Phase 4 Remodel

[RodHouTx]

They have finally started our phase 4 remodel. I think some (if not most) of you guys have gotten your remodel already. It will be interesting to see how small the showroom is going to get - games are going to go quite a ways down into the showroom (way past where the balcony used to be). And they are going to squeeze a table/chairs in the hallway that goes to the techroom and restrooms (they removed the wall between the showroom and that hallway). So the showroom doesn't really have borders anymore. That is going to be weird! You will have about 2 feet to squeeze through to get down the hall to the restroom and tech room. Maybe I'll snap some pictures for you guys. It will be cool to see a lot more games, though. And no more toddler zone!

[chuckrules]

Yes please do get photos of your store RodHouTx.:)
I'm interested into seeing how this will also look myself.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

No more Toddler Zone?

Thank the Gods for that!!!

Up in these parts nothing has been touched yet as far as remodels go....should be going down by the Autumn i would guess before the winter weather hits here.

Yeah, i know about the new 'upgrades' to the Showroom. In a way i think it will be good as maybe then more folks will actually notice that there is a show going on in there! We have a lot of stores here where the Show seems 'hidden" by those walls and kncking them down may be a good move in this case.

Thanks for the update, and looking forward to any photos you may be able to post!

[Covert06]

We'll be getting our remodel here in Mentor, Ohio as soon as the permit is approved, which they said would be 3-4 weeks....it sounds like it'll be pretty cool, almost a whole new store, plus a bunch of new games.

[CEC3066]

Rod is the exterior of your location getting a facelift? I know some Phase IV locations didn't get it due to landlord issues.

[dheineCECfan]

RodHouTX: Is the CEC location where a Phase 4 remodel is taking place a former CECPTT since you mentioned "Where the balcony was"?

[MatHat13]

He means the showroom balcony as in the balcony where you watch the show from...and I think his store was a SPP, and not a PTT.

[RodHouTx]

This was a former ShowBiz location (25 years old). I don't know about the outside. We are in a strip center and all the stores have the same look outside, but we do have the typical CEC sign, awnings, etc.

We lost our balcony and wall between showroom and gameroom a couple years ago. Now the other wall has gone down. I do like it more open like this. I'm just worried about the hallway having tables in it. How is someone in a wheelchair going to get to the restroom? The hallway is only about 4-5 feet wide.

Funny, the show's control panel (volume and some obsolete controls) was on the wall they took down, and they didn't know where to put it! We told them to put it by the little bit of wall left by Chuck E. Hopefully they will do that soon - right now its sitting up in the ceiling!

[ChuckEFranchize454]

man our store got the phase 4 remodel and i think it was the best thing 4 our store.

[MatHat13]

Does this mean there getting rid of old posters like the Music parody posters in the showroom, and the Mt. Rushmore thing, and other 90s stuff like that.:o

[Harmony Howlette]

Maybe. I remember RayRay mentioning they've been replaced with those 'inspirational' posters you can get at school book fairs...you know, the ones that say things on them like "Hope" or "Friendship" with pictures of kids exhibiting said behaviors.
Yawwwnnn.

[MatHat13]

you know, the ones that say things on them like "Hope" or "Friendship" with pictures of kids exhibiting said behaviors.

Heard of them, but I never saw em' yet...man, I hope this doesn't come to all the stores...who knows what It can replace on the wall.:\

[Harmony Howlette]

It's almost a given. Knowing the angle CEC is taking nowadays with their product, it's easy to believe. But I hope it won't take the place of the current posters...they contribute to the essence of CEC.

[MatHat13]

Indeed, the posters are my second favorite viewing thing besides the show.|I

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Guys...

Did'nt you see my Irving location photos last year? They are in my photo section if you missed em'.

Take a look...it will answer a lot of questions.

The answer is YES..the old 90's decor/posters/cd awards are going to the landfill and everything is getting a fresh makeover with modern CEC themed signage. The old Munch Band cd awards and other "Tux Chuck" era stuff is being binned big time. Get ready!!

Also, some stores will be having some of the upper walls in the GR, SR, and behind Cash painted purplish-blue ( see my photos). Personally, i like the new look. Despite being a CEC 'purist" i prefer it actually. It makes the place look fresh and exciting, and Lord knows some of the older locations need that badly.

[Harmony Howlette]

Of course I've seen those pics, Jenn! I was there, remember? ;)
And now that you mention it, and I look over my old photos of the trip, they actually DO indeed have the old CD award plaques up in the showroom. Remember me, you, Jasper, Pizzacam, and Captslappy all cracking up because they used the Lethal Weapon laser disk as one of the 'CDs'? :)
So there is hope. Also interesting to note were the snazzy new art-deco Pasqually/Chuck/Helen paintings hanging outside the showroom. Those were pretty awesome.

