Barboursville, WV (3419 US Rt 60)

Photo of the front entrance, unknown date.

3419 US Rt 60 also known as Huntington or East Barboursville was a franchised Showbiz Pizza Place location that opened sometime between 1983-1986, and closed as a Showbiz Pizza Place in 1988 (month and day unknown). This location was owned by Rex Donahue, who owned every Showbiz Pizza location in the state of West Virginia. This location is also notable for being the very first Billy Bob's Wonderland store, being one after leaving the brand.

History

Showbiz Pizza Era (Mid 1980s-1988)

Barboursville had it's grand opening in the early-mid 1980s. The store had everything a normal Showbiz had, which was wood paneling, arcade games, play places, dining rooms, and they had the Rock-afire Classic Stage as well. No footage has been found of Barboursville as a Showbiz Pizza Place, but photos do exist.

Billy Bob's Wonderland Era (1988-2003)

In 1988, it was announced that Concept Unification would take place, which involved the conversion of all Showbiz stores to Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza. Rex Donahue would make the decision then after to defranchising the location, making it independent. The store would then become the very first Billy Bob's Wonderland location, with Ashland, KY opening a while later. The bots would be taken to the new store, and used for parts with Ashland, KY, and Parkersburg, WV.

In 2003, Billy Bob's Wonderland would permanently close along with Ashland, KY, so they could form a larger, more dedicated store on 5 Cracker Barrel Dr.

Post-BBWL Era (2003-Present)

After the store closed, the space would remain vacant for a while, until they were cut in half and filled up by American restaurant company Famous Dave's. Famous Dave's would close in 2010, and the other side would become Plato's Closet. As of April 2023, Victorian Finance and Plato's Closet remain open to this day.

Stages

Stage	Installed	Removed	Notes
Classic Stage	June 1982	1991	Taken to the new store, currently used for spare pieces.

Animatronics

Animatronic	Serial Number	Whereabouts
Rolfe DeWolfe	??-8? 1-??	In storage.
Dook Larue	??-8? 1-??	On stage.
Fatz Geronimo	??-8? 1-??	In storage.
Beach Bear	??-8? 1-??	In storage.
Mitzi Mozzarella	??-8? 1-??	On stage.
Billy Bob	??-8? 1-??	On stage.
Looney Bird	??-8? 1-??	On stage.
Choo Choo	??-8? 1-??	In storage.
Sun	??-8? 1-??	In storage.
Moon	??-8? 1-??	On stage.
Antioch	N/A	In storage.
Wink	N/A	In storage.

Gallery

2000-2002

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  Exterior of Barboursville as Billy Bob's Wonderland. (PC: showbizpizza.com)

Videos

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