 when it was demolished for a Lowe's.

[terry67401]

Just a quick note to let you folks know that I have updated the Wiki list again. Please continue to pass along any info you have.

Ratman...thanks for the info. As it turns out, I already had it on the Wiki and completely spaced it off. Thanks again anyway.

Andyfilius...As far as Grand Rapids, I have a location on 28th Street SE, which is now a CEC location and I also have a Grand Rapids North location, possibly on Plainfield Ave NE. I have not previously seen anything on Alpine Ave. Is it possible there were three locations in Grand Rapids or am I mistaken?? Can u clear this up for me?? Thanks!!

[StaceyDJ]

Another former SPP location I forgot to mention was in Fort Walton Beach / Mary Esther, Florida. It was located on Mary Esther cutoff (just up the street from the Santa Rosa Mall, at least I think that street is Mary Esther Cutoff). Anyway, it was a SPP in the 1980's then got converted to a CEC. It finally closed down about 3 years ago and I'm not sure what is there now. I also remember a SPP in Dothan, Alabama on Ross Clark Circle. I believe it was converted to a CEC but I am not sure if it is still in operation today. (I found an old VHS tape with a SPP comercial showcasing that location which is what reminded me of it).

[terry67401]

StaceyDJ...anyway you could look at that tape again and see if it shows the full address?? Thanks in advance!!

[terry67401]

Stacey DJ...one more thing real quick...I do have some info on the Mary Esther location. From what I have found, it was indeed on Mary Esther Cutoff, but I do not have the exact address!! Was that the only one in the Fort Walton Beach area??

[dbpotts]

Terry,
There was over 320 locations at one time, both corporate and franchise.
Doug

[terry67401]

Doug...

Thanks for the info...what or where did you find this info?? Every single thing I have come across over the past two years have shown between 200 - 215 locations. I was honestly beginning to wonder if the number was larger. I wish I could get a hold of a complete list. Anyone anywhere with any ideas or suggestions, please let me know!!

Thanks,
Terry

[terry67401]

Hi all...

Still updating the list as often as I can...have recently been in touch with Aaron Fechter via email and he is looking around the CEI offices for me to see if he has a full location list. Hopefully, with any info he has, I can put the finishing touches on this list. In the meantime, please continue to post whatever info you can. Thanks a milllion everyone!!!

[MajorMagic]

Hi all...

Still updating the list as often as I can...have recently been in touch with Aaron Fechter via email and he is looking around the CEI offices for me to see if he has a full location list. Hopefully, with any info he has, I can put the finishing touches on this list. In the meantime, please continue to post whatever info you can. Thanks a milllion everyone!!!
That would be nice to know. I still feel a little let down there wasn't one in my town at all. Seemed like everywhere else had one but not Toledo. They just sorta forgot us (or a franchisee didn't feel like dealing here either).

[jabrackin]

Showbiz Pizza Pizza In the "Foothills Mall" Located in Maryville, TN opened in 1983 when the mall was built and closed in 1993 and was vacant for awhile until chucky cheese moved in the facility in 1994-1995... Chucky Cheese was going strong until 1999-2000 then it closed... they now have divided up the space for more stores. If I am thinking correctly, the Rock-a-Fire band robots were used for some time in Christmas performances the mall put on. It has been a few years back since they have had them in the show so I don't know if the mall still has the robots or not. I remember going to many Birthday Parties at the Showbiz Pizza and playing in the arcade. What I do remember most is that my parents told me the reason we didn't go more than we did was becaues the pizza was so expensive.

[looneybird78]

Terry,
There was over 320 locations at one time, both corporate and franchise.
Doug

There was NEVER that many Showbiz locations. CEI never produced that amount of shows. After 200 (ish) stores that was it. CEI had 2 more production runs in process when they got the word there would be no more stores. Those 80 remaining shows is what CEI has been selling now for 20+ years. For a grand total of 280 sets of RAE characters.

[PaulKTF]

There was NEVER that many Showbiz locations. CEI never produced that amount of shows. After 200 (ish) stores that was it. CEI had 2 more production runs in process when they got the word there would be no more stores. Those 80 remaining shows is what CEI has been selling now for 20+ years. For a grand total of 280 sets of RAE characters.

Wow- I knew the 200 number; but I didn't think there were 80 more shows on top of that which had to be unloaded- I always thought it was around 20 for some reason.

