Florence, KY (7635 Mall Rd)

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Florence's Exterior (2022) PC: Joshua


Florence, Ky (7635 Mall Rd) #212/112 originally opened on April 19, 1982 as a Pizza Time Theater with a Balcony Stage.[1] and is currently a Chuck E. Cheese with a Chuck E. Live Stage (Dance Floor).

The Florence, KY Pizza Time Theatre opened as a franchise under the Bernstein Restaurant Group. The location was sold to corporate on August 25, 2008.

Stages

The store opened with the Balcony Stage with Madame Oink being the first guest star playing Around the World with Madam Oink also featured The King in the Lounge both debuting on April 19, 1982[2]. The location would then receive Harmony Howlette in 1982[3] and finally Helen Henny in 1983.

Between 1988-1989 Florence would receive the Chuck E.'s House; Around this time the The King would also be removed. in 2000 Helen would receive brand new cosmetics replacing her Pizza Time Theatre look for the newer 90s Cosmetics. The animatronic flowers would also be removed around this time[4][5].

Between 2002-2003 Florence would replace the Chuck E.'s House with 2-Stage from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd).[6] Hampton, VA was owned by Family Entertainment Centers of Virginia, Inc[7], which relocated in May 2002[8]. The Wink and curtains were not installed most likely due to damage during shipping.

In 2007 Florence would replace the Tuxedo on Chuck E. Cheese for the "Cool Chuck" attire. Around this time the TV Shell would be removed.

In October/November 2010 Florence received the CEC 2005 Remodel Program. During the remodel the stage was relocated from the right wall to the store's back wall; The two buildings were switched around with the stage itself was rebuilt.

In late 2017, the stage's old lightbulbs were replaced with LEDs, the TV was replaced with a flatscreen, and a small lightbox with a blue LED strip in it was added underneath aforementioned TV. [9]

On March 31, 2022 Florence's 2-Stage was removed for its new 2.0 remodel. Replacing the stage with the 2021 Chuck E. Live Stage (Dance Floor) and Video Wall.

Stage Debuted Removed
Balcony Stage April 19, 1982 1988-1989
Chuck E.'s House 1988-1989 2002-2003
2-Stage 2002-2003 March 31, 2022
Dance Floor + Video Wall March 31, 2022 Still In Use

History

The Florence, KY location was opened on April 19, 1982 by The Bernstein Restaurant Group. "...play some 60 video games at the resturant. There also will be a ski-ball lane to play and hydraulic rides, such as a carousel and a helocopter, for children to ride." "The dining room will feature a puppet show. The puppets are electronic and are activated by computer tape. "The shows last about seven or eight minutes," said Bernstein". [10] Despite a May 1982 article stating "computer-controlled robots with names such as Dolli Dimples and the Beagles entertain youngsters." [11] There is no photographic proof they existed and this is the only article referencing them.

In July 1984 while the parent company Pizza Time Theatre was declaring bankruptcy Jim Berenstain stated "Chuck E. Cheese is not dead. We're in business and planning to stay,". [12]

By 1987 Showbiz Pizza Place & Pizza Time Theatre had merged together with the ads beginning to reflect that. Since by that point every other SPP & PTT in the area had closed only Florence, Ky & Cincinnati, OH (8801 Colerain Ave) would be the only stores to show on these ads.[13]

In 1988 Florence would receive the SPT 1988 Remodel Program renovating the store to begin removing and replace the Pizza Time Theatre branding.

Beginning in Mid Cincinnati, OH (4394 Eastgate Square Dr) (Owned by Bernstein Restaurant Group) had begin showing up in advertisements in the area following its June 1990 opening. [14]

In late 1992 Sharonville, OH (1429 E Kemper Rd) began to appear on advertisements as the store re-opened as a Chuck E. Cheese's. Along with that Louisville, KY (5743 Preston Hwy) would begin showing up on the advertisements despite not being nearby to other locations on said advertisements. The store is removed in November 1997 after closing.[15]

In 1997-1998 they would receive Phase 1 (1994) while also installing the standard Skytubes, New Game Package, and Kid Check the store would also receive new artwork such as the magazines and sports fixtures but also a new exterior replacing the "Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza" one from 1990 with the new Star Chuck exterior sign and removing the "Pizza" text from the exterior.

Between 1995 - 1998 Florence, Ky would receive the SPT 1992 Remodel Program this would involve painting over the checkers, removing the neon signage, installing new artwork, recarpeting the store, keeping the old booths, keeping the oil paintings, and keeping the booths.

In 2002-2003, Florence would receive an updated art package along with the 2-Stage from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd).[6] The artwork they received is CEC Warhol - Tri (CEC Décor), "F.R.I.E.N.D.Z" (Must C TV Award), "The C Files" (Must C TV Award), "CWO" (Must C TV Award), "ERrr" (Must C TV Award), "Cheesy Television" (Must C TV Award) Ice Hockey (CEC Décor), Soccer (CEC Décor), and Toddler Zone Fire Truck (CEC Décor). Two of the CD Awards were relocated to the other side of the Show Room where the other two CD Awards already were located. During this update they would replace all of the SPT 1988 Remodel Program booths with the SPT 1992 Remodel Program booths and wood paneling was also updated to be up to modern standards.[16]

On August 25, 2008, the store became a corporate-owned location. With this the store number would change from Store #212 to Store #112

In October/November 2010, Florence would receive the CEC 2005 Remodel Program. During the remodel, all aspects of previous remodels would be removed. The showroom was heavily redone moving the stage to the back wall, relocating the restrooms to the showroom leading to the showroom being downsized, installation of new Skytubes and the store would expand 2,500 sq ft.[17]

In Winter 2014 the store would receive another Game Package replacing/removing several older games.

