Northridge, CA (8425 Reseda Blvd)
Exterior (August 18, 2023)
Northridge, CA (8425 Reseda Blvd, Store #451) was a Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre that opened in September 1981 with Cyberamics, which is still open to this day.
The location is officially deemed the Munch's Make Believe Band Residency, with plans for it to be a permanent home for its 2-Stage and "all legacy Chuck E. Cheese nostalgia".[1] It will be the only location with animatronics left after the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program is finished.
Stages
Originally when the store opened, they had a Balcony Stage, as all other Pizza Time Theatres had. They would have the Balcony Stage for several years, until the late 80's or early 90's, when they would convert to Chuck E.'s House Facade, they would have it for a very short time, when in 1993, they would convert to a 2-Stage. Only major cosmetical changes to happen prior to 2011 was the replacement of the tuxedo with Cool Chuck sometime during the 2000s. In 2011, the Lancaster, CA (44650 Valley Central Way) location would relocate and with that, all of their animatronics would be sent to Northridge to replace their original 1981 PTT Cyberamics. They now have 1990s Cyberamics which are much sturdier than the original and having cosmetics in much better shape. Despite Northridge getting the 2.0 remodel the stage's TV would be replaced by August 15th, 2023 and was also kept to become the "permanent home of the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic gang". Chuck E's shirt would be replaced with the Rockstar shirt on October 26th the same year, followed by the stage receiving lift curtains from the Huntington Beach location on November 5th.
| Stage | Installed | Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony Stage | September 1981 | 1989-1990 |
| Chuck E.'s House Facade | 1989-1990 | 1993 |
| 2-Stage | 1993 | Still in Use |
| Dance Floor | August 2023 | Still in Use |
| Video Wall | September 2023 | Still in Use |
History
1981-1992
Opened in September 1981 as a Pizza Time Theatre with a Balcony Stage. As Lounge/Cabaret acts they would receive The King and Dolli Dimples, opening up with Harmony Howlette. In the late 80s they would recieve the SPT 1988 Remodel Program removing the remains of Pizza Time Theater.
1993-2023
In 1993 they would receive the SPT 1992 Remodel Program which would renovate the restaurant bringing in the shelves, balcony, records and more! Around this time they would receive the 2-Stage. The store would remain untouched with only minor changes such as recieving carpet from the CEC 2010 Update Program and installed a Salad Bar poster from the CEC 2005 Remodel Program.
2.0 Remodel
On July 25, 2023 Northridge would start its 2.0 Remodel. Originally intended become a standard 2.0 according to blueprints. But last minute plans changed it became the first Chuck E. Cheese Retro Store technically. Although originally planned to keep more of the 90s artwork but due to lack of discussion between CEC Entertainment, LLC & The Supervisor of the remodel these plans were dropped and all old artwork was either destroyed or put into the trailer for SPT. As of current all that remains from its 1993 remodel is the 2-Stage and the Shelves which had the Chuck E. Cheese statues removed a few months prior.
Grand Re-Opening Event
On October 12, 2023, CEC Entertainment would send a letter to Logan Carreiro, a kid who had previously petitioned for the company to save its animatronics and had made headlines previously in the year, for an invitation to the store's grand re-opening. He will be flown with all expenses paid to the event to be named the honorary title "Chuck E. Cheese Chief Animatronic Officer".[2]
The letter also stated that Northridge would be the "animatronic team's new permanent home", being the first official statement given on Northridge's remodel keeping the animatronics. This would imply CEC would be using the remodel and Logan's honorary title as a PR move to combat the controversy of removing animatronics in the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program.[2]
On that same day, Donovan Marcelle, programmer for CEC Corporate, would hold a livestream programming an unknown show segment. This was despite just a month earlier confirming that all showtape programming was to cease due to budget cuts. In this, they would pin a message in the livestream chat saying "Programming something special..... but what???!!". This hints toward the possibility of the new programming being for the event, but has not been confirmed officially.[3]
On October 14th it would be confirmed by Logan that the grand re-opening event would be taking place on November 10th.[4]
Chuck E. Cheese LIVE Announcement
On October 25th, 2023, CEC would start a livestream and subsequent Facebook Event for a "Chuck E. Cheese LIVE Announcement". Its description stated "Chuck E. Cheese has big news to share with fans young and old.".
The livestream would start on many platforms, having the characters announce the new plans for the location to become the permanent residency for animatronic characters. A PopVerse article would also report with more statements and pictures. The livestreams itself however had multiple issues with being muted and starting in the middle of the announcement.
Reopening Event Party
The party would start on November 10th at 4pm on as a media preview event lasting until 6pm. From 6pm to 8pm the public is allowed in the restaurant. The media preview will feature Nolan Bushnell and David McKillips to discuss the legacy and future of the company.