And now he's down to one.

[CECPizza]

Hi Terry:

I used to live in Farmers Branch, TX (near Carrolton) and remember going to the SPP at Josey and Beltline. It was located in a strip mall and I do believe it is located in the area where US Toy is (or was, it's been a couple years since I have been there so I'm not sure if US Toy is still there or not). It was between a Sears Surplus Store and a grocery store. I had my 7th birthday party there in September of 1982, and I believe it had just opened at that time (I do remember it was fairly new). It closed down about 2 years later (I think in early 1984). After it closed, we started going to the one at Montford and I-635 (LBJ Freeway). I remember that location having the RAE for a long time, then they switched over to MMBB in the late 80's (even when they were still "Showbiz Pizza". I moved in 1985 but still remember visiting that location when we would go back to Dallas to visit. I do remember that location still being open (as a CEC) in 2001, but when I went back to Dallas in 2005 it had closed and a newer CEC (with the studio C concept) was built right down the street. The last time I was in Dallas (August 2007) the building was still vacant.

I also have some informaiton on a couple of other locations. In 1985, I moved to Panama City, FL and we finally got a SPP in 1987. In 1990, it was still a SPP with the old logo and still had the RAE. In fact I have a video from when my 8th grade class took a field trip there in April of 1990. Sometime between 1990 and 1992, it converted to a CEC and closed in either 2006 or 2007. The building remained vacated for a couple of years, but the last time I was in Panama City (a month ago) the building had been torn down and a hotel was being constructed on the property.

There was also a location in Lynchburg, VA on Highway 29 (Lynchburg Expressway). I am not sure if it is still there, but it was a Showbiz Pizza (with CEC characters) in 1994, but converted to a CEC the last time I was there in 1999.

Hope that helps you out.

did you said "Video"?? than could you please upload it??

[Sandman]

For what it's worth, I know where a Showbiz used to be: 1905 W Loop 281, Longview, Texas. There's a Big Lots there now, but I can't remember if that took the space or if they diced up the space for the smaller shops. I don't have a single photo of the place, though I did have a birthday party there once (maybe 9 years). They had a full-on three stage setup and the showroom was dark. How many folks remember peeking through the center curtain to be faced by Fatz staring at you? Scary stuff! ;) The spot was closed down, not converted to a CEC.

[PaulKTF]

For what it's worth, I know where a Showbiz used to be: 1905 W Loop 281, Longview, Texas. There's a Big Lots there now, but I can't remember if that took the space or if they diced up the space for the smaller shops. I don't have a single photo of the place, though I did have a birthday party there once (maybe 9 years). They had a full-on three stage setup and the showroom was dark. How many folks remember peeking through the center curtain to be faced by Fatz staring at you? Scary stuff! ;) The spot was closed down, not converted to a CEC.

Fatz seems to have terrified an endless number of children. :) You're not alone.

[msuindian]

After it closed, we started going to the one at Montford and I-635 (LBJ Freeway). I remember that location having the RAE for a long time, then they switched over to MMBB in the late 80's (even when they were still "Showbiz Pizza". I moved in 1985 but still remember visiting that location when we would go back to Dallas to visit. I do remember that location still being open (as a CEC) in 2001, but when I went back to Dallas in 2005 it had closed and a newer CEC (with the studio C concept) was built right down the street. The last time I was in Dallas (August 2007) the building was still vacant.Dallas resident here. The building is no longer vacant. The adjacent Target apparently expanded their lease into the former SPP and now uses it as an office. It's pretty silly too because I've been told they only use about 50% of the building and the other half is just nothing.

[captslappy]

The Josey and Beltline location in Carrollton near Farmer's Branch was my store too. I went to Monfort one time and it was the last time I ever went to a Showbiz Pizza. A few years later, the Carrollton Fun Time Pizza opened and I got to enjoy the Rock-afire again for awhile before it got shut down. Fun Time is now a bank. It finally got leased out all these years later about a year or so ago and had sat empty since its closing in 1994 prior to that...

