Cincinnati, OH (8801 Colerain Ave)
Opening: Nov. 11, 1981 - Sep. 22, 2019
Latitude Longitude: , 39.22993802-84.59255988
Stages
The store opened with the Classic Stage on November 11, 1981. They would receive Klunk in 1983 as part of The Amazing Uncle Klunk Traveling Show (Event) .(2) They would also retain Klunk retrofitting him into Santa as part of Santa On Stage Show 1983 (Event) .(3) In the late 1980s the Rock Afire Explosion would receive the Showbiz Pizza Campground.Colerain started Concept Unification Installation Manual on April 28, 1991(4), which began the process of converting the Rock Afire Explosion to the Concept Unification Stage . Concept Unification would be completed in May 1991. In the late 1990s Munch Jr would be removed from the 3-Stage with photos from the early 90s showing him fairly worn out. All Latex masks would be replaced with plastic masks by Winter 2002. In 2002 Chuck E.'s Tuxedo was replaced with Cool Chuck and Pizzacam would be removed from stage left being used for parts as late as 2005. In 2003 the base that the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic 'stood' on was removed. The following year (2004) would see more removals of affects and older latex cosmetics. In late 2004 the CEC Neon sign was removed after the 'Cheese' section was destroyed. The left hand of Pasqually was also replaced leaving the right hand latex. In 2005 the other hand would be replaced for plastic, Curtains also disabled company wide, In December 2005 Helen would have her original plastic mask replaced.
2006 would mark more removals of affects and props with the original latex feet of Chuck being replaced, The original TV Light & Shell were removed with the replacement of the 'Pioneer' projection TV. The original plastic mask for Chuck E. Cheese would also be replaced. The original Rock Afire guitar would also be replaced for the 'Cheese Guitar' the same year along with Jaspers mask. Two years after the curtains were disabled (2005) they would be removed across all three stages. With the removal of curtains Pizzacams box was relocated from the tech room to be used as a barrier for Moon & Building. The front piece was installed by Moon and the left panel was installed by Building. Pasqually would also receive a new mask in 2008. In 2009 the original plastic mask for Chuck E. Cheese would be reinstalled before being replaced again with the 2006 mask a few months later. At the same time Helen & Munch would receive new masks. In 2011 Chuck E. Cheese saw the removal of the Cool Chuck outfit for the newer Avenger outfit. In 2012 Helen would again receive a brand new mask, In 2013 the Munch's Make Believe Sign was removed.
In October 2016 Helens Latex Legs were replaced with the fabric variant. In 2017 Chuck E. Cheese would receive a new mask although with no teeth. December 2017 marked the end of the Moon as he was thrown out and destroyed. Helen would receive a new mask in Summer 2018 with the Buildings mask and lift removed but the base of the mech remaining. At the same time as that the CRT TV was removed from stage right with a replacement flat screen installed in Fall 2018. In Fall 2018 the condition of the stage would improve majorly although not for long as on September 22, 2019 the store would close and the show split up for parts / landfill. Parts of the show being sent to Springfield, OH (2345 Valley Loop Rd) such as Chucks Avenger Outfit, Jaspers Bin, & parts of Pasqually's Drums (Although never used) (5)
| Stage | Debuted | Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Stage | November 11, 1981 | May 2, 1991 |
| Concept Unification Stage | May 3, 1991 | September 22, 2019 |
History
The Colerain Ave Showbiz Pizza Place opened up November 11, 1981 opening in front of the former Gold Circle Mall as the 2nd Showbiz Pizza Store in Ohio (2nd after Sharonville, OH (1429 E Kemper Rd) ). The store featured 'The Show Room, Sports Room, 60 Arcade games, a merry-go-round, and 'a magic cave'.' Fun Fact Colerain had unique showroom walls which unlike normal stores had an entrance in the middle of the wall. In 1982 apart of support for the Bengals getting into Super Bowl XVI Showbiz Pizza ran a promotion at Colerain & Sharonville, OH (1429 E Kemper Rd) . The event would happen January 24th in which you'd watch the event on a 'Wide Screen TV' and also bring in cans of soup in return 'Four Free Game Tokens and the soup goes to charity'. (6)In 1985 two events were held at the Showbiz one being the Greater Cincinnati Youth for Christ hosted a social on March 31st & June 16th from 8-11pm. The event was titled 'Night Light' which featured Pizza Buffet, Live Music from the Willoughby-Wilson Band.(7) (8)The other event hosted was a 'Teen Dance' even which was a charity event to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association which would take place on July 12th.(9) 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 Colerain & Florence, KY (7635 Mall Rd) would be the only stores to show on these ads.(10) In 1989 The original Showbiz Pizza Place sign would be removed with the Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza sign being installed in its place. Colerain would receive the SPT 1980's Remodel Program around the same time. This would remove the last remains of the Showbiz Pizza Place branding.
