Charlotte, NC (7701 Pineville-Matthews Rd)

Exterior - June 2024

Charlotte, NC (7701 Pineville-Matthews Rd), Store #64 (Commonly referred to as the Pineville location) was a ShowBiz Pizza Place store that opened on October 20th, 1982, which is currently operating to this day as a Chuck E. Cheese's. It was the first ShowBiz Pizza to open in the state of North Carolina, and the second to open in the Carolinas overall.

In May of 2024, Pineville had been chosen as one of five Chuck E. Cheese locations to be designated as a Munch's Make Believe Band Residency, receiving a "legacy store" variant of the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program in June of that year.

History

Pineville opened its doors on October 20th, 1982 at the Carmel Commons Shopping Center with a Rock-afire Explosion show, being the second ShowBiz in the Carolinas following Charleston, SC (1610 Sam Rittenburg Blvd). It was originally a franchise-owned store, under the ownership of "Adventure Restaurant Corporation," which owned other ShowBiz locations in the area during the time. Like many other ShowBiz locations, it had a typical layout seen in many other stores and would eventually receive the 1988 remodel. Although very little documentation exists back in the ShowBiz days, it can be determined that Pineville was one of several locations to receive an Uncle Klunk show package (and a Santa Claus retrofit package as well) sometime after opening with the few photos available online and what would remain of the "Abombination" drop-down sign mechanic slot on stage right. Pineville received the 1986 SPT Remodel Program, though it's unclear if their Rock-afire acquired the ShowBiz Pizza Campground update.

Adventure Restaurant Corporation was the original franchise owner of the Pineville location.

Concept Unification

Pineville would be one of a majority of locations to undergo Concept Unification in 1991. An advertisement coupon from a newspaper clipping would show that the conversion was complete by mid-late 1991 (possibly November) as the coupon's expiration date was December 31st of that year. However, in January 1993, Adventure Restaurant Corp. would shutter the store after owning it for 10 years.

Reopening

This closure would've remained permanent until ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc. would acquire to license to operate Pineville from its previous franchise owner the same month, thus the location would reopen as a corporate-owned store practically unchanged from how it was at the time and has remained a corporate store since. The corporate reopening would also mark the official rebrand of Pineville from ShowBiz to Chuck E. Cheese's at the same time as former locations were rebranding completely.

1990's

In this point of Pineville's operation, the store would receive the SPT 1992 Remodel Program sometime by 1995 at the earliest, complete with:

• An Obstotron (later Skytubes)
• 1991 Platinum CD Award posters (Bad Dog, Saturday Night Retriever, Yellow Submarine Sandwich, I've-Gotta-Da-Pizza and Flabby Road)
• Mt. Chuckmore Decor
• 1991 Postcard Posters (Pasqually's Italy and Jasper's Wild West)
• Cheese Guitar Decor
• SPT Salad Bar Sign
• SPT Beverages Sign
• Vest Chuck Signage
• 1991 Confetti Portraits

Pineville would also receive the black & green-colored booths common to this remodel plan at the time.

The 90's Exterior of Pineville (c. August 2008)

2000's

Sometime in the 2000's, the original Munch Jr. would be removed from the 3-Stage and a Toddler Zone would be installed near the showroom. Pineville would receive a general game package mirroring other CECs that included Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 Pinball by Stern, Chuck E.'s Choo Choo, Kiddie Coaster, Rock N' Moon Rally, Chatty Chuck E. out of many. This decade would also be when the location would undergo the CEC 2005 Remodel Program with newer booths, posters, and purple walls prior to around 2008. However, (between this time and the early 2010's) the 90's exterior would remain along with the early 90's Chuck E. Cheese Roll Skee-Balls, not entirely modernizing the store quite yet. Though, by 2010, Chuck E.'s tuxedo would be replaced with the Avenger attire.

2010's

The store's exterior while the shopping center remodel was in progress. The old signage would still remain at this point. (February 21, 2012)

Starting in early 2012, the Carmel Commons shopping mall Pineville was located in received a major exterior renovation, repainting the mall from brown to white. This would impact the Pineville store, reconstructing the front of the exterior and finally updating it from the 1998 Cool Chuck sign to the 2004 Avenger Chuck sign, now modernizing the store in full. The store would also expand into a former Carmel Commons tenant, making room for more arcade games and seating. Later in 2013, a number of changes would come to Pineville. The game package would change once again, removing several (including Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 Pinball and the 90's Chuck E. Cheese Rolls) in favor of more simpler games. The stage would see Chuck E.'s eyebrows and triangular base removed unexpectedly (with Pineville's Chuck E. becoming infamous for not having eyebrows for a long period of time this decade) as well as the stage base trim being repainted from brown to black. Pizzacam was removed prior to these updates and his mechanism was placed in storage underneath stage left. Finally, several walls were painted back to white, only keeping existing purple walls in the showroom and front of the store.

