San Jose, CA (370 S Winchester Blvd): Difference between revisions

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{{NoSources}}{{Generic|image=PTT WINCHESTER.png|desc=Winchester's exterior, taken shortly after opening.}}
[[File:PTT WINCHESTER.png|thumb|Winchester's exterior.|412x412px]]'''''370 South Winchester Blvd. San Jose, CA''''' was the first ''Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre'' that opened on May 17th 1977 as apart of Warner Communications Inc..
 
'''''370 South Winchester Blvd. San Jose, CA''''' was the first ''Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre'' that opened on May 17th, 1977 as apart of Warner Communications Inc, and closed in February of 1985.
Winchester would feature the Winchester PTT Show and would close permanently in February 1985.
==Stage==
When Winchester originally opened inwith May,a itshow featuredconsisting the V1of Chuck E. Cheese, Crusty the Cat and CrustyJasper modelsT. alongsideJowls in portrait frames. Also featured was Pasqually, Jasper,the Chef behind kitchen doors and the Warblettes, Clapperon Board,their Flagown Waversplatform. andScattered Theon Pizzashelves Timethroughout Orchestra.the Theroom guestwould starbe framethe remainedPizza inTime Orchestra and the store,Clapper althoughBoard blankedas outwell atas thevarious timeother objects. TheA more advanced guestbot, starHelen botHenny, would be delivered to the store on August 12, 1977,. endingShe thewould runbe ofreplaced thewith originalMadam premiereOink showtape.in TheFebruary guest star's frame differed slightly1978, havingand aFoxy protrudingColleen portraitfollowed framein toOctober bring attention to the character1978. Around June of 1978, the V2upgraded versions of Crusty and Chuck E. Cheese with more movements would be installed. WhenAs programmingshown forin Winchester/Kooser1979 botsfootage wereof discontinuedthe store, Winchester would play the showtapes they already had on hand over until they got Cyberamics. The portraitstore's bots' conditionwere duringnot thismaintained brief time was described as being beaten upoften. Between 1980-1981, Winchester would replace all of their bots with the[[Cyberamics]]. Cyberamic model.
==History==
{| class="wikitable"
[[File:PROTO LAYOUT.jpg|thumb|A concept drawing of a potential first store.|335x335px]]Development of Winchester as a location dates back to 1976 under the name "The Big Cheese", "Pizza Game Center", etc. The venue was planned to be a 6,000 square foot venue with 2 arcades and a casino lounge. A total of $43,106 worth of games and rides were purposed alongside the Mood Box and a Theatre Program. The second location (later being [[San Jose, CA (1371 Kooser Rd)]]) was also being planned alongside Winchester at the time.
|+
!Stage
!Installed
!Removed
|-
|Winchester PTT Show
|May 1977
|1980-1981
|-
|Portrait Stage
|1980-1981
|February 1985
|}
 
The spot chosen would be a 5,000 square foot building that ''Security Pacific Bank'' was moving out of. Drafts for a remodel of the building would be completed by December 22, 1976.<ref>http://csjpbce.sanjoseca.gov/ecmsviewer/704/407/3407704.pdf</ref> By January 18th, 1977, the plans for Winchester were sent to the County of Santa Clara and were approved with minor changes suggested by the county. On March 3rd, The Planning Commission gave the go-ahead to Warner Communications inc. to begin construction.<ref>http://csjpbce.sanjoseca.gov/ecmsviewer/705/407/3407705.pdf</ref> The Kooser Road store was also being proposed around this time, having it's location being voted on by the Planning Commission of San Jose.
===Guest Stars===
Upon opening, the first showtape that premiered upon opening was the [https://decodedocdigitize.miraheze.org/wiki/Pizza_Time_Theatre_Showtape Pizza Time Theatre Showtape]. It featured the regular cast of Pizza Time Players but but was absent of any Guest Star appearance. The first guest star premiered on August 12, 1977 starring Helen Henny and Crusty. An unknown guest star would be put in December of 1977. After Helen, Madame Oink would be installed in the guest star portrait in Febuary 1978. In August 1978, the spot would be filled up with Foxy Collen and a new showtape to boot. Helen Henny would once again return to the store in November 1978. Madame Oink would then come back yet again to wrap up the dedicated Portrait programming in May 1979. These shows would be played on loop until the store got their Cyberamics. Winchester's exact guest star wareabouts following the Cyberamic installation are unknown.
 
