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The Pinball Studio Podcast

EP05 Radioactive Pinball Podcast (Behind The Arcade)

Podcast

The Pinball Studio Podcast

1 hr 34 min

Summary

Radioactive Pinball Arcade owners discuss free-play model, tax/operational costs, and visitor-centric game selection strategy.

Eric and Erin Edwards, co-owners of Radioactive Pinball Arcade in Aiken, South Carolina, discuss their arcade business model in a Q&A podcast episode. They cover operational strategies (free-play pricing, hands-on management, curating collections for customer appeal rather than personal preference), financial realities (monthly parts/maintenance costs averaging $2,400, electric bills reaching $900-$1,000, complex tax obligations totaling ~$17,000 annually), and their debt-free, low-overhead business philosophy. The arcade houses 65 pinball and 55+ video games, with an additional 40+ machines in storage, and attracts ~50% out-of-town visitors through strategic theming and a 'wow factor' at entry.

From the creator

Radioactive Pinball Podcast – Episode 5 What’s it really like owning and operating a pinball arcade? In Episode 5 of the Radioactive Pinball Podcast, Eric & Erin give their unfiltered answers about the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of running a pinball Arcade. From the games themselves to the business behind them and everything in between, this episode gives you a look at what it’s really like behind the scenes.

In this episode

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