2020's

3-Stage Updates

At the start of the 2020's, the condition of Pineville's 3-Stage began to decline in quality. However, when technician and fellow CEC fan miltondrivewaysignal would step in to work at the location between 2021 and 2022, the show at Pineville would receive multiple updates and fixes never before seen on most 3-Stages. These would include, but are not limited to:

• Newly reinstated eyebrows for Chuck E. as well as a replacement right arm bracket.
• A repaint given to the base of Chuck E.'s star and Pasqually's backdrop flood cover.
• A yellow feather boa for Helen's hair and a teal mask/eyelid repaint. In fall of 2023, her mask would be replaced and in 2024 her pigtail movements were fixed after not working for years.
• The return of Munch Jr. as a custom replica and the return of Mr. Munch's hat (originally from Albemarle Rd);
• Mr. Munch being cosmetically and mechanically restored along with added strobe lights to his organ and band sign.
• A custom organ front reading "CEC" in the style of a custom organ front at Huntsville, AL and a fresh coat of paint for the organ legs changing them from the traditional silver to white. Also, the organ exhausts were changed from black to orange tubing.
• A cosmetic and mechanical repair of Jasper complete with a new, custom shirt pattern design and added fur to the mask. In fall of 2023, Jasper would be reverted back to his standard look.
• Pasqually's base receiving new, pink glitter trim as well as mechanical adjustments to his arms for more lively "drumming."
• A repaint of Helen, Munch, and Jaspers shoes.
• The reinstating and repair of the Fiber Optic Star Curtain after not being used for some time.
• Updating the backdrop and overhead floods with bright and colorful LEDs.
• The replacement of several characters' MAC valve banks with Baomain valve banks.
• The red and white stripes on the Wink being removed revealing "In Pizza We Trust" once more.
• Exchanging the previous blue valance with green valance from the now-closed Charleston, South Carolina location.
• Avenger Ticket signage being reapplied to some walls throughout the store for display.
• A garage door motor installed for the Center Stage curtain track.
  • Curtains that were salvaged from Lynchburg, VA (312 Border St) were installed on Center Stage for a brief period of time before being replaced by generic store-bought curtains moved over from Stage Right and Stage Left.
• A new, restored mask for the Building character prop taken from the Columbia, SC location (the Building character previously was missing its mask due to age and deterioration).
• The base of the 3-Stage getting a wooden finish.
• Munch Jr's can being spray painted black at the top.
• The addition of the Pizzacam animatronic from Laurel, MD, completing the 3-Stage

Munch's Make Believe Band Residency & 2.0. Remodel

In May 2024, CEC Entertainment announced Pineville's selection as a Munch's Make Believe Band Residency. This included an area where guests and fans alike were able to see art and memorabilia throughout the company’s history. The 2.0 remodel started on June 9th, 2024 and 2 days later, they installed the Dance Floor followed by the installation of the video wall on June 13th.

On the 18th, a Pizzacam animatronic was sent to the location from the Showbiz Pizza Time Distribution Center (Topeka, KS) for installation. This animatronic was previously from the Laurel, MD (936 Fairlawn Ave) store and had been sitting in the warehouse for 2 years and 10 days. Pizzacam was meant to be installed prior to opening, but instead was situated in front of the stage when guests walked in. The unit was then wheeled into the back hallway, illegally blocking the emergency exit. An advertising poster was placed in front to block it from guests' sight and to discourage it being touched. Within 2 days later, it was officially installed.

Stages

Stage	Installed	Removed	Notes
Rock-afire Explosion	October 1982	1991	First ShowBiz Pizza Place in North Carolina.
3-Stage	1991	Still in Use	One of six North Carolina ShowBiz stores to undergo Concept Unification. Last 3-Stage in the state and on the east coast. Will be preserved in-store following the 2.0 remodel as the company's official 3-stage.
Dance Floor	June 11th, 2024	Still in Use
Video Wall	June 13th, 2024	Still in Use

Arcade Machines

Skill

• Redhot
• Super Monkey Ball Ticket Blitz
• Bike Rally
• Jumpin’ Fantasy
• Big Bass Wheel Pro
• Pop It for Gold
• CEC Street Hoops
• NBA Hoops (2 units)
• Chuck E's Marathon Runner
• Crazy Tower
• Doodle Jump Arcade
• Choppy Wood
• Sea Wolf
• SnoCross X (2 units)
• Luigi's Mansion Arcade
• Harpoon Lagoon
• Mad Wave Motion Theater
• Monster Drop (2 units)
• H2Overdrive
• Alley Roller Classic (5 units)
• Sideshow
• Spinner Frenzy
• Bean Bag Toss
• Water Blast
• Launch Code
• Big Win Super Spin
• Sonic Blast Ball
• Soccer Fortune Terminator Salvation
• Frogger
• Treasure Quest
• Cruis'n Blast (2 units)
• Fast & Furious: SuperCars (2 units)
• Strike it Rich!
• Temple Run
• Operation

Coin-Action

• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Winners' Toggle
• The Simpsons Kooky Carnival
• Wonderland
• Big Rig Truckin' (Solo)

