CEC Legacy Locations

Promotional Photo

The Munch's Make Believe Band Residency is a permanent keeping of a 2-Stage at the Northridge, CA (8425 Reseda Blvd) location for preservation of Chuck E. Cheese animatronics.

The decision was made as a response to fan backlash towards the removal of animatronic bands, as part of the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program. Fan response to the move has been mixed, with many still lamenting the imminent loss of all other remaining stages across the country; this decision came with the confirmation that all other stores hosting animatronics are set for removal of the stages.

Description

The MMBB Residency was created as an official response to the backlash from the destruction of animatronic shows from the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program by having the Northridge, CA (8425 Reseda Blvd) keep its 2-Stage alongside the Video Wall and Dance Floor being installed on the opposite side of the showroom.

Viewing of the Northridge stage during the "Live Announcement" video on November 2nd.

CEC Corporate would denote this location as important because it was "long been visited by our fans" and "in celebration of the location's 40th anniversary", despite the location's 40th anniversary actually having taken place 2 years prior in September of 2021.

CEC would directly confirm that once all CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Programs were completed across all locations, Northridge would be the only store left with animatronics. They would also note the location to be permanent showcase for "all legacy Chuck E. Cheese nostalgia". CEC would deflect all comments begging for their local stores to keep their animatronics with stating that Northridge was "the perfect location to keep the animatronic fun going strong".

Residency Changes to Store Procedures

Showtapes at the location play the same main segments and advertisements on the Video Wall as other stores, but their intermissions are replaced with additional show segments that are either programmed to the animatronics or not programmed at all, bringing the ratio of showtape content to advertising more in line with eras of showtapes prior to the 2020's.

History & Original Concepts

The original concept for the residency was much larger than its finalized state, originally being dubbed by fans during its planning phase as the Chuck E. Cheese Retro Store, but officially called by CEC Corporate as the Destination Stores. These were plans originally to either create a brand new museum to host all variants of CEC animatronics, or later to have a multiple separately branded stores each keeping different stages. In the end, this was reduced to just one location.

Museum Concept

At an unknown time prior to mid-2022, CEC Corporate began discussions of a possible location using permanent animatronic attractions while their stores were currently going through the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program. This first idealized into a possible museum being opened in Orlando, FL, with others likely being in Dallas and San Jose. These museum stores would host one of each major stage type, being Cyberamics, 3-Stage, and Studio C.

Store Acquisitions

Around the time of these discussions, certain stores that were closing or going through a remodel were selected to have their items sent to the Showbiz Pizza Time Distribution Center or Chuck E. Cheese's Corporate Office for possible use.

• Slidell, LA (124 North Shore Blvd)
  • October 22, 2020 - Art taken during closure.
• Stuart, FL (2400 NW Federal Hwy)
  • March 2022 - Studio C Alpha taken during remodel.
• Laurel, MD (936 Fairlawn Ave)
  • June 8, 2022 - 3-Stage taken during 2.0 along with store and stage carpet.
• Rockford, IL (3600 E State St)
  • June 13, 2022 - Entire Rocker Stage with animatronics taken during 2.0 remodel.
• Springfield, OH (2345 Valley Loop Rd)
  • July 25, 2022 - Art taken.

• Murfreesboro, TN (1720 Old Fort Pkwy)
  • June 2023 - Art taken during refresh remodel.
• Chesapeake, VA (1528 Sam's Circle)
  • July 11, 2023 - 2-Stage taken.

• Whitehall, PA (1000 Lehigh Valley Mall)
  • July 12th, 2023 - Concept Unification 1-Stage during 2.0

• Lynnwood, WA (3717 196th St Suite 100)
  • July 23rd, 2023 - Animatronics, games, and posters taken

Retro Store Concept

At some point in the discussions of the museum concept however, it was pointed out that a museum would not keep customer retention for long compared to CEC's usual restaurant and party experiences. The priorities then shifted to instead turning select stores back into previous remodels, mainly focused around the 1992 Major Remodel. This would reduce costs of creating brand new attractions, while still keeping the Retro branded stores within usual restaurant systems and procedures. By mid-2022 however, the idea would be put on hold while the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program was still siphoning time and resources.

Northridge Chosen

Remodeled exterior to Northridge (August 18, 2023)

On July 25, 2023, Northridge, CA (8425 Reseda Blvd) would begin to go through a remodel. After around a week of normal proceedings, it had been noted that the store's SPT Parody Awards were wrapped up behind a set of arcade machines, and its stage had not been dismantled despite the current progression of the remodel. Rumors would begin circulating that the store had suddenly gone through with a change of plans and would be keeping its animatronic show.

The CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program would continue to go through, installing the video wall and dance floor, however, the 2-Stage in the store would be kept, alongside the artwork being brought back to display on the walls. Many of the other 1992 Major Remodel parts of the store were still taken down, such as the entrance awning and checkered tiles. The store's exterior sign would retain the same shape, but with the new 2.0 logo.

It is unknown if this first remodel will be separately denoted as a reduced in scope version of the Retro Store, or if it will be a new variant of the 2018 remodel program. No official titles were used to distinguish this remodel from others.

Planned Reopening

On October 12, 2023, CEC Entertainment would send a letter to Logan Carreiro, a kid who had previously petitioned for the company to save its animatronics and had made headlines previously in the year, for an invitation to the store's grand re-opening. He will be flown with all expenses paid to the event to be named the honorary title "Chuck E. Cheese Chief Animatronic Officer".

The letter also stated that Northridge would be the "animatronic team's new permanent home", being the first official statement given on Northridge's remodel keeping the animatronics. This would imply CEC would be using the remodel and Logan's honorary title as a PR move to combat the controversy of removing animatronics in the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program.

On that same day, Donovan Marcelle, programmer for CEC Corporate, would hold a livestream programming an unknown show segment. This was despite just a month earlier confirming that all showtape programming was to cease due to budget cuts. In this, they would pin a message in the livestream chat saying "Programming something special..... but what???!!". This hints toward the possibility of the new programming being for the event, but has not been confirmed officially.

On October 14th it would be confirmed by Logan that the grand re-opening event would be taking place on November 10th.

Chuck E. Cheese LIVE Announcement promo art.

Chuck E. Cheese LIVE Announcement

On October 25th, 2023, CEC would start a livestream and subsequent Facebook Event for a "Chuck E. Cheese LIVE Announcement". Its description stated "Chuck E. Cheese has big news to share with fans young and old.".

The livestream would start on many platforms, having the characters announce the new plans for the location to become the permanent residency for animatronic characters. A PopVerse article would also report with more statements and pictures. The livestreams itself however had multiple issues with being muted and starting in the middle of the announcement.

Reopening Event Party

The party would start on November 10th at 4pm on as a media preview event lasting until 6pm. From 6pm to 8pm the public is allowed in the restaurant. The media preview will feature Nolan Bushnell and David McKillips to discuss the legacy and future of the company.

The public event would be confirmed to start with the animatronics performing with their exclusive location-specific showtape Visitors will get free cake and a poster upon visiting, alongside having chances to win prizes such as a free Chuck E. Cheese birthday party or a VIP play band loaded with one full year of unlimited All You Can Play time. If visiting the event with any Chuck E. Cheese tokens, they can be traded in for an exclusive commemorative pin. The first 25 families to enter will get 1 free hour at the arcade.

During the event's press release, the previously stated "Chief Animatronic Officer" Logan would instead be set to be crowned "Chief Entertainment Officer for the day".