Wilmington, NC (4389 Oleander Dr)

4389 Oleander Dr, Store #2070 was a Showbiz Pizza Place that opened on July 23, 1984 with a Rock-Afire Explosion, which closed October 13, 2020.

This location received Concept Unification in 1992, and had the last original Munch Jr. animatronic until they closed.

History
Wilmington opened July 23rd, 1984 as the 4th ShowBiz store in North Carolina (Following Charlotte, NC, Fayetteville, NC, & Asheville, NC) with the RockAfire Explosion. Although very little documentation exists (Besides two photos from the Wilmington Morning Star Newspapers) back in the ShowBiz days, it can be determined that Wilmington was one of several locations to receive an Uncle Klunk show package (and a Santa Claus retrofit package as well) sometime after opening. Like many ShowBiz locations in the late 1980s, Wilmington received the Showbiz Pizza Campground upgrade. Wilmington would however not receive the 1988 Remodel until Concept Unification in 1992; converting the RockAfire Explosion into Munch's Make Believe Band. Wilmington would receive another remodel in Late 1997 which involved raising the ceilings, completely remodeling the exterior facade (which was completed Q1 1998), adding bigger windows, & removing elements from the 1988 Remodel (The Blue & White Awnings, checkers around the store, & neon lights). In 1999-2002, they received Plastic masks (Except Pasqually) & removed the Munch's Make Believe Band Sign and Neon Signs. By March 2003, Chuck's Tux & Derby was replaced with the Cool Chuck outfit. Later that same year, Pasqually received a plastic mask & the stage was recarpeting (Munch Jr was originally supposed to be removed that year). In around the Mid 2000's Munch Jr's vent was replaced, & extra hairs were added to Jasper's mask to prevent the mask from cracking. In Q1 2008, Wilmington underwent a major 2005 Remodel which involved moving the Salad Bar to the front of the store, removal of Showroom Walls, Balcony Seating, speakers that were on the sides of the stage, & adding purple walls. Around this time, Chuck's outfit was also replaced with the Avenger outfit as well. In 2013, Chuck's cap was removed. In April-May 2014, Helen's pigtails were replaced with Cheeto colored ones seen on the walkaround costumes, Helen's hands were replaced with Cyberamic ones a couple years later. Around this timeframe, they would receive a Studio C Beta from Danbury, CT (20 Backus Ave) which was left unused and in storage. In Mid 2018, Pizzacam was modified with a working LED light. In Mid 2019, Chuck's outfit was replaced with the full Rockstar. Munch's mask was replaced not long after. In July-September 2020, there were plans to reopen the store including restoring the 3-Stage and replacing the ceiling tiles with new ones. The store finally closed on October 13th, 2020 due to numerous issues.

As of October 2022, the store's exterior remains intact but the interior has since been gutted.

Stages
Originally when the store opened, they had a Rock-Afire Explosion, as all other Showbiz locations had. Wilmington's show was manufactured in January of 1982, being batch number 1. They would have the RAE for a few years, until 1992, when they would receive Concept Unification, this was the process used to turn the RAE into the Chuck E. Cheese characters. They would have the 3-Stage until they closed. They would have the last Munch Jr. animatronic in-store. They would also be the only location so far to have the full "Rockstar" outfit (shirt and jeans), other than Dept. 18's programming show.

Gallery
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