In April 2016, Florence would receive a Game Package with several games older games being sent to other stores in the district or destroyed. Later in 2016 the store would receive Chuck E.'s Play Pass.

In 2017, the Skytubes would be removed.

On March 14, 2022, Florence would begin its CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program. This would involve removing all aspects of the CEC 2005 Remodel Program. During the remodel original Pizza Time Theatre bricks were briefly uncovered. On March 31, 2022 the 2-Stage would be removed and replaced with the 2021 Chuck E. Live Stage (Dance Floor) and Video Wall. The store would have its grand re-opening on May 10, 2022 with special appearance of Boardman, OH (521 Boardman Poland Rd) 2000s Helen Henny walkaround as part of the festivities.[18]

Videos

Link Description Filming Date Publish Date
Link Footage of Florence in 1998 1998 October 9, 2015.
Link Footage of Florence in 2000 2000 November 27, 2020.
Link Footage of Florence during January 2005 singing "Keep It Groovin'" January 2005 January 25, 2018
Link April 2013 Segment 2 at Florence. April 2013 June 28, 2013
Link Chuck E.'s Place 2017 prior to several aesthetic changes to the stage. 2017 August 13, 2017
Link Store Tour from August 2017 August 13, 2017 August 16, 2017
Link Gamin' Time prior to several aesthetic changes to the stage. August 13, 2017 April 19, 2022
Link Store Tour right after an updated game package. September 15, 2018 October 6, 2018
Link A video showcasing the 2-Stage with decorations form Bootacular 2021 October 9, 2021 October 9, 2021
Link Footage of the show after being removed April 1, 2022 April 1, 2022
Link The Remodeling Process March-April 2022 May 15, 2022
Link Documentation of Florence's history. May-June 2022 June 3, 2022

Gallery

  • Florences Exterior in 2005[19]
    Florences Exterior in 2005[19]
  • The Gameroom next to the entrance of the store [20]
    The Gameroom next to the entrance of the store [20]
  • The right wall of the Gameroom.[21]
    The right wall of the Gameroom.[21]
  • The Toddler Zone.[22]
    The Toddler Zone.[22]
  • More Gameroom.[23]
    More Gameroom.[23]
  • Menu at Florence.[24]
    Menu at Florence.[24]
  • Full Stage shot in 2005.[25]
    Full Stage shot in 2005.[25]
  • Last known photo of Chuck E.'s House Helen. Taken March 2000.[26]
    Last known photo of Chuck E.'s House Helen. Taken March 2000.[26]
  • Last known photo of the 2-Stage at Florence. Taken March 27, 2022.
    Last known photo of the 2-Stage at Florence. Taken March 27, 2022.
  • Florence after day 1 of stage removal. Taken March 31, 2022.
    Florence after day 1 of stage removal. Taken March 31, 2022.

Animatronics

Animatronic Serial / Manufacturing Date Whereabouts
Chuck E Cheese (Cyberamic) 1982 Removed in 2000s for 2-Stage, mechs were sent to USS Nightmare (Owned by the same owners)
Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) 1982 Removed in 2000s for 2-Stage, body was sent to Eastgate to convert Rocker Helen into standard helen. head got sent to USS Nightmare (Owned by the same owners)
Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) 1982 Removed in 2000s for 2-Stage, mechs were sent to USS Nightmare (Owned by the same owners)
Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) 1982 Removed in 2000s for 2-Stage, mechs were sent to USS Nightmare (Owned by the same owners)
Pasqually (Cyberamic) 1982 Unknown/Destroyed.
Warblettes (Cyberamic) 1982 Unknown/Destroyed.
Applause Board (Cyberamic) 1982 Unknown/Destroyed.
Drum Board (Cyberamic) 1982 Unknown/Destroyed.
Flag Wavers (Cyberamic) 1982 Unknown/Destroyed.
Singing Flowers (Cyberamic) Late 1980's Unknown/Destroyed.
The King / King Kat (Lounge) 1982 Unknown/Destroyed.
Chuck E Cheese (Cyberamic) 1982 Destroyed. Originally from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd). Removed in March 2022.
Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) 1982 Destroyed. Originally from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd). Removed in March 2022.
Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) 1982 Destroyed. Originally from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd). Removed in March 2022.
Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) 1982 Destroyed. Originally from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd). Removed in March 2022.
Pasqually (Cyberamic) 1982 Destroyed. Originally from Hampton, VA (4027 W Mercury Blvd). Removed in March 2022.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post/99572685/
  2. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/32415087/
  3. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/32427085/
  4. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CcGxjQavlow
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFkViBxFxlc
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb-4_qpPOAK/
  7. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-hampton-va-king/147663084/
  8. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/274161568/
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJj4veFzkLs
  10. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post/99572685/
  11. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/38825040/
  12. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/38804479/
  13. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/102005274/
  14. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/102054270
  15. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/101919542/
  16. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0012.png
  17. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-florence-expansi/147691436/
  18. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhSpJSqxkn0
  19. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0008.png/
  20. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0012.png/
  21. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0011.png
  22. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0004.png
  23. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0022.png
  24. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0015.png
  25. ↑ https://archive.org/details/CECflorenece-ky-2005-2021-photos/FloreneceKy2005-2007Photos0013.png
  26. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb_BmWqPxny/
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