==History==
[[File:PROTO LAYOUT.jpg|thumb|A concept drawing of a potential first store.]]Development of Winchester as a location dates back to 1976 under the name "The Big Cheese", "Pizza Game Center", etc. The venue was planned to be a 6,000 square foot venue with 2 arcades and a casino lounge. A total of 43,106 dollars (223,900 adjusting for inflation) worth of games and rides were purposed alongside the Mood Box and a Theatre Program. The rest of the document documents budget estimates for aspects of the store. The 2nd location (Kooser) was also being planned alongside Winchester at the time. The spot chosen would be a 5,000 square foot building that ''Security Pacific Bank'' was moving out of. By January 18th, 1977, the plans for Winchester were sent to the County of Santa Clara and were approved with minor changes suggested by the county. On March 3rd, The Planning Commission gave the go-ahead to Warner Communications inc. to begin construction. Kooser was also being proposed around this time, having it's location being voted on by the Planning Commission of San Jose.
===Opening===
An ad campaign was launched in local newspapers and radio stations weeks before opening to generate hype. Winchester would host a series of press preview parties days before the public opening where select members of the press and vipVIP members were invited out to see Winchester early. On May 15th17th, 1977, Winchester opened to the public for the first time and became an instant hit amongst the local community.<ref>https://archive.org/details/the-gospel-of-st.-pong-revisited-vol-4-april-1977</ref> WorkingMost animatronicspeople wererarely neversaw seenworking animatronics outside of Disneyland, creating a novelty that drew peoplevisitors in. Often on weekends, the place would be at max capacity with a line outside reaching around the sidewalk.
===Post-Opening===
As time moved on, Winchester would receive a large amount of guest visiting every weekend, having their facility at max capacity most of the weekends. In September of 1977, a new menu and game-room carpets were added to the store. When Kooser opened in 19791978, a large majority of potential and current Pizza Time Theatre customers moved to the bigger and updated store. Although Winchester still had a sizable guest count and loyal patrons, new guests were few and far between. ''Four Corners'' would do a news report with Gene Landrum inside the Winchester building in late 1979.<ref>http://www.showbizpizza.com/videos/index.html</ref>
 
On September 11th, 1981, Winchester would receive the 1981 remodel. The estimated cost of the changes would amount to 4,500 dollars.
===Closure===
Around February 1985, Winchester would close permanently for unknown reasons, however it can be attributed towards the slow decline of guests over the years. The building would remain vacant. OnBy MayNovember 8th12, 19851986, the building's owner would change to Lim Yee, who would plan to open a new Chinese restaurant named "Ocean Harbor Chinese Seafood" was proposed to go onat the sitevacant ofWinchester the former PTTplot.<ref>http://csjpbce.sanjoseca.gov/ecmsviewer/021/470/2470021.pdf</ref> It would take several years of development with the renovation (including the interior and exterior) beginningbefore constructionbeing approved for occupancy (and assumedly subsequently opened) on April 1319, 1987.<ref>http://csjpbce.sanjoseca.gov/ecmsviewer/723/539/3539723.pdf</ref><ref>http://csjpbce.sanjoseca.gov/ecmsviewer/022/470/2470022.pdf</ref> It would remain open during the 90's, closing at an unknown date.<ref>https://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/06.04.98/dining-9822.html</ref> In 2002, the building was demolished alongside the rest of Town and Country Village. The former plot of land is now a shopping center.
 
