Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Hughes.
Hi Scott, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As far back as I can remember I’ve always had the dream of owning and running an arcade. I am a child of the 70’s so I was witness to the world of arcades and some initial home consoles growing up. We had a local arcade right across from our school. It was the perfect place to meet after school, weekends, and of course everyone had their birthdays there. My older sister got a job at local amusement park that had at the time of the largest arcades around. When I would go to see her at work and see her with a set of keys to each game and the power that those came with it was solidified in my mind that this is what I want to do.
Fast forward a large amount of time, numerous moves as a family and as an individual and I found myself smack dab in the South Central part of Colorado. As a raft guide and ski bum I found myself hanging out at the local arcade most evenings. The feelings still remained.
One of my favorite jobs in town was when I started working for our local Boys & Girls Club here in Salida. I started off as a volunteer and eventually worked my way up to a full time staff member. I wore a lot of hats with the organization over the course of 10 years. I ran the tech room and really got to share my love of computers, gaming, digital citizenship with the kids who came to my room each day. It felt great to be a part of such a meaningful place for kids and their families who needed the support. During my time there we created a teen specific element to the Club and really dove into those relationships. In doing so I came to realize there was an even larger need in town. A safe place where everyone could hang out, socialize, check in and have some fun.
It took a few years of manifesting, finding the perfect locations, then getting the support of a local bank to turn my dreams into a reality.
So here we are. We’ve been open for over 8 years now and it’s been as much fun as I’d imagined. Continuing to be a vital part of the community and getting to not only see a lot of the kids I knew from the Club grow up, but also getting to hire some of them to help at the arcade.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Salida, be sure to swing on by Fun Street Family Arcade and see what we’ve been able to create.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth roads are boring. You learn a lot about yourself with all those bumps, potholes and flat tires. The struggles were real, just like anyone else really putting the heart into something they love.
Location, financial help, builders, plumbers, finding these old school games alone was tricky. One of the biggest struggles we continue to find ourselves dealing with is finding help on fixing games that we can no longer fix. You’re never bored in here and we’re never 100% on games up and running. I continue to learn and am an avid student on YouTube. Not many left out there that continue to keep these now relics up and going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of my good friends who helped with our logo and is always there to help with anything for the arcade came up with the title for me as “The Ambassador of Fun”. I take that to heart and truly take pride in making sure everyone that comes in here has the time of their lives. I always tell staff we’re here to make dreams come true. The joy we all get when someone walks in for the first time is always a treat to watch. It means a lot when an older customer who grew up with arcades back in the day get all excited, taking pictures to share, telling stories of their old arcades as well. It means even more when I get to see them showing their own kids or grand kids how it all works.
As for what we’re known for I’d like to believe we’re known as a family friendly, safe and fun place for everyone. We still operate on quarters with most games still at a quarter a turn. We also have actual tickets you win from our redemption games. And a prize counter that we really put some effort into.
I’m most proud of how much of a part of community the arcade has become. We get folks asking us all the time to open one in their small mountain town.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I feel pretty blessed to say I have a few. Pertaining to this interview I’ll keep it on task and have to go with getting dropped off at the local amusement park right by my house early afternoons, getting to roam around, ride rides, play unlimited arcade games with the help of my sister and her powerful key chain. We’d stay until the nightly fireworks display they had at closing, then walk out to the parent pick up and call it a day. This was the 80’s so a simpler time for sure. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Pricing:
- Our games range from .25 – $1.00. Most of them being the .25.
- We offer party rooms for $25 per hour
- We offer private events anywhere from $100 – $300 per hour
- We love hosting fundraiser, rehearsal dinners, and much more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://funstreetarcade.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funstreetfamilyarcade
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funstreetfamilyarcade