[Empire1983]

Hi everyone, I have been a fan of this site for a long time now, but just never got around to posting anything. But I thought I would throw out some info that I did not see before in this thread. Forgive me if this has already been posted somewhere. I live in Indiana and grew up in Northern Indiana and when I was little we lived about 45 minutes away from a Showbiz located in Logansport Indiana. I did some reasearch and I found out that this location was opened from May 18th, 1983 to September 24th, 1985. It was located along U.S. 24 East in the Logansport Mall parking lot. From the articles I could find it sounds like it was one of the smaller stores in the chain. The town itself only has a population of 17,000 and Cass County has a population of 41,000. The article said that most Showbiz Pizza Places were placed in much larger areas, which from my other visits to Showbiz sounds about right. I emailed a lady that used to work at the mall across the lot and she remembers that the store was one of the locations that held the mini stage. She said a friend of hers in now owns the band members. The article also said that along with the Logansport location closing, the Anderson, IN and West Lafayette, IN also closed during this time in 1985. That left the nearest Showbiz Pizza Places in South Bend, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne (all Indiana). I know we went to the South Bend location at least once and drove past the Fort Wayne location (it was on a Sunday and my parents told me Billy Bob was at church so we couldn't stop) and the main location we attended was the Joliet, IL location because my aunt and uncle lived there. The store in Logansport became an Aldi grocery store and a KB Toy Store. I think it now holds a food place called China Gardens (something like this) and a BMV office. I hope this helps and wasn't too much info. Keep up the awesome work!

[RetroGirl]

Hi everyone, I have been a fan of this site for a long time now, but just never got around to posting anything. But I thought I would throw out some info that I did not see before in this thread. Forgive me if this has already been posted somewhere. I live in Indiana and grew up in Northern Indiana and when I was little we lived about 45 minutes away from a Showbiz located in Logansport Indiana. I did some reasearch and I found out that this location was opened from May 18th, 1983 to September 24th, 1985. It was located along U.S. 24 East in the Logansport Mall parking lot. From the articles I could find it sounds like it was one of the smaller stores in the chain. The town itself only has a population of 17,000 and Cass County has a population of 41,000. The article said that most Showbiz Pizza Places were placed in much larger areas, which from my other visits to Showbiz sounds about right. I emailed a lady that used to work at the mall across the lot and she remembers that the store was one of the locations that held the mini stage. She said a friend of hers in now owns the band members. The article also said that along with the Logansport location closing, the Anderson, IN and West Lafayette, IN also closed during this time in 1985. That left the nearest Showbiz Pizza Places in South Bend, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne (all Indiana). I know we went to the South Bend location at least once and drove past the Fort Wayne location (it was on a Sunday and my parents told me Billy Bob was at church so we couldn't stop) and the main location we attended was the Joliet, IL location because my aunt and uncle lived there. The store in Logansport became an Aldi grocery store and a KB Toy Store. I think it now holds a food place called China Gardens (something like this) and a BMV office. I hope this helps and wasn't too much info. Keep up the awesome work!


Okay, your mom gets some serious points for creativity! Love the "Billy Bob's at church" strategy. So, there's a set of mini stage characters floating around in Indiana, eh? Cool!

[pizzacam]

Drumroll please Dook...

Here's a little gift from Billy Bob Brockali and I, a list of the company owned SPP locations as of August 1982!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y31REHBO

Enjoy!

[chucke]

Does anybody know if the Ferview Heights, IL store used to be a SPP?

[terry67401]

Sorry folks that I've been away from the board for so long. Some nice info has been posted since my last visit...

Looneybird78 ... never thought there was that many locations...that number always sounded way too high!!

sandman, msuindian, captslappy, empire1983...thanks for the great info, you guys are awesome!!

Gabe...thanks for uploading that list!! I don't know where you found that, but thanks a billion!! That will help me a ton 'til Aaron gets back to me!! That list will be a great help to me!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Thanks to everyone...please keep 'em coming!!

[WickedWonder1]

I can't look up addresses for you right now (work in the morn!) but according to the wiki, you have two Indianapolis locations. We had 4, all of them standing today as CECs. There is one in Castleton, a northern suburb (would be an Indy address, possibly on E 82nd St) and one in Greenwood, a neighboring town to the south of Indy. Both of those are studio C now, as opposed to the other locations on East Washington and W 38th, both with 3 stages.

[terry67401]

Wicked...

The Wiki list is far from complete and i have a goal of getting it done with 100% accuracy...I'm more than happy to get the locations up that you mentioned in due time. If you wanna look up the addresses for me, that would be wonderful. Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks a bunch!!

