Baton Rouge, LA (11324 Boardwalk Dr)
The store's exterior before closure (PC: LoopNet)
11324 Boardwalk Dr Store #609 was a Showbiz Pizza/Chuck E. Cheese that opened on August 12, 1981 as a corporate ShowBiz Pizza Place with a Rock-Afire Explosion. and closed on November 3, 2021 with a 3-Stage. It was the 25th Showbiz Pizza store to open and the 3rd in Louisiana.
History
This location opened its doors on August 12th, 1981 with a Rock-afire Explosion show. It was originally and formerly a corporate-owned store. It was the third Showbiz Pizza in the state of Louisiana. Like many other ShowBiz Pizza locations, it had a typical SPP layout seen in many other stores across the United States and would eventually receive the 1988 remodel years after it would open. Unfortunately, very little documentation exists back when it was a Showbiz Pizza.
In 1991, Baton Rouge received Concept Unification which converted the show to Munch's Make Believe Band removing the Rock-Afire Explosion for the 3-Stage, removal of all SPP decor, exterior change, and new decor. In around the Mid-Late 1990's, Baton Rouge received either Phase 1 or Phase 2 remodel which removed some early 90's decor and added new decor and SkyTubes. Baton Rouge remained this way until in 2010 when they received the 2003 "Cool Chuck" Reconfiguration / Major Remodel Initiative and also expanded. They would remain like this until their closure in November 3rd, 2021 due to multiple issues and Covid-19. As of today, the space where the former location was at still sits vacant.
Stages
Baton Rouge opened with the Rock afire Explosion in August 1981. Unfortunately, there are hardly any photos or videos to exist of Baton Rouge as a Showbiz Pizza. There are Phase 3 and 4 photos, but not Phase 2 (post-CU) or Showbiz Pizza.
In 1991, Baton Rouge received Concept Unification, converting the Rock afire into Munch’s Make Believe Band.
In 2010, Baton Rouge received an exterior remodel.
In November 2021, the location closed due to COVID-19.
| Stage | Installed | Removed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock-Afire Explosion | August 1981 | 1991 | Third Showbiz Pizza Store to open in in Louisiana. |
| 3-Stage | 1991 | November 2021 | One of 5 Showbiz stores in Louisiana to undergo Concept Unification. |
Animatronics
| Character | Serial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe | 1-81 1-9 | Destroyed |
| Pasqually / Dook Larue | 1-81 2-9 | Destroyed |
| Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo | 1-81 3-9 | Destroyed |
| Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear | 1-81 4-9 | Destroyed |
| Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella | 1-81 5-9 | Destroyed |
| Billy Bob | 1-81 6-9 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Pizzacam / Looney Bird | 1-81 7-9 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Munch Jr. / Choo Choo | 1-81 8-9 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Building / Sun | 1-81 10-9 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Moon | 1-81 11-9 | Destroyed |
| Antioch | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Wink | N/A | Destroyed |
Gallery
Videos
| Link | Description | Filming/Published Date |
|---|---|---|
| Link | Footage of this location as a Showbiz Pizza Place featuring it's Rock-afire Explosion stage | May 18th, 1985 |
| Link | A store tour of this store. | February 26th, 2020 |