121 episodes tracked since 2023 about →
Episode 31 - Operator Spotlight: Propeller Arcade
PodcastAnalysis updated 3d ago54 min listen
Highlights
- Propeller Arcade is located in a building that was formerly Wormwood's Dog and Monkey Cinema, a movie theater from the late 1980s
- Ian prices pinball games at $2 CAD per play (one loonie) at Propeller Arcade
- Propeller Arcade removes approximately 10 pinball machines, plus basketball and skee-ball machines, for movie screenings that accommodate 140 seats
- Ian operates only 2-3 pinball machines on external route (at Stillwell beer bar and one other location) due to time constraints
- The Halifax pinball scene evolved from basement socials with minimal amenities to organized league play with proper venues
- Loonie ($1 CAD) coin mechs are more reliable than quarter mechs in Propeller Arcade's machines
- Ian's first pinball machine was a Lost World (1978) purchased from a local tech
- Alan (podcast host) is planning to visit Propeller Arcade and coordinate a Howdy Partner-style community event
Notable quotes
“the good thing about it is it's really easy to differentiate yourself from other people that don't put in the effort because pinball players know the difference right like absolutely heads know when this game is clean everything's working flippers are rebuilt every shot registers”
“I've always told myself that I'd make time for this so that I still love it as a hobby because before this was business this was keeping me sane”
“it takes about a day and a half to like gut the place like take the machines out, drag out all the tables, do everything, and then bring in 140 seats”
“I don't have to check in on them because i know that you know they don't have their baby teeth anymore they know what's going on they are the people that i don't have to walk through this and my biggest priority are the people that have never played this”
“alligators are complete dinosaurs they've been around forever and in the american south you'll see alligators on golf courses you'll see them at gas stations... they're the ultimate like don't give a fuck animals”
“I take a lot of heat for not doing online ticket sales because it's 2024. I get that. I don't care. Just like we have people line up for these tickets and they always sell out”
Entities
- Hollywood Theater· company
- Propeller Arcade· company
- Propeller Brewery· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Stillwell· company
- Wormwood's Dog and Monkey Cinema· company
- Lost World· game
- Pro Wrestling Unleashed· organization
- Wedgehead Pinball Podcast· organization
- Alan· person
- Ian Matheson· person
- Matt· person
- Trevor· person
- Howdy Partner· product