[theuberbob]

Drumroll please Dook...

Here's a little gift from Billy Bob Brockali and I, a list of the company owned SPP locations as of August 1982!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y31REHBO

Enjoy!

From what I recall the Ingram store is the only SPP that was in San Antonio; is that correct? Assuming the San Antonio store in listed there is indeed the Ingram store, that means that on June 10 of this year that store will celebrate its 30th Anniversary! I wonder if they know that? There should be a party of some sort! Maybe get the band spruced up a little for the big event...? :-D

-Bob-

[pizzacam]

LOL yeah it was the only Showbiz Pizza Place in San Antonio... Actually Nick(Billy Bob Brockali) suggested that same thing lol just going to have a pizza and remembering the better times there... :))

[chimchimcheree]

I know there was one in Springfield, but were there any others in Massachusetts?

[chuckecheesefan98]

There are rumors that there was another one that closed up around the late 80's.

[ralphie]

Today I drove by the ShowBiz Pizza Place on 35th & Northern Ave. my grandparents would take me to when I visited them in Phoenix as a kid. It's a Chuck E. Cheese now, but I saw something that caught my eye on the wall. Even though the classic white stucco has been painted over, you can still clearly make out the silhouette of the old ShowBiz sign. I took the picture below:1689

[chimchimcheree]

I have one!
My aunt and my dads girlfriend told me there was one in Fall River MA

[ralphie]

While my mind is on ShowBiz nostalgia, here are the ShowBiz stores I visited as a kid and their current states:

MN:
1. Brooklyn Center, MN at 5939 John Martin Dr.- It closed as ShowBiz in the mid-80s and was an Ethan Allen, an Audio King, then Ultimate Electronics until they just recently went out of business as a company. I even found an online photo of the building from the Audio King era. It still looks like this, just with no sign. They remodeled and wrecked the ShowBiz facade in front when it became Ethan Allen, but you can still see the cookie-cutter free-standing ShowBiz building's brick border, white stucco, and wood trim on the side walls. The wood trim along the top was natural wood color as ShowBiz, though. This is the most unchanged ShowBiz building on the exterior that I am aware of in the country. It was the last ShowBiz to close in MN in '87.

1692

2. St. Paul, MN on White Bear Ave. & Larpenteur in the Hillcrest strip mall- This location only lasted about two years before moving to another part of St. Paul around '84. After ShowBiz moved out of Hillcrest, their space was divided into a video store and a Hallmark store. Now it's vacant along with most of the mall and probably only I can identify the doors that used to be ShowBiz's. This was the biggest ShowBiz in Minnesota, but located in the worst possible neighborhood for an S.P.P.

3. St. Paul (Midway), MN on University Ave. & Fuller- Now nearly unrecognizable as an auto parts store, this was where the Hillcrest store relocated. It was a free-standing new building, but not like all the other free-standing ShowBiz stores. It had an open floor with no wall between the showroom and gameroom, more like current Chuck E. Cheese's. The show also had custom decoration. The sun & moon hid behind giant wooden music notes; the forest motif was not used at all in the center stage. Billy Bob's stage was normal and this was the only ShowBiz where I saw Uncle Klunk. I did not like this store as a kid and apparently I was not in the minority because it closed after only eight months! From what I know, that's still a record for any S.P.P. or C.E.C. Another bad location choice in the Twin Cities.

4. West St. Paul, MN at 1422 S. Robert St.- I never visited this free-standing location as a ShowBiz, but I went there many times after S.P.P. left town and it became Circus Pizza in 1987. Circus was the MN version of ShowBiz and still featured the Rock-afire Explosion until 1998 when C.E.C. came back to town and bought all six Circus stores. The W. St. Paul location, as Circus, looked just like ShowBiz; they did very little to alter it beyond the sign out front (which retained its ShowBiz shape). They even kept the orange ShowBiz carpet and distinct plush orange chairs. All that changed when C.E.C. converted this store in '98 along with the Circuses in Edina (built as Circus) and Blaine (built as Pizza Time Theatre). The other three Circus stores in Brooklyn Park (built as Circus), Burnsville (former P.T.T.), and New Hope (former P.T.T.) were closed by C.E.C. rather than converted.

