Eau Claire, WI (2221 Eastridge Center)
2221 Eastridge Center was a ShowBiz Pizza location that opened on April 30th, 1987 in the Eastridge Shopping Center. They closed in 1989 at an unknown date, after two years in operation. This makes this location the shortest-lived Chuck E. Cheese's/ShowBiz Pizza ever opened. After they closed, they became a Circus Pizza for a short period until they closed in 1991.
This store is notable for being the first location to open with a final version of Chuck E.'s House, also known as the Rocker Stage. They were the second overall, counting the early version at the Arlington, TX (2216 S Fielder Rd) store. They were likely the first location to close with a Rocker Stage, having never replaced theirs.
History
Eau Claire opened on April 30th, 1987, in the Eastridge Center, one of the earliest modern Chuck E. Cheese's locations, being the fifth overall. This location housed the second Chuck E.'s House, and the first final version. This location got the 1988 remodel in 1988-1989 which got rid of most PTT decor, changed the name to Chuck E Cheese’s Pizza, and added checkers around the building. This location was short-lived, closing in late 1989, two years after opening. This would make it the shortest-lived Chuck E. Cheese's ever, beating Danbury, CT (20 Backus Ave) by one year. No images exist or are known to exist of Eau Claire anywhere, and no videos have surfaced either, due to this location's short lifespan.
Post Closure
After they closed in 1989, they would become a Circus Pizza restaurant, possibly getting a Rock-afire Classic Stage installed at the location. This location closed in 1991. The building it was housed in is now a Highland Fitness, with most, if not all remnants removed.
Stages
This store had the first final Chuck E.'s House and the second overall and would keep it until closure.
| Stage | Installed | Removed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck E.'s House | April 30th, 1987 | Late 1989 | Second Chuck E.'s House installed. |
Animatronics
| Animatronic | Manufacturing Date | Whereabouts |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic) | 1987 | Unknown |
| Helen Henny (Cyberamic) | 1987 | Unknown |
| Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) | 1987 | Unknown |
| Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) | 1987 | Unknown |
| Pasqually (Cyberamic) | 1987 | Unknown |
| Singing Flowers (Cyberamic) | 1987 | Unknown |