(11) Beginning in mid Cincinnati, OH (4394 Eastgate Square Dr) had begin showing up in advertisements in the area following its June 1990 opening. (12) In April 1991 the Rock Afire Explosion would undergo Concept Unification turning the show into Concept Unification Stage . Then in late 1991 the Showbiz Pizza sign would be removed and replaced with a brand new 'Chuck E. Cheese's sign'(11) on July 11th 1991 (11am-7pm) Chuck E. Cheese's would hold an open house for Assistant Restaurant Managers. Where you would visit and Dana Buck (Regional Recruiter) would tell all about the 'excellent starting salary along with a Great Quality of Life!'(14) In late 1992 Sharonville, OH (1429 E Kemper Rd) began to re-appear on advertisements as the store re-opened as a Chuck E. Cheese's after closing in 1984 as a Showbiz Pizza Place. 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) on July 20, 1993 a 'Informational Open House' was held by 'Chuck E. Cheese's/ShowBiz' to tell restaurant managements the facts about their growth in 1993 and their 'livable' schedules. This event would also have 'Paul Scappechi, Regional V.P. and Dan High, District Manager' to visit It is interesting to note they both misspell Colerain as 'Collerain' and Chuck E. Cheese's as 'Chuch E. Cheese'(16) Colerain would receive the SPT 1990's Remodel Program in 1992 at around the same time that Sharonville would open up. In the showroom Colerain featured 'Silver Awards' which were for the most part only installed in brand new 1992 stores. Despite that Colerain had 5 Silver Awards gaining them most likely due to Colerain and Sharonville opening/remodeling at the same time.
In 1996 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 1997 - 1999 they would then receive Phase 2 (1997) this would be when they'd redesign the prize counter & a new game package. Lastly between 2001 - 2002 they would receive Phase 3 (2000) with the Toddler Zone installed near the right side of the restaurant by the Show Room Walls. (17)They'd also receive two new pieces of art. That being Big City (2001 Postcard) which was installed on the left wall of the Salad Bar (18)& Toddler Zone Sandbox (CEC Décor) which was installed next to the new Toddler Zone.(19) In 2006 the store would receive a minor update which would revolve replacing all the booths in the showroom with the new CEC 2000's Remodel Program booths. They would also around the same time install a single Red CEC Tickets (CEC Décor) near the entrance on the left wall.
During Summer 2009 the store would receive the CEC 2000's Remodel Program . During the remodel they'd receive a new game package and expand the store from 10,200 sq ft to 10,406 sq ft.(20)(21) In Winter 2014 the store would receive another Game Package replacing/removing several older games such as Tower of Power & Chuck E. Cheese's Photo Ride (1997). The Photo Ride being replaced with Chuck E. Cheese's Photo Ride (2014) In April 2016, the Skytubes were removed allowing for increase in games. At the same time Colerain would receive a Game Package with several games older games being sent to other stores in the district such as Columbus, OH (4284 Macsway Ave) In December 2016 the store would receive Play Pass. The Toddler Zone fence was removed in late 2017. Leaving a more open environment as no games were put in its place. Colerain would receive another Game Package in August 2018. At the same time the animatronic show would see increased maintenance which it hadn't seen since 2016.
