Metairie, LA (7000 Veterans Blvd)
The store's exterior in 2018 before replacing the Avenger Chuck E sign. (PC: Veronica Lopez)
Metarie, LA (7000 Veterans Memorial Blvd), Store #716 was a Showbiz Pizza/Chuck E. Cheese that opened on June 24, 1981 as a corporate ShowBiz Pizza Place with a Rock-Afire Explosion and closed on March 17, 2024 with a Studio C Alpha stage.
This is not to be confused with the Metairie, LA (1845 Airline Hwy) Pizza Time Theatre location which opened in October 1982 and closed in 1986 with a Balcony Stage.
History
Metairie opened its doors in June 24th, 1981 with a Rock-afire Explosion show. It was originally and currently a corporate-owned store. Like many other ShowBiz Pizza 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 Metairie 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, Metairie received the Showbiz Pizza Campground upgrade.
In around 1991/1992, Metairie received Concept Unification which converted the show to Munch's Make Believe Band. In around the Mid-Late 1990's, Metairie received either Phase 1 or Phase 2 remodel which removed some early 90's decor and added new decor and SkyTubes. In 2000, Metairie received the Phase 3 remodel which removed the 3-Stage for the Studio C Alpha. Metairie remained this way until sometime in 2006-2007 when they received the 2005 Remodel which involved removing the Showroom Walls, Balcony Seating, received a new exterior, and also removing some older 90's decor. Sometime in 2020, the Exterior logo was replaced with the 2.0 logo and also received a replacement road sign as well. As of May 2023, they still have the Alpha stage. On March 17, 2024, the store would close down in favor of relocating to a different space in the shopping center due to the center being redeveloped.[1]
Stages
Metairie opened with the Rock afire Explosion in June 1981. Unfortunately, there are no photos or videos to exist of Metairie with the Rock afire, or as a ShowBiz in general.
In 1991/1992, Metairie received Concept Unification, converting the Rock afire into Munch’s Make Believe Band.
In 2000, Metairie removed the 3-Stage, it was soon replaced with a Studio C Alpha stage. The Studio C Alpha would be removed when the store closed on March 17, 2024
| Stage | Installed | Removed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock-Afire Explosion | June 1981 | 1991 or 1992 | 2nd Showbiz in Louisiana. |
| 3-Stage | 1991 or 1992 | 2000 | One of 5 Showbiz stores in Louisiana to undergo Concept Unification. One of 8 stores to get the Cheerleader Helen outfit. |
| Studio C (1997) | 2000 | March 2024 | One of two Studio C Alphas installed in the state. Last one in Louisiana. |
Animatronics
| Character | Serial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe | 1-81 1-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Pasqually / Dook Larue | 1-81 2-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo | 1-81 3-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear | 1-81 4-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella | 1-81 5-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Billy Bob | 1-81 6-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Pizzacam / Looney Bird | 1-81 7-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Munch Jr. / Choo Choo | 1-81 8-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Building / Sun | 1-81 10-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Moon | 1-81 11-3 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Antioch | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Wink | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Chuck E. Cheese 32m (Animatronic) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bird (Animatronic) | N/A | Unknown |
| Pizza Time Clock | N/A | Unknown |
| Pizza Phone | N/A | Unknown |
Gallery
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![A bit of the store's street sign as a Showbiz Pizza Place seen behind the Metairie Bank sign on April 14th, 1988.[2]](//static.miraheze.org/decodedocdigitizewiki/thumb/0/09/MetairieLAShowbizPizzaPlaceStreetSign.png/120px-MetairieLAShowbizPizzaPlaceStreetSign.png)
A bit of the store's street sign as a Showbiz Pizza Place seen behind the Metairie Bank sign on April 14th, 1988.[2]
![A bit of the store's street sign as a Showbiz Pizza Place seen behind the Metairie Bank sign on April 14th, 1988.[2]](/wiki/File:MetairieLAShowbizPizzaPlaceStreetSign.png)
Videos
| Link | Description | Filming Date |
|---|---|---|
| Link | Footage of the store's 3-Stage performing Strike It Up. | November 2nd, 1996 |