Wilmington, NC (4389 Oleander Dr)

4389 Oleander Dr was a Showbiz Pizza Place that opened on July 23, 1984 with a Rock-Afire Explosion, which closed October 13, 2020.

This location received Concept Unification in 1992, and had the last original Munch Jr. animatronic until they closed.

History

Wilmington opened July 23rd, 1984 as the 4th ShowBiz store in North Carolina (Following Charlotte, NC, Fayetteville, NC, & Asheville, NC) with the RockAfire Explosion. Wilmington would however not receive the CEC 1988 Remodel until Concept Unification in 1992; converting the RockAfire Explosion into Munch's Make Believe Band. Wilmington would receive another remodel in Late 1997 which involved raising the ceilings, completely remodeling the exterior facade (which was completed Q1 1998), & adding bigger windows. In 1999-2002, they received Plastic masks (Except Pasqually) & removed the Munch's Make Believe Band Sign and Neon Signs. By March 2003, Chuck's Tux & Derby was replaced with the Cool Chuck outfit. Later that same year, Pasqually received a plastic mask & the stage was recarpeting (Munch Jr was originally supposed to be removed that year). In around the Mid 2000's Munch Jr's vent was replaced, & extra hairs were added to Jasper's mask to prevent the mask from cracking. In Q1 2008, Wilmington underwent a major 2005 Remodel which involved moving the Salad Bar to the front of the store, removal of Showroom Walls, Balcony Seating, speakers that were on the sides of the stage, & adding purple walls. Around this time, Chuck's outfit was also replaced with the Avenger outfit as well. In 2013, Chuck's cap was removed. In April-May 2014, Helen's pigtails were replaced with Cheeto colored ones seen on the walkaround costumes, Helen's hands were replaced with Cyberamic ones a couple years later. Around this timeframe, they would receive a Studio C Beta from Danbury, CT (20 Backus Ave) which was left unused and in storage. In Mid 2018, Pizzacam was modified with a working LED light. Munch's mask was replaced not long after. In Mid 2019, Chuck's outfit was replaced with the full Rockstar. In July-September 2020, there were plans to reopen the store including restoring the 3-Stage and replacing the ceiling tiles with new ones. The store finally closed on October 13th, 2020 due to numerous issues.

As of October 2022, the store's exterior remains intact but the interior has since been gutted.

Stages

Originally when the store opened, they had a Rock-Afire Explosion, as all other Showbiz locations had. Wilmington's show was manufactured in January of 1982, being batch number 1. They would have the RAE for a few years, until 1992, when they would receive Concept Unification, this was the process used to turn the RAE into the Chuck E. Cheese characters. They would have the 3-Stage until they closed. They would have the last Munch Jr. animatronic in-store. They would also be the only location so far to have the full "Rockstar" outfit (shirt and jeans), other than Dept. 18's programming show.

Stage	Installed	Removed	Notes
RockAfire Explosion	July 1984	1992	Reused show from an unknown ShowBiz Pizza Place that opened in 1982.
3-Stage	1992	October 2020	Last 3-Stage with all prop characters (Building, Moon, PizzaCam, & Munch Jr.)
Studio C Beta 16m	Never Installed	October 2020	From Danbury, CT (20 Backus Ave), Never Installed and later trashed after closure.

Animatronics

Animatronic	Serial Code	Whereabouts
Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe	1-82 1-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Pasqually / Dook Larue	1-82 2-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo	1-82 3-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear	1-82 4-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella	1-82 5-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Billy Bob	1-82 6-1	Unknown
Pizzacam / Looney Bird	1-82 7-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Munch Jr. / Choo Choo	1-82 8-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Building / Sun	1-82 10-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Moon	1-82 11-1	Owned by a Private Collector.
Antioch	N/A	Destroyed
Wink	N/A	Owned by a Private Collector.
Chuck E. Cheese 16m (Animatronic)	N/A	From Danbury, CT (20 Backus Ave); Never Used, Destroyed.
Pizza Time Clock	N/A	From Danbury, CT (20 Backus Ave); Never Used, Owned by a Private Collector.

Gallery

TODO

YouTube Videos

Link	Title	Published Date / Filming Date	Credit To