On September 22, 2019, Colerain would close after 38 years due to the owner of the property increasing rent on the lease and CEC Entertainment no longer seeing reason to keep the store open. After closing some pieces of art were sent to Cincinnati, OH (4394 Eastgate Square Dr) . The posters sent over were Grand Marshal of Games' (CEC Décor)|Grand Marshal of Games', Ambassador of Fun' (CEC Décor)|Ambassador of Fun' and two Red CEC Tickets (CEC Décor) , Along with several showroom chairs, the Kid Check stand, & Parts of arcade games such as 'Simpson Soccer' and 'Pop It for Gold'. The Parts computer was sent to Lima, OH (2809 Elida Rd) , Various show parts and the ended up being sent to Springfield, OH (2345 Valley Loop Rd) along with all of the showroom booths being sent to replace the original Black & Green booths from the SPT 1990's Remodel Program . An unused roll of carpet, Train Ride Statue, Tik Tak Chuck Statue, One of the CEC Warhol - Quad (CEC Décor) posters, 'Good Behavior Guideline' sign, & The menus would end up at Sharonville, OH (1429 E Kemper Rd) . The unused roll of carpet, 'Good Behavior Guideline' sign & Menus would be thrown out two weeks after arriving due to Sharonville, OH (1429 E Kemper Rd) receiving 2.0. Games were split between the Dumpster, Storage, and other stores in the area.
Between October - November 2024 Colerain would receive minor “renovations” in the interior. This would involve ripping up the CEC Passion carpet (excluding the stage), and removing the showroom chair, table, and the random water bottle that been sitting there since September 2019 (22) As of 2024 the property is for sale with talks being to re-use the space for a local restaurant / local restaurant chain. With the stage being possibly re-used for future developments.
Videos
| Link | Description | Footage Date |
|---|---|---|
| link | 2004 footage showing working curtains and the holiday decor. | December 2004 |
| link | Clips of Colerain during Late 2005 | Fall 2005, Holiday 2005 |
| link | 3-Stage during the end of April 2007 Segment 2 | Spring 2007 |
| link | Bob The Builder - The Ride | November 23, 2007 |
| link | Barney - The Ride | November 23, 2007 |
| link | Clock - The Ride | November 23, 2007 |
| link | Stuart Little - The Ride | November 23, 2007 |
| link | 3-Stage during 'Tarzan Boy' | Winter 2009 |
| link | 3-Stage during 'Little Bit of 80s' | Winter 2009 |
| link | 3-Stage of some Dialogue and 'Shout' | Winter 2009 |
| link | 3-Stage during the end of January 2009 Segment 1 | Winter 2009 |
| link | 3-Stage during 'Pollution Is Crazy' | Winter 2010 |
| link | 3-Stage with the dialogue before 'Colors' | Winter 2010 |
| link | 3-Stage during 'Splish Splash' | Winter 2010 |
| link | 3-Stage during 'Disco Inferno' | Winter 2010 |
| link | 3-Stage during 'Standy By Me' | Winter 2010 |
| link | More of the 3-Stage during 'Splish Splash' | Winter 2010 |
| link | End of January 2010 Segment 1 | Winter 2010 |
| link | 2010 footage showing off the store 6 months after the remodel. | Spring 2010 |
| link | Final footage of Chuck wearing his Cool Chuck outfit | February 17, 2011 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing some of January 2014 Segment 2 | December 31, 2013 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing September 2014 Act 1 | October 9, 2014 |
| link | Store Tour from Winter 2015 | February 1, 2015 |
| link | Store Tour from Winter 2015 | February 1, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing January 2015 Act 2 | February 1, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'Because We're Friends' | April 1, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'Giant Armadillo Named, Phil' | May 2, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Friendship Never Ends' | July 12, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'Snowman' | December 12, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'Very Merry Christmas' | December 12, 2015 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'Let's Have a Party' | January 18, 2016 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'In The Future' | March 20, 2016 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'A Cowboy's Life For Me' | May 4, 2016 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Dream Big' | July 17, 2016 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Trick or Treat' | October 2016 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Let's Play Some Games for the Holidays' | December 29, 2016 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Remember That Time' | January 15, 2017 |