5. Bloomington, MN in Southtown Mall on Penn Ave.- I never visited this location or knew it existed until years after it closed because we lived on the north side of town. The mall is still there and ShowBiz's section became a video store. You'd never know it was there now since the mall has undergone multiple redesigns. This was the 1st ShowBiz in MN by almost a year.

WI:
1. La Crosse, WI at 4444 St. Rd. 16- After ShowBiz left MN, my parents found there was still a ShowBiz on the state line in WI. They took me there on rare special occasions (since it was over an hour away) until it became a C.E.C. in '91. It's still there as C.E.C.

AZ:
1. Phoenix, AZ at 35th Ave. & Northern Ave.- My grandparents would take me to this free-standing store when I visited them until they and ShowBiz passed away in '91. It's a C.E.C. now, but still looks like a ShowBiz. You can even see the outline of the old ShowBiz sign on the exterior wall. I think it's the only one in AZ that still has the Rock-afire character frames/3-staged C.E.C. show.

2. Mesa, AZ on Alma School Rd.- My grandparents would sometimes take me to this free-standing ShowBiz on the south side of town on the way to/from the airport. The building was very odd on the outside with purple walls that matched the strip mall behind it. It has become a significantly remodeled C.E.C. and no longer has the purple exterior. You would never know it was a ShowBiz now.

CA:
1. Fresno, CA at 3117 W. Shaw Rd.- We went to this strip mall ShowBiz once in the late '80s on a road trip up to Northern CA. They were doing a lot of internal construction, probably the beginnings of turning it over to Chuck E. It's a C.E.C. today.

MD:
1. Laurel, MD at 937 Fairlawn Ave.- We also hit this strip mall location in the late '80s on an East Coast road trip. Like Fresno, they were in the process of slowly converting to C.E.C. I didn't know what was going on at 10 years old, but I thought it was weird they had C.E.C. cups and plates at a ShowBiz... It's still there, but as Chuck E.


I'd never counted until now how many ShowBiz stores I made it to during their brief heyday. Eight (of the ten listed) isn't too bad, I guess. Can anybody beat that?

[ralphie]

Brooklyn Center ShowBiz (referenced in above posting):

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[PaulKTF]

That's very interesting- thanks for the info on the former Circus Pizzas- I always wondered how many of those were former Showbizes.

[CEC3066]

while only 200 shows were installed there may have been more then 200 locations but rather then buy a show for a store a set of bots may have been relocated to another store. I seem to recall the bots that were in the Dublin,CA were moved to a store in Colorado

[ralphie]

One last adendum to my post from a few days ago: here's another photo I found online of what the former Brooklyn Center, MN ShowBiz looks like today. It's an even better shot of the unchanged sides of the building with the typical free-standing ShowBiz brick trim, white stucco, and wood trim on top. It's amazing it hasn't been ShowBiz since 1987, but most of the building has remained unchanged for 30 years.

1703

[WickedWonder1]

Here are the locations for the SPPs in Indianapolis (which, funnily enough, can be found under Chuck E Cheese and Showbiz Pizza Place to this day in our phone books!). We have other CECs now in suburbs, but none of those opened pre 2000.
8109 E Washington St
Indianapolis, IN

8804 US 31 S
Indianapolis, IN

5501 E 82nd St
Castleton, IN

4910 W 38th St
Indianapolis, IN

All are still open now, and two of them (the W 38th St and E Washington locations) are 3 stages.

[terry67401]

Thanks Ralphie, Wicked, and everyone else for the awesome info...I will apply this info to the Wiki list over the next couple of days. I really need to quit staying away from the board for so long!! LOL!!

Ralphie, just one thing real quick...whats amazing is that are still several of these former locations that didn't become CEC storest that still have the same design features that you mentioned...the former location here in Salina still has this as well. Its insane!!

As far as the location with the visible painted over logo...well, if its isn't plainly obvious by this forum and SP.com, Showbiz will never die and its these little things that make me smile!!

[ralphie]

Thanks to the magic of Google maps, I was able to get the shots below of conspicuous former ShowBiz signs still in use. The green one is the W. St. Paul, MN store that has been a ShowBiz, Circus, and Chuck E. Cheese. That sign has seen a lot of action. The other one is from a closed ShowBiz in Salt Lake City. I briefly set foot in this UT store during that awkward phase in the early '90s when some stores were still called ShowBiz, but had the Chuck E. Cheese show instead of the Rock-afire. I turned around and left disappointed.