[sungun12]

yea, monroeville and erie are getting theyre remodels this month, i think they start next week. i saw the plans for erie, same concept as youre saying for your store...
knock down some walls, extend the gameroom, shorten the showroom. theyre actually losing 4 tables which is baffling to me, try to get in there on a sat in feb. why they wouldnt give them more, i have no clue

[MMBBfan327]

Sorry if I'm asking a dumb question, but if they're gonna replace old posters and pics:( , will they come out with a new set? Man, I hate to see all this stuff go.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Oh yeah...of course Harmony, you WERE there! Ha ha...how could i forget THAT??!!:p

Yes. there will be a new series ....at least it will seem "new" to many out in the field. Anyone in a "modern" CEC Location that opened in the past 4/5 years already has most of the new signage inside.

Yes, those paintings in the Irving store were very cool...it would be nice to see those mass-distributed but it's very possible those were Irving "exclusives" since that is now considered the flagship store. I hope they go national as i really liked the style...it was a grown-up touch that gave the Showroom some class!

I'm looking forward to seeing the fresh new look up here in the Northeastern Region...it's high time. We have some real old barns up here from way back, and some of the old decor is looking a bit shoddy. I'm sad to see this great stuff go...many of the pieces still feature Classic Rat and Tux Chuck in full glory, but the time has come to upgrade. The downside of a upgrade is s losing all the nice old decor and signage....exspecially Newington NH's!! That place is a time capsule ( they STILL have have the parody posters up...one from Showbiz Pizza!). Seeing that place overhauled will be a little melencholy to say the least.

[munchjr]

Glad to see the remodels are rolling along. I have seen the new posters as well as a new remodel loction. The posters are the ones that people were talking about "friendship" etc The new paint is nice and no toddler zone does take some getting use to.

[Harmony Howlette]

Ugh.

[CEC3066]

my store is getting Phase IV this fall. we get exterior paint design (YES!) Interior paint design (BLAH!) new games, our merch area will be smaller & the Cash area will be moving. Kitchen will be smaller. half as many Sky Tubes. No more wall between Show Room/Game Room. Goodbye platform, losing a couple booths in Show Room. I think that's it. OH yeah

Goodbye:

http://sp-com.tripod.com/pizzacam/pizzacam/cecwalzem3-04.jpg

Hello:

http://sp-com.tripod.com/pizzacam/jenn/everett01-4.jpg

>:

[pizzacam]

Man I miss that 2 stage...I loved to go there and watch them and the King. :(

[MMBBfan327]

Which store is this?

[CEC3066]

Fairfield,CA. I was using pictures from San Antonio (Walzem) ,TX and Everett,MA as examples

[sungun12]

when monroeville and erie got their phase IV remodels ( purple walls, no more tiers, no more other walls, new awnings, etc)...
they didnt lose their 2 stages, maybe you wont either. if their in good condition, they keep em.

[CEC3066]

NOPe it's already set in stone. our bots are as old as the store, (1982) hence the reason for the decision to go the Studio C route.

[RodHouTx]

When are they going to start disassembling the stage? I would like to get some of the flood lights if possible for my store in Houston, TX! Who do I need to contact?

[CEC3066]

Sorry Rod the show has been spoken for already.

[yorkmiss]

I live in the York / Lancaster of PA - both have very dated shows.
Does anyone know if there is a plan to remodel all the stores out there - or just a few.
I know people love the "three stages" but the one in York is in need of some attention one way or another.

Beth

[CEC3066]

hey Beth O/T to this but I sent an email to your beth@yorkmiss.com account.

[pizzacam]

Hey beth...is the CEC off Fruitville Pike one of the dated shows? I went there in '97 3 months after it opened...It was the first time I saw a one stage and the Chuck E. turntable thing . :lol

[yorkmiss]

The one in Lancaster off the Fruitville Pike is in good condition as far as the building goes, but the show doesn't appear to be working much.
I was just there and did not see the turn-table thing at all. It looks almost exactily like the picture above - only they have a fiber optic Chuck E Cheese sign at the far left of the stage.

Beth

[pizzacam]

Yeah I have a pic of that stage but it came out all blurry. I know they've removed most if not all the turntables now but I DO remember the vertical fiber optic sign as opposed to the normal one. :p

[MMBBfan327]

Last time I was at the West Allis, WI location, they still had the turntable in use (but the walkaround Chuck was not on the stage).

[sungun12]

erie's 2 stage...and monroevilles, were there since the buildings were built...at least 12-15 years - early 90's

[cec080]

Thats funny your 2 stage is going yet a 3 stage by me that's in dier need of repair is staying. they already recieved the remodel last summer and they said they could'nt afford studioc....hmm. this store has been open since 1982.

[pizzacam]

It just always depends how much money the store makes...it may seem crowded but you have to consider that CEC opens at 9AM during the wekk and don't usually get very much business until everyone gets out of school/work. The 3 stage here is sad and really needs to just be taken out already...but it's like second to last in the district as far as money goes so for now they're keeping their crapped out show.

[sungun12]

im sorry but i really dont see them changing the stage. id be very suprised if they actually do it.

seriously, whats the point? it doesnt make any money, it only cost a crap load of $$ to change a stage and theres no money in return. i dont know whats the point

[cec080]

Sungun 12 you've got a good point there. but i'm going to say it again why have a show anyways if your not going to keep it up. sorry everybody. thats always been my feel. ah well all of us on this board have dreams of all the stages looking like they just came out of the box from the factory..