Fargo, ND (1202 Nodak Dr)
1202 Nodak Dr was a Chuck E. Cheese’s that opened on February 8, 1984 as a franchised ShowBiz Pizza Place with a Rock afire Explosion.
History
Fargo opened its doors in February 8th, 1984 with a Rock-afire Explosion show. It was originally a franchise-owned store. Like many other ShowBiz 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. Although very little documentation exists back in the ShowBiz days, it can be determined that Fargo 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, Fargo received the Showbiz Pizza Campground upgrade.
In around 1991/1992, Fargo received Concept Unification which converted the show to Munch's Make Believe Band. In around the Mid-Late 1900's, Fargo received either Phase 1 or Phase 2 remodel. Fargo remained this way until sometime in 2009 when they received a major 2005 Remodel which involved removing the Showroom Walls, balcony Seating, and redoing the entire left hand side of the store, only leaving the Pickup Window. Them among with Billings, MT were one of the first locations to switch to Pepsi in the 2000s. Both stores were bought out by Corporate in October 2022. They then received the 2.0 Remodel shortly after removing the 3-Stage and adding a Dance Floor + Video Wall. The store's grand reopening was on December 28th, 2022[1].
Stages
Fargo opened with the Rock afire Explosion in 1984. Unfortunately, there are hardly any photos or videos to exist of Fargo with the Rock afire, or as a ShowBiz in general. But, there is a photo of its original exterior.
In the 1990s, Fargo received Concept Unification, converting the Rock afire into Munch’s Make Believe Band.
In December 2022, Fargo started the 2.0 Remodel, removing the 3-Stage and adding a Dance Floor + Video Wall.
| Stage | Installed | Removed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock-Afire Explosion | February 1984 | 1991 or 1992 | Only Showbiz in North Dakota |
| 3-Stage | 1991 or 1992 | December 2022 | |
| Dance Floor + Video Wall | December 2022 | Still In Use | Received 2.0 shortly after being bought out by Corporate. 2021 Model. |
Animatronics
| Character | Serial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe | 1-83 1-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Pasqually / Dook Larue | 1-83 2-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo | 1-83 3-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear | 1-83 4-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella | 1-83 5-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Billy Bob | 1-83 6-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Pizzacam / Looney Bird | 1-83 7-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Munch Jr. / Choo Choo | 1-83 8-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Building / Sun | 1-83 10-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Moon | 1-83 11-5 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Antioch | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Wink | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
Gallery
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A Photo of the Exterior before the 2005 remodel (PC: geocities.com)
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A photo of the store's 2005 Remodel Exterior before the building was repainted in 2.0 colors (PC: MapQuest).
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A photo of Fargo's 2005 Remodel Exterior before the building was repainted in 2.0 colors (PC: SAGERT BOYS on YouTube).
Videos
TODO