Davenport, IA (903 E Kimberly Rd)
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Davenport after closure, April 8 2024. (PC:WQAD News 8)
903 E Kimberly Rd was a ShowBiz Pizza Place that opened on February 25, 1981 with a Rock-afire Explosion, and closed on April 7, 2024 as a Chuck E. Cheese.[1] It was located in the Old Town Shopping Center.
History
Davenport opened its doors in February 25th, 1981 with a Rock-afire Explosion show. Davenport was originally a corporate-owned store before becoming franchised in 1984, and later became a corporate-owned store again in 1996. It was the second ShowBiz Pizza Place in the state of Iowa. Davenport would eventually receive the 80s Remodel between 1988-1990. Although very little documentation exists back in the ShowBiz days, it can be determined that Davenport 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, Davenport received the ShowBiz Pizza Campground upgrade.
In April 1991, Davenport received Concept Unification which converted the show to Munch's Make Believe Band. On September 16, 1996, the location was sold to corporate along with West Des Moines, Cedar Falls, and Cedar Rapids. In 1997, Davenport would receive a remodel which removed the late 80s decor and added new decor and SkyTubes. Davenport remained this way until sometime in 2006-2007 when they received the 00s Remodel which involved removing the Showroom walls, balcony seating, and received a new exterior. Davenport would receive another exterior remodel in 2018 when the shopping center received a major remodel. Davenport received the 2.0 Remodel in September 2019 which caused the removal of the 3-Stage for the Dance Floor.
On April 7, 2024, Davenport closed permanently after 43 years of operation.
Stages
Davenport opened with the Rock-afire Explosion in February 1981. Unfortunately, there are not much photos but no videos to exist of Davenport with the Rock-afire, or as a ShowBiz in general.
In April 1991, Davenport received Concept Unification, converting the Rock-afire into Munch’s Make Believe Band.
In 2018, Davenport received an exterior remodel from the shopping center remodel.
In September 2019, Davenport started the 2.0 Remodel, removing the 3-Stage and adding a Dance Floor. Chuck E., Helen, Munch, and Jasper were sent to Omaha, NE, and Pasqually was sent to Lincoln, NE.
| Stage | Installed | Removed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock-afire Explosion | February 1981 | April 1991 | Second ShowBiz Pizza Place in Iowa. |
| 3-Stage | April 1991 | September 2019 | |
| Dance Floor | September 2019 | April 2024 | 2019 Model. First 2.0 in Iowa. |
Animatronics
| Character | Serial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe | 10-80 1-6 | Sent to Omaha, NE (225 N 76th St), destroyed. |
| Pasqually / Dook Larue | 10-80 2-6 | Sent to Lincoln, NE (221 N 66th St), destroyed. |
| Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo | 10-80 3-6 | Sent to Omaha, NE (225 N 76th St), destroyed. Remains owned by private collectors. |
| Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear | 10-80 4-6 | Sent to Omaha, NE (225 N 76th St), owned by a private collector. |
| Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella | 10-80 5-6 | Sent to Omaha, NE (225 N 76th St), destroyed. |
| Billy Bob | 10-80 6-6 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Pizzacam / Looney Bird | 10-80 7-6 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Munch Jr. / Choo Choo | 10-80 8-6 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Building / Sun | 10-80 10-6 | Destroyed |
| Moon | 10-80 11-6 | Destroyed |
| Antioch | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Wink | N/A | Destroyed |
Gallery
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Exterior, 2020 (PC: Nate Woolsey)
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Videos
TODO