1725

1726


http://www.showbizpizzaforum.com/cpstyles/darkvision/misc/pencil.png

[terry67401]

Ralphie...do those signs still stand today??

And...

You posted this info recently...

1. Phoenix, AZ at 35th Ave. & Northern Ave.- My grandparents would take me to this free-standing store when I visited them until they and ShowBiz passed away in '91. It's a C.E.C. now, but still looks like a ShowBiz. You can even see the outline of the old ShowBiz sign on the exterior wall. I think it's the only one in AZ that still has the Rock-afire character frames/3-staged C.E.C. show.

Are you sure this isn't 39th Avenue???

[ralphie]

Yes, those ShowBiz sign frames are still up and in-use as you see in the photos.

To answer your other question: I'm positive the Phoenix ShowBiz is on 35th, just north of Northern Ave. I was back there just a few weeks ago. It's the store where you can still see the outline of the ShowBiz sign on the wall.

[terry67401]

Ok...see if you can't get a full address on that for me, if you would please. Thanks a million!

[ralphie]

After further exploiting the magic of Google maps and the online list of former ShowBiz locations, I came up with these photos of conspicuous ShowBiz buildings still standing from around the country. I had thought the closed ShowBiz in Brooklyn Center, MN might be the only largely unchanged ShowBiz exterior left. However, as you can see following, it has at least three cousins. The first ShowBiz building below now serves as an Olive Garden in St. Petersburg, FL. The brick trim along the bottom is a dead giveaway and the general shape of the building has been left unchanged. The second former ShowBiz is now a carpet store in Salina, KS. It even still has the brick trim and white stucco outside. The last facility is now a roller rink (I think) in Arlington, TX. It also still has the ShowBiz brick border and white stucco.

1728

1729

1727

[terry67401]

Ralphie...thats some good detective work there. That Salina location is actually the Showbiz I grew up going to. I still live in Salina and that building still looks like that. Its gone through a few paint jobs and such, but a lot of its original look still remains. I wish I could find a pic of the building when it was still Showbiz.

[terry67401]

Hey Ralphie...I don't know how your taking screen shots from Google Maps, but I got two more locations that still utilize the old Showbiz signs that are quite visible through Google Maps...

1202 Nodak Dr - Fargo, ND
22 Northgate Park - Chattanooga, TN

See if u can good shots of these!!

[ralphie]

Thanks for the tips. I'd seen the Fargo sign, but didn't know about the one in TN. I've also added one from Baton Rouge, LA. They use the smaller, more squat ShowBiz sign shape. Chuck isn't fooling anybody with these minorly redecorated ShowBizes. However, I'm glad they didn't mess with them. It's nice to still see the ShowBiz silhouettes and facades.

1739

1740

1741

[terry67401]

Ralphie...I agree with you 100%!! Thanks again!!

[WickedWonder1]

I finally was able to look at the store list from '82- 3 out of 4 stores that we have in Indianapolis are on here, and I always assumed that the Castleton store opened first- the north side, all hoity-toity and all- but according to the list, it was Lafayette (the west side location), the Castleton and finally East Washington, which is hilarious because that's the CEC that's relocating in November. The Greenwood store opened at some time after the first three, but I wouldn't know when because that was the SPP we visited the least growing up- back in the day Greenwood was like going out of town, pre highway system.

[DerrickTheHedgehog]

I finally was able to look at the store list from '82- 3 out of 4 stores that we have in Indianapolis are on here, and I always assumed that the Castleton store opened first- the north side, all hoity-toity and all- but according to the list, it was Lafayette (the west side location), the Castleton and finally East Washington, which is hilarious because that's the CEC that's relocating in November. The Greenwood store opened at some time after the first three, but I wouldn't know when because that was the SPP we visited the least growing up- back in the day Greenwood was like going out of town, pre highway system.

Wait, Washington is relocating? Then again it is on a bad side of town. It also means ether CU 1 stage or a 3 stage bites the dust.

And Greenwood is now a Studio C.

[chuckecheesefan98]

If they have to relocate a 3-stage, they will replace it with Studio C, no question about it.

[WickedWonder1]

Wait, Washington is relocating? Then again it is on a bad side of town. It also means ether CU 1 stage or a 3 stage bites the dust.

