My New Video

[MMBBfan327]

I just whipped up a little 'tribute' to CEC, synched up to the '91 version of Chuck E.'s Place. I was a little inspired when I saw Franchize's vid, but this is mostly built up of personal memoirs of the show. Hope you enjoy, as I had to visit 5 stores just to make this!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPWu33GIz-k

[bzier]

Nice tribute video! I recogonized Milwaukee, Rockford, and Madison, what other stores were used in the video? And were those shots of the Balcony stage and C stage part of your collection? If so, which stores were those from?

[MMBBfan327]

I used a few photos from West Allis (the curtains closing at the end, among a few others) and Brookfield (the tux Chuck walkaround). Both the balcony and C-Stage are from Chase, and only the C-Stage is mine. The balcony I found on this site a while back.

[bzier]

So Chase had a C stage? I didn't know that! I thought they had a Rocker stage like West Allis!

[MMBBfan327]

Yeah, I was shocked too! I thought all 3 Milwaukee stores went through the same phases with the shows, but here I find a pic of the C-Stage in an old photo album. It's hard to tell online, but when looking at the actual pic it's quite clear the showroom is the same as when the balcony was there, minus the Band Board. I just wish I could have more pics; Chase is SUCH a great store!

[bzier]

yeah it really is. It's too bad it's in such a ghetto part of Milwaukee now. That store is a huge and beautiful one!

[chuckrules]

Awesome video Ryan! the 1 stage video footage looks awesome!

[bzier]

Umm...to correct you Ryan, there were 4 Milwaukee area stores! West Allis, Milwaukee(Chase), Elmbrook, and Milwaukee(Good Hope Road). I've seen all four in their PTT states...exterior-wise, but only went inside West Allis and Elmbrook while they were PTT's. Good Hope Road's former location now has a Home Depot sitting on the spot the K-Mart and Chuck E's was. That store closed the same time as Elmbrook...And of course you know what happened to Elmbrook.

[MMBBfan327]

I thought Good Hope was a SPP converted to CEC in the '90s? My cousin-in-law said he went there all the time...

Perhaps they were one of the first stores to get CU and just stuck a PTT sign outside?

[MMBBfan327]

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/566485532QnRyRG

Also check out this list from 83, Good Hope's not listed...so if it WERE a PTT it would've opened in the late 80s, which I *think* was quite a rare thing to see as PTT was no longer being used in the late 80s, it was now CEC's Pizza/ShowBiz Pizza. Also I don't think a PTT would open brand new after 83, because that's when PTT went bankrupt. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just trying to get this straight because I think 76th and Good Hope was a SPP to CEC.

[bzier]

I remember going by there in '88 with my dad. It did indeed say Chuck E Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre on the sign...this is where I first met Mister Munch...he was walking around outside of the store! I'll never forget that day.

You may be right about this one being a Showbiz beforehand...but then again people have told me that West Allis was a Showbiz beforehand too, and from what I've gathered, that place was a PTT since day one, so I don't know. Maybe somebody who has actually been inside these stores in the '80's could help us out.

[3stagelover]

My father had one very simular to that one when I was just 3 years old, I guess he lost it.

[MMBBfan327]

You may be right about this one being a Showbiz beforehand...but then again people have told me that West Allis was a Showbiz beforehand too, and from what I've gathered, that place was a PTT since day one, so I don't know. Maybe somebody who has actually been inside these stores in the '80's could help us out.

West Allis has ALWAYS been PTT...for one, it's on the list of PTT stores from '83. Second, there's this commercial that popped up a while back, check this baby out!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnPyjLEh0Sk

Also my cousin-in-law and neighbor both have been to the 76th and Good Hope store, stating it was an SPP.

[MMBBfan327]

You know I'm starting to think maybe 76th and Good Hope was one of those few stores that was a SPP to CEC conversion BEFORE C.U. happened, where they'd gut the RAE and put in like a Rocker or whatever stage. This happened at one in Texas (Irving I think?) That'd also explain the PTT sign as PTT was done with by C.U.

[CEC3066]

alot of stores did that. Citrus Heights<Ca was aRAE ShowBiz then changed to a CEC w/ the Rocker stage and now has a Road stage

[bzier]

Citrus Heights was a Showbiz at one time too? That place screams PTT! I guess there were quite a few out there that were both at some point and time! And you're right Ryan...Irving was indeed a Showbiz before it became a CEC/PTT.

I've seen that video, and I've heard that it's date 1982...but others have told me it came from 1981, so I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking West Allis has been opened since 1981 at least then?
It totally makes sense that Good Hope Rd would have been the Showbiz...the location is on the opposite side of Milwaukee from the PTT's, so they would have a better shot at surviving. The only thing that threw me with that store was the fact that it was right next to K-Mart, just like PTT's often were. I wonder how many Showbiz's were actually in the Milwaukee area, because I've never seen one while it was a Showbiz.

So Wisconsin stores:

Started as PTT's

Milwaukee Chase Ave.
West Allis
Brookfield Elmbrook
Eau Claire

Started as Showbiz's

Madison
LaCrosse
Green Bay
Milwaukee Good Hope Rd.

Any others?

[MMBBfan327]

There was one in Eau Claire? Sweet!

So, I know you're right on the PTTs, but as for Showbiz, one store you're missing is the one that was on 27th street. This store was, like 76th and Good Hope, adjacent to a K-Mart. The store became a Blockbuster Video in the early 90s, and is now vacant. Also, I believe the Appleton CEC was a SPP at one time, as well.

[bzier]

I forgot about Appleton. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was a SPP too! 27th street...another Showbiz? Didn't know a thing about that one!

[MMBBfan327]

Yeah, it was a bigger SPP, the way the building is setup. I'm guessing the reason this wasn't converted to a CEC is because the Chase store is about 12 minutes away. As a Blockbuster, this place was GIGANTIC! I've got pics of the exterior from 2004 or so around here...I'll dig 'em up sometime.

[chuck e cheese fan]

that would be cool to see

[bzier]

I'd love to see them!