Episode 303: Melissa Cerquin, High Score Pinball Arcade owner
Check out Long Island's newest location in Westfield South Shore (mall). Melissa tells us how she turned a tragedy into a success story. Hear about her instant love of pinball and how in just a...
Highlights
- High Score Pinball Arcade opened with 42 pinball machines and 5 arcade games in Westfield South Shore Mall
- The arcade was set up in under three weeks from concept to opening
- Melissa and Mike have been collecting/active in pinball for four years
- A burst pipe nearly destroyed an original Black Knight machine in their previous storage location
- Melissa and Mike's first pinball machine was Gorgar, which inspired their deeper engagement with the hobby
- The arcade plans to add tournaments and leagues, pending hiring and scheduling
- High Score Pinball Arcade is woman-owned and woman-run, a point Melissa emphasizes as important representation
- There are no other dedicated pinball venues on Long Island; Brooklyn barcades require significant travel
Notable quotes
“I came up with the idea or I pitched the idea to him that what if we just open an arcade? It would be a great place to have these machines seen, played with, not collecting dust, not in fear of getting damaged.”
“It's almost magical. Seeing kids just look out through the window into my arcade and just look at all of the flashing lights... it's just so wonderful seeing how parents bring their kids into the arcade so they can witness it for themselves.”
“I am here. I exist. I am a woman, daughter of immigrants, and I am making this happen in the United States of America. And I'm very proud to say that.”
“You've turned something that really was a tragedy with the pipes bursting... into an actual arcade. So they talk about turning lemons into lemonade. You've done that with high score.”
“We have so many good friends. They rally around us and they really are special people who want to see us succeed because they believe in the idea.”
“I've been told by not one, two, but at least five different husbands that they're so glad a place like this popped up in the mall because they could just chill there all day.”
Entities
- High Score Pinball Arcade· company
- Video Game Trading Post· company
- Black Knight series· game
- Gorgar· game
- IFPA· organization
- PAPA· organization
- Sunshine Laundromat· organization
- Westfield South Shore Mall· organization
- Baby· person
- Chris DiStefano· person
- Creamy· person
- Dennis Cole· person
- Freddie· person
- Jeff Teolis· person
- Melissa Cerquin· person
- Mike· person
- Sal· person
- Taco Cat· person
- Tim Ruman· person
- Vinny Laverde· person
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