==Arcade Machines==
 
=== 1977 ===
 
* Bally - Night Rider
* Midway - Sea Wolf
* Bally - Capt. Fantastic
* Brunswick - Air Hockey 8'
* AmericanAmericoin - Junkyard,???
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7193 Midway - Boot Hill, 1975]
* Sega - Shooting Trainer,???
* Bally - Freedom
* Pong Double-Kit - Atari,???
* Gottlieb - Solar City
* Williams - Grand Prix
* Sega - Shooting Trainer
* Pong Double-Kits - Atari ''(Pizza Game Booth)''
* Breakout - Atari ''(Pizza Game Booth)''
* Dominoes - Atari ''(Pizza Game Booth)''
* Tank - Atari ''(Pizza Game Booth)''
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9739 Sprint II - Atari, 1976]
* Stunt Cycle - Atari
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8866 Night Driver - Atari, 1976 (Not to be confused with stand-up version released in 1979)]
* Sprint II - Atari
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8188 Indy 4 - Atari, 1976]
* Night Driver - Atari
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10193 Triple Hunt - Atari, 1977]
* Indy 4 - Atari
* AtariansF-1 Mach - Atari & Namco, 1976
* Biorhythm
* Witch Hunt - Atari
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9159 Puppy Pong - Atari, 1974]
* F-1 - Atari
* Biorhythm - Atari
* Puppy Pong - Atari (Lounge)
* Cheese Crawl - Unknown
 
=== 1979 ===
 
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=13018 Football - Atari, 1977]
* Touch-Me - Atari, 1974 (Not to be confused with handheld)
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9782 Starship 1 - Atari, 1977]
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7814 Fire Truck - Atari, 1978]
* Unknown Shooter
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7340 Circus - Exidy, 1977]
* Circus - Exidy
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8929 Orbit - Atari, 1978]
* Orbit - Atari
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8400 LeMans - Atari, 1976]
* Unknown Racer
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8465 Lunar Lander - Atari, 1979]
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6955 Atari Baseball - Atari, 1979]
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9460 Sea Wolf 2 - Midway, 1978]
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9854 Stunt Cycle - Atari, 1977 (Not to be confused with home-console port)]
 
=== Pinball (1977) ===
 
* Atarians - Atari, 1976
* Night Rider - Bally, 1977
* Freedom - Bally, 1976
* Solar City - Gottlieb, 1977
* Grand Prix - Williams, 1976
* Captain Fantastic - Bally, 1976
==Videos==
{| class="wikitable"
Line 76 ⟶ 67:
!Filming Date
|-
|http://www.showbizpizza.com/videos/indexvintage/fourcorners4k.html
|A news report from Four Corners. Shows a good amount of the theatre, show, arcade rooms and the kitchen.
|Late 1979
Line 82 ⟶ 73:
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Winchesterbutjustgrass.png|Winchester before being built, athe center small singlegreen plot of grass inaround the entireparking townlots. (1960-1963)
File:Pasqbw77.png|Unknown Year
File:Winchester earth 1993.png|Satellite Imagery, 1993.
File:Winchesterwithgrandma.png|Unknown Year
File:Winchester chinese seasoof.png|Only picture of the store reopened as "Ocean Harbor Chinese Seafood", 1998.
File:First Jasper Animation Page 1 Image 0001.jpg|Unknown Year
File:Winchester earth 2000.png|Satellite Imagery, 2000.
File:047eebf70a7b710c0b2475c2fc0da32035bb8b77 00.jpg|Unknown Year
File:Winchester earth 2002.jpg|Satellite Imagery, 2002. After demolishing.
File:First Chuck E Cheese Costume Page 1 Image 0001 UPLIOAD HOLY SHIT.jpg|Unknown Year
File:Oldphotoofwinchesterandsuch.png|Grand Opening Promotional Photo (May 17th, 1977)<ref>https://archive.org/details/atariincbusiness0000gold/page/352/mode/2up?q=%22Restaurant+Operating%22</ref>
File:Atariemployeeatwinchester1970s.png|Grand Opening Promotional Photo (May 17th, 1977)<ref>https://archive.org/details/atariincbusiness0000gold/page/352/mode/2up?q=%22Restaurant+Operating%22</ref>
File:Sanjose1977mayorphoto.png|Grand Opening Promotional Photo (May 17th, 1977)<ref>https://archive.org/details/atariincbusiness0000gold/page/352/mode/2up?q=%22Restaurant+Operating%22</ref>
File:Wincehster chuck instore bw.jpg|In Store (B&W, Cropped), 1977
File:Promo photo 3 v1 chuck.jpg|1977
File:V1botnewbwimage.jpg|1977
File:Wincehster chuck instore bw.jpg|1977
File:11251016 1021342497896174 121383281 n.jpg|1977
File:Chuck BW.jpg|1977
File:Crusty 1977.jpg|1977
File:11820551 538465139640702 1333567148 n.jpg|1977
File:1978-Winchester-Pasqually.jpg|1978
File:1978-Winchester-CEC.jpg|1978
File:1978-Foxy-Colleen.jpg|1978
File:1977-Jasper.jpg|1978
File:Winchesternewphoto 1978 chuck.png|1978
File:Puresexiness.jpg|1979
File:WINCHSETERSHOT 2.jpg|1979
File:PTT 79COM STORYBOARD.png|1979
File:WINCHESTERSHOT CROPPED.jpg|Exterior Sign (1979)
File:Cec winchester after becoming ocean harbor.jpg|A shot of the store's entrance as "Ocean Harbor Chinese Seafood" (1990)
File:Winchester earth 1993.png|Satellite Imagery, Top Left- Fully Gray Roof Building (1993)
File:Winchester chinese seasoof.png|Picture of the store reopened as "Ocean Harbor Chinese Seafood" (1998)
File:Winchester earth 2000.png|Satellite Imagery, Top Left- Fully Gray Roof Building (2000)
File:Winchester earth 2002.jpg|Satellite Imagery, After demolishing (2002)
</gallery>
 