And Greenwood is now a Studio C.
If you're familiar with where Washington is now, near 465- they're going farther east, to Mitthoeffer and Washington, into another strip mall. Even though we didn't really go there as children, I'm still sad. This'll leave Lafayette with the only 3-stage left in Indy. I knew Greenwood was Studio C, but I don't know when they did- haven't been there since the SPP sign came down.

[ralphie]

Look up the Olive Garden on Google maps in Macon, GA (it's the only one). Just like the O.G. in St. Petersburg, FL, it's an obvious former ShowBiz.

[cec080]

If they have to relocate a 3-stage, they will replace it with Studio C, no question about it.

not necessarly you know how wishy washy this company is. they could use the 3 stage bots and move them to create that new 1 stage that we have seen.... it all depends on cost and condition anymore!

[WickedWonder1]

not necessarly you know how wishy washy this company is. they could use the 3 stage bots and move them to create that new 1 stage that we have seen.... it all depends on cost and condition anymore!
I'd be super shocked if this didn't go Studio C. The 3-stage is in really bad shape- management lets kids run all over the stage- Munch's arm is broken from a kid hanging on it, Chuck's mask is pulled down enough that you can see his cylinders move back and forth, etc. The last time we went here everyone was horrified at how bad this has gotten. It's been some years, though- I want to say around '06 with lildook and looneybird78.

[terry67401]

Look up the Olive Garden on Google maps in Macon, GA (it's the only one). Just like the O.G. in St. Petersburg, FL, it's an obvious former ShowBiz.

So I see...thanks!!!

[davyd916]

There was never a ShowBiz in Sacramento only Citrus Heights. The Sacramento has always been a Chuck E Cheese

[sribb43]

The Josey and Beltline location in Carrollton near Farmer's Branch was my store too. I went to Monfort one time and it was the last time I ever went to a Showbiz Pizza. A few years later, the Carrollton Fun Time Pizza opened and I got to enjoy the Rock-afire again for awhile before it got shut down. Fun Time is now a bank. It finally got leased out all these years later about a year or so ago and had sat empty since its closing in 1994 prior to that...


Josey and Beltine location was my stop as well, that was until they closed it and I had to go to the one off Monfort. Fun-Time Pizza was also a great place to go to. I had forgotten that the RAE was there. Kind of sad driving by these locations every now and then and remembering what used to be...

[katydid]

My husband and I recently ate at the Olive Garden in Macon, GA which was supposedly a former Showbiz. There was a little room off to the side of the hostess station and I wondered if it used to be the TV or adult room. The rest of the place was completely open with a bar running down the middle. I couldn't place where the stage could have been. It was kinda sad that I couldn't see any remnants of what it used to be.

[ralphie]

Below is a current-day photo of the outside of the Macon, GA Olive Garden. Take off the green awnings, change the sign back, and it's a ShowBiz again. It still has the white stucco, brick trim, and the entryway is unchanged. I'm almost surprised the "Now Appearing" boxes aren't still there. I'm sure the inside is gutted and unrecognizable as described in the post above, but the outside is less altered than most Chuck E. Cheese stores that began as ShowBiz locations. Cool.

2102

[katydid]

You're right about the outside, now that I look at the photo. We were rushing to get inside, because it was freezing cold that day (for Georgia!) I was looking around the inside, trying to figure out where the stage would have been, and where the games were. I went to that location in the '80's as a kid (I was born in 1980) but my recollection is vague. I remember there being a ball pit, some kiddie rides, and I remember being so SCARED of the Rock-a-fire. Especially Billy Bob! Back then, I thought they were real and that they would come after me! Now I love them! Oh, well. Good memories!

[terry67401]

It is to my understanding that there are a few Olive Garden locations that were once SPP buildings.

[ralphie]

St. Petersburg, FL used to be a ShowBiz too (pictured below).

2135

[cec080]

yep i have to agree both of them look like former spp's! The Saginaw and Flint Michigan CEC's look exactly like those Olive Gardens.

[ajk321]

The adddress I see for Myrtle Beach, SC is 615 LakeArrowhead Dr. But I think the address is now considered 9610 North Kings Hwy, the Galleria shopping center with Kroger.

The Chuck E Cheese at 1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. in Charleston, SC used to be a Showbiz Pizza. I found some neat articles about it from Google News Archives.

This summer, I am visiting family in Minneapolis and Fargo. I can't wait to check out those former Showbiz locations!