Kiddie

• Teacup Ride
• Hit Music
• Funny Hamster
• Giraffe Play
• Cheeky Monkey Football
• Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Angel Carousel
• Spydero
• Arka Jungle Boat
• Jett Rider
• Chuck E. Cheese's Color Photo Ride (Rockstar, 2019)
• Minions
• Hammer 2
• Chuck E. Cheese's Sketch Book
• Chuck E.'s Goalie All Stars
• Astro Invasion
• Rainbow
• Dog Pounder
• Chuck E.'s Fun Photos Photo Booth

Former

• Chatty Chuck E.
• Chuck E. Cheese Roll (1990's Variant)
• Chuck E. Cheese's Super Shot
• Chuck E.'s Choo Choo
• Rock N' Moon Rally
• Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 Pinball (Stern)

Animatronics

Animatronic	Serial	Whereabouts
Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe	1-82 1-23	In store.
Pasqually / Dook Larue	1-82 2-23	In store.
Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo	1-82 3-23	In store.
Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear	1-82 4-23	In store.
Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella	1-82 5-23	In store.
Billy Bob	1-82 6-23	Unknown.
Pizzacam / Looney Bird	1-82 7-23	Unknown.
Pizzacam / Looney Bird	10-82 7-40	In store. Previously from Laurel, MD (936 Fairlawn Ave).
Munch Jr. / Choo Choo	1-82 8-23	Unknown. Custom replica produced in March 2022.
Building / Sun	1-82 10-23	In store. Currently using mask from Columbia, SC location.
Moon	1-82 11-23	In store.
Antioch	N/A	Unknown.
Wink	N/A	In store.

Gallery

• 

  ShowBiz Pizza Place Grand Opening (1982)

• 

  Pineville's Fatz Geronimo Animatronic (1982)

• 

  Munch's Make Believe Band Coupon (1991)

• 

  Chuck E. Cheese's Reopening (1993)

• 

  Road Sign (Unknown Year)

• 

  3-Stage (July 2023)

• 

  Showroom Alcove (June 2024)

• 

  Pizzacam from Showbiz Pizza Time Distribution Center (Topeka, KS), formerly from Laurel, MD (936 Fairlawn Ave) (June 18, 2024)

• 

  Pizzacam from Showbiz Pizza Time Distribution Center (Topeka, KS), formerly from Laurel, MD (936 Fairlawn Ave) (June 18, 2024)

• 

  Pizzacam illegally blocking the emergency exit (June 18, 2024)

• 

  Pizzacam illegally blocking the emergency exit (June 18, 2024)

Videos

Link	Description	Filming Date	Published Date
Link	A video showcasing the store, games, & 3-Stage in Between January-March 1995	January-March 1995	March 31, 2020
Link	A slideshow showcasing some of the 3-Stage in 2005	2005	June 1, 2022
Link	Some compiliation footage and photos of Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage.	May 20, 2010	September 19, 2020
Link	A vlog where they play Chuck E. Cheese Sakte Universe and then they visit Charlotte (Pineville).	July/August 2014	August 6, 2014
Link	A family vlog where they visit Charlotte (Pineville) and have a birthday party there.	2014	September 26, 2018
Link	A vlog where they visit Charlotte (Pineville).	August? 2016	September 2, 2016
Link	A family vlog where they visit Charlotte (Pineville).	March 2019	March 28, 2019
Link	The store featured on the Sets, Streets, & Eats YouTube channel.	October 26, 2022	November 1, 2022
Link	Store Tour of the store in December 2022	December 2022	December 28, 2022
Link	Store Tour of the Store in March 2023	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	A short clip of "Ves Al Ratoncito" from Show 2 2019 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 8, 2023
Link	A short clip of "Stay Positive" from Show 2 2021 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 8, 2023
Link	"Join the Party" from Chuck E. Cheese Summer of Fun 2022 Show being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"Trio" from Show 3 2017 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"Game On" from Show 1 2020 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"Ves Al Ratoncito" from Show 2 2019 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage.	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"I Dare You Not To Laugh" from Show 3 2021 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"Stay Positive" from Show 2 2021 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"Disco Dancing Dinosaur Party" from Show 1 2020 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	"My Family" from Show 3 2019 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage.	March 8, 2023	March 25, 2023
Link	A vlog where they visit Charlotte (Pineville) for a child's birthday party.	April 30, 2023	April 30, 2023
Link	"Let's Be Friends" from Show 3 2023 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage.	July 9, 2023	July 17, 2023
Link	"Song of Summer" from Show 3 2023 being performed on Charlotte (Pineville)'s 3-Stage	Summer 2023	April 29, 2024
Link	A stage tour taken in July 2023	July 2023	January 6, 2024
Link	A tour of the store in April 2024 by the Sets, Streets, & Eats YouTube channel.	April 25, 2024	May 5, 2024
Link	The first footage of the retro remodel (actual footage)	June 11th, 2024	June 11th, 2024
Link	Footage of Pizzacam after being sent from the Showbiz Pizza Time Distribution Center (Topeka, KS).	June 18, 2024	June 18, 2024