Memory Lane Arcade

43°19′0.912″N 83°44′25.115″W / 43.31692000°N 83.74030972°W / 43.31692000; -83.74030972StatusDefunctOpenedApril 29, 1975; 49 years ago (1975-04-29)ClosedNovember 28, 2004 (2004-11-28)OwnerDennis R. AtkinsonGeneral managerDennis R. AtkinsonThemeCoin-operated machinesSlogan"Proud to be an American"[1]Operating seasonSummer through Fall, Xmas WeekendsWebsiteOfficial website

Memory Lane Arcade was an arcade amusement park located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. It was opened on April 29, 1975[2] by Dennis R. Atkinson and his wife Irene. It closed on November 28, 2004.[3] It is notable for its collection of old-fashioned activities, including coin-operated fortune tellers, arcade games, roll-playing instruments and attractions. Many games were pretty cheap to play.[4] Admission in the arcade was completely free.[5]

Apart from 100 years worth of penny arcades, the place also offered modern services including 3D movies, sports and computer games.[6] In 1984, Atkinson won an Association de la Sommellerie Internationale award for the "Taito America Elevator Action Kit".[7] By 1995, there was a trend that children were not getting their money's worth from playing games and winning prize.[8]

Highlights

  • 200 year-old Orchestrion[9]
  • Buzzy Buzzy Bee
  • Grandmothers Predictions[4]
  • Kiss-O-Meter[5]
  • Laffing Sal's Funhouse[10][11]
  • Mystic Swami
  • Personality Indicator[5]
  • Pinball games[5]
  • Play Golf[5]
  • Player pianos[5]
  • The Egyptian Mummy Answers Your Question[5]

References

  1. ^ "Michigan Machine Locations". Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Open Corporates - Memory Lane Arcade". Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Caulfield, Matthew (December 27, 2006). "Mechanical Music Digest - Memory Lane Arcade in Frankenmuth is Closed". Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Your Daily Guide". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. August 5, 1994. p. 2. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Hunt, Mary (1994). Hunts' highlights of Michigan. Midwestern Guides. p. 376.
  6. ^ Zavatsky, Michele; Zavatsky, George (2000). Kids Love Publications. Midwestern Guides. p. 13.
  7. ^ "Industry News - Video Game Winners" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. 46, no. 42. George Albert. March 24, 1984. p. 39.
  8. ^ "Letters - Unsettling Trends". Play Meter. Vol. 21, no. 13. Carol P. Lally. December 1995. p. 10.
  9. ^ "A Trip Down Memory Lane". Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  10. ^ "The Many Faces of 'Laffing Sal'". Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  11. ^ "My Gal Sal". Retrieved March 30, 2021.

External links

  • Official website