| link | 3-Stage Condition Update from May 2017 during Show 3 2017 | May 6, 2017 |
| link | Store Tour from Winter 2018 | February 3, 2018 |
| link | 3-Stage performing 'Another Chuck E. Day' | February 3, 2018 |
| link | 3-Stage Update | May 5, 2018 |
| link | Store Tour showing of the New Game Package | October 13, 2018 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Lend a Helping Hand' | August 11, 2018 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Because We're Friends' from Show 5 2018 due to no longer wanting to hear Holiday Music | January 2, 2019 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Tail of Jasper T.' | January 26, 2019 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Laughter is the Best Medicine' | May 4, 2019 |
| link | 3-Stage Performing 'Out of This World' | August 10, 2019 |
| link | Final Band Song ('I Didn't Need To Be Afraid') | September 22, 2019 |
| link | Final show performed before closing. | September 22, 2019 |
| link | Store Tour of the store's final day. | September 22, 2019 |
| link | The store's final day and a Year Later | September 22, 2019, September 19, 2020 |
| link | Footage of the store during and after cleanout. | September 24, 2019, October 3, 2019 |
| link | The store at night after closing (2 Years later) | September 18, 2021 |
| link | A step into the abandoned building, showing what's left of Colerain after closure. | October 13, 2023 |
Animatronics
| Character | Serial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rolfe Dewolfe & Earl Schmerle (Animatronic) | 4-81 1-8 | Dismantled during cleanout |
| Dook Larue (Animatronic) | 4-81 2-8 | Owned by a Private Collector |
| Fatz Geronimo (Animatronic) | 4-81 3-8 | Dismantled during cleanout |
| Beach Bear (Animatronic) | 4-81 4-8 | Owned by a Private Collector |
| Mitzi Mozzarella (Animatronic) | 4-81 5-8 | Owned by a Private Collector |
| Billy Bob (Animatronic) | 4-81 6-8 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Looney Bird (Animatronic) | 4-81 7-8 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Choo Choo (Animatronic) | 4-81 8-8 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Sun (Animatronic) | 4-81 11-8 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Moon (Animatronic) | 4-81 11-8 | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Antioch (Animatronic) | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Uncle Klunk (Animatronic) | N/A | Unknown/Destroyed |
| Wink | N/A | Intact during cleanout, currently unknown |
References
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-cincinnati-coler/32796793/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/103319155/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101720183/
- October 2023 image in the Gallery that shows an employee written message.
- https://youtu.be/bvEqnBZCAj4
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/100430208/?match=1
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101319173
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101750853/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101380480/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/102005274/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101584700/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/102054270
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101584700/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/102101322/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101919542/
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/101952662/
- https://decodedocdigitize.miraheze.org/wiki/Cincinnati,_OH_(8801_Colerain_Ave)#/media/File:CECcolerain019.jpg
- https://decodedocdigitize.miraheze.org/wiki/Cincinnati,_OH_(8801_Colerain_Ave)#/media/File:2009.png
- https://decodedocdigitize.miraheze.org/wiki/Cincinnati,_OH_(8801_Colerain_Ave)#/media/File:CECcolerain018.jpg
- https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/documents/spp/spp_sales_company_8-81_8-82.pdf
- https://www.loopnet.com/property/8801-colerain-ave-cincinnati-oh-45251/39061-5100093002700/
- http://youtube.com/post/UgkxTJJUdwfpBILP4M82CncynLc19ykMmzJU?si=dD5Dwnx27liIHLaw/
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