The public event would be confirmed to start with the animatronics performing with their exclusive location-specific showtape [5] Visitors will get free cake and a poster upon visiting, alongside having chances to win prizes such as a free Chuck E. Cheese birthday party or a VIP play band loaded with one full year of unlimited All You Can Play time. If visiting the event with any Chuck E. Cheese tokens, they can be traded in for an exclusive commemorative pin. The first 25 families to enter will get 1 free hour at the arcade.
During the event's press release, the previously stated "Chief Animatronic Officer" Logan would instead be set to be crowned "Chief Entertainment Officer for the day".
Arcade Machines
Skill
- Pop It for Gold
- Tight Rope
- Centipede Chaos
- Big Win Super Spin
- Big Bass Wheel Pro
- Pop the Lock
- Deadstorm Pirates
- Harpoon Lagoon
- Golden Empire
- Black Hole
- Space Invaders Frenzy
- Redhot
- Teeter Totter Castle
- Birthday Party
- Choppy Wood
- NBA Game Time
- Angry Birds Arcade
- Avengers Coin Pusher (Single)
- Alley Roller Classic (4 units)
- 2 Minute Drill
- Circus Ball Drop
- Jurassic Park Arcade
- Jurassic World
- Full Tilt
- Nitro Trucks (2 units)
- Transformers Human Alliance
- Fishbowl Frenzy
- Rescue Hero
- Halo Fireteam Raven (2-player)
- Trolls
- Stack-It
- Lumber Jack
- Pink Panther Jewel Heist
- Sonic Blast Ball
- Chuck E.'s Fun Photos Photo Booth
- Galaga Assault
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2017)
- Crossy Road
- Super Star
- Fruit Ninja FX
- Chuck E. Cheese's Sketch Book
- Mario & Sonic Olympic Games Tokyo
Coin-Action
- Spongebob Pineapple Arcade
Kiddie
- Arka Jungle Boat
- Chameleon Paradize
- Minion Whacker
- Chuck E. Cheese's Color Photo Ride (Rockstar, 2019)
- High Five!
- Blue Camper Van
- Mystery Machine
- Octonauts
- Spongebob Super Striker
- NBA Hoop Troop Jr.
- Ducky Splash
- PJ Masks Cat Car
- Cheeky Monkey Football
Animatronics
| Animatronic | Manufacturing Date | Whereabouts |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Destroyed / Replaced by Lancaster, CA show. |
| Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Destroyed / Replaced by Lancaster, CA show. |
| Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Destroyed / Replaced by Lancaster, CA show. |
| Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Destroyed / Replaced by Lancaster, CA show. |
| Pasqually (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Destroyed / Replaced by Lancaster, CA show. |
| Warblettes (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Waving Flags (Cyberamic) | N/A | Unknown |
| Applause Board (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Drum Board (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Singing Flowers (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Dolli Dimples (Cabaret) | Unknown | Unknown |
| The King / King Kat (Lounge) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Currently in Use. Originally from Lancaster, CA |
| Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Currently in Use. Originally from Lancaster, CA |
| Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Currently in Use. Originally from Lancaster, CA |
| Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Currently in Use. Originally from Lancaster, CA |
| Pasqually (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Currently in Use. Originally from Lancaster, CA |
| Wink (Cyberamic) | 1993? | Currently in Use |
Gallery
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![Northridge's exterior in (1988)[6]](//static.miraheze.org/decodedocdigitizewiki/thumb/5/56/Northridge%27s_exterior_in_1988_PC-_%40ajkruse1797.png/120px-Northridge%27s_exterior_in_1988_PC-_%40ajkruse1797.png)
Northridge's exterior in (1988)[6]
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Exterior (2020's)
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SPT Parody Awards being hidden behind arcade machines (2023)
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Official Grand Re-Opening Promotional Photo (November 2, 2023)
![Northridge's exterior in (1988)[6]](/wiki/File:Northridge%27s_exterior_in_1988_PC-_@ajkruse1797.png)
Videos
| Link | Description | Filming Date |
|---|---|---|
| Link | Footage of the store featured on Made; this features a small clip of the show's Jasper animatronic performing Ace in The Hole from the January 2001 Show. | 2001 |
| Link | Exterior before the 2.0 Remodel. | April 13, 2023 |
| Link | Store tour before the 2.0 Remodel. | July 28, 2023 |
| Link | Store tour during the 2.0 Remodel. | August 1, 2023 |
| Link | Store tour during the 2.0 Remodel. | August 18, 2023 |
| Link | Official CEC Live announcement of the store's grand-reopening and its place as the Munch's Make Believe Band Residency. | October, 2023. |