==Animatronics==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Animatronic
!Manufacturing Date
Line 98 ⟶ 114:
|[[Winchester Chuck E. Cheese V1 (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|Unknown exactly. Was saved by corp, wareabouts following the relocation of corp unknown.
|-
|[[Winchester Chuck E. Cheese V2 (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Owned by aTravis private collectorSchafer.
|-
|[[Winchester Crusty the Cat V1 (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|Unknown exactly. Could have been saved alongside Chuck.
|-
|[[Winchester Crusty the Cat V2 (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Owned by aTravis private collectorSchafer.
|-
|[[Winchester Pasqually (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Destroyed.
 
|-
|[[Winchester Jasper T. Jowls (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Destroyed.
|-
|[[Winchester GuestHelen StarHenny (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Winchester WarblettesMadam Oink (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown
|-
|[[Winchester Foxy Colleen (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown
|-
|[[Winchester Warblettes (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Winchester Pizza TImeTime Orchestra (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Winchester Flag Wavers (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Winchester ClapperApplause Board (Animatronic)]]
|Unknown
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Chuck E Cheese (Cyberamic)|'''Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic)''']]
|Unknown
|Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic)]]
| Unknown
|Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Mr. Munch (Cyberamic)]]
|Unknown
|Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Pasqually (Cyberamic)]]
|Unknown
|Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic)]]
|Unknown
|Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
|Unknown.
|-
|[[Warblettes (Cyberamic)]]
|Unknown
|Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
|Unknown.
|}
==References==
TBD

Revision as of 16:19, 28 May 2024

Winchester's exterior, taken shortly after opening.



370 South Winchester Blvd. San Jose, CA was the first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre that opened on May 17th, 1977 as apart of Warner Communications Inc, and closed in February of 1985.

Stage

Winchester opened with a show consisting of Chuck E. Cheese, Crusty the Cat and Jasper T. Jowls in portrait frames. Also featured was Pasqually the Chef behind kitchen doors and the Warblettes on their own platform. Scattered on shelves throughout the room would be the Pizza Time Orchestra and the Clapper Board as well as various other objects. A more advanced bot, Helen Henny, would be delivered to the store on August 12, 1977. She would be replaced with Madam Oink in February 1978, and Foxy Colleen followed in October 1978. Around June of 1978, upgraded versions of Crusty and Chuck E. Cheese with more movements would be installed. As shown in 1979 footage of the store, the store's bots were not maintained often. Between 1980-1981, Winchester would replace their bots with Cyberamics.

History

A concept drawing of a potential first store.

Development of Winchester as a location dates back to 1976 under the name "The Big Cheese", "Pizza Game Center", etc. The venue was planned to be a 6,000 square foot venue with 2 arcades and a casino lounge. A total of $43,106 worth of games and rides were purposed alongside the Mood Box and a Theatre Program. The second location (later being San Jose, CA (1371 Kooser Rd)) was also being planned alongside Winchester at the time.

The spot chosen would be a 5,000 square foot building that Security Pacific Bank was moving out of. Drafts for a remodel of the building would be completed by December 22, 1976.[1] By January 18th, 1977, the plans for Winchester were sent to the County of Santa Clara and were approved with minor changes suggested by the county. On March 3rd, The Planning Commission gave the go-ahead to Warner Communications inc. to begin construction.[2] The Kooser Road store was also being proposed around this time, having it's location being voted on by the Planning Commission of San Jose.

Opening

An ad campaign was launched in local newspapers and radio stations weeks before opening to generate hype. Winchester would host a series of press preview parties days before the public opening where select members of the press and VIP members were invited out to see Winchester early. On May 17th, 1977, Winchester opened to the public for the first time and became an instant hit amongst the local community.[3] Most people rarely saw working animatronics outside of Disneyland, creating a novelty that drew visitors in. Often on weekends, the place would be at max capacity with a line outside reaching around the sidewalk.

Post-Opening

As time moved on, Winchester would receive a large amount of guest visiting every weekend, having their facility at max capacity most of the weekends. In September of 1977, a new menu and game-room carpets were added to the store. When Kooser opened in 1978, a large majority of potential and current Pizza Time Theatre customers moved to the bigger and updated store. Although Winchester still had a sizable guest count and loyal patrons, new guests were few and far between. Four Corners would do a news report with Gene Landrum inside the Winchester building in late 1979.[4]

On September 11th, 1981, Winchester would receive the 1981 remodel. The estimated cost of the changes would amount to 4,500 dollars.

Closure

Around February 1985, Winchester would close permanently for unknown reasons, however it can be attributed towards the slow decline of guests over the years. The building would remain vacant. By November 12, 1986, the building's owner would change to Lim Yee, who would plan to open a new Chinese restaurant named "Ocean Harbor Chinese Seafood" at the vacant Winchester plot.[5] It would take several years of development with the renovation (including the interior and exterior) before being approved for occupancy (and assumedly subsequently opened) on April 19, 1987.[6][7] It would remain open during the 90's, closing at an unknown date.[8] In 2002, the building was demolished alongside the rest of Town and Country Village. The former plot of land is now a shopping center.

Arcade Machines

1977

1979

Pinball (1977)

  • Atarians - Atari, 1976
  • Night Rider - Bally, 1977
  • Freedom - Bally, 1976
  • Solar City - Gottlieb, 1977
  • Grand Prix - Williams, 1976
  • Captain Fantastic - Bally, 1976

Videos

Link Description Filming Date
http://www.showbizpizza.com/videos/vintage/fourcorners4k.html A news report from Four Corners. Shows a good amount of the theatre, show, arcade rooms and the kitchen. Late 1979

Gallery

Animatronics

Animatronic Manufacturing Date Whereabouts
Winchester Chuck E. Cheese V1 (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Winchester Chuck E. Cheese V2 (Animatronic) Unknown Owned by Travis Schafer.
Winchester Crusty the Cat V1 (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Winchester Crusty the Cat V2 (Animatronic) Unknown Owned by Travis Schafer.
Winchester Pasqually (Animatronic) Unknown Destroyed.
Winchester Jasper T. Jowls (Animatronic) Unknown Destroyed.
Winchester Helen Henny (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Winchester Madam Oink (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown
Winchester Foxy Colleen (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown
Winchester Warblettes (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Winchester Pizza Time Orchestra (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Winchester Flag Wavers (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Winchester Applause Board (Animatronic) Unknown Unknown.
Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic) Unknown Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) Unknown Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) Unknown Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
Pasqually (Cyberamic) Unknown Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) Unknown Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.
Warblettes (Cyberamic) Unknown Sold off in the store's auction. Current wareabouts unknown.

References