Jacksonville, FL (9820 Atlantic Blvd)
Photo of the 2.0 exterior in April 2023 (PC: Chuck E. Cheese Jacksonville)
Stages
When this location first opened in 1980, it would feature the first Rock-A-Fire Explosion to be viewed publicly. This location would end up replacing their show for the updated, standardized characters in 1981 because the originals apparently had weak or hollow aluminum inside the characters. In 1991 Jacksonville would undergo Concept Unification, and would keep the original prototype instruments used since opening day. Jacksonville would receive Studio C (1997)|Studio C in 1999 and would keep it up to 2022. The Studio C show was continuously updated, as per CEC's request. This included but was not limited to, replacing Chuck E.'s outfit and ridding the stage of its Interactive Console and Bluescreen camera in the 2010s. On November 19th, 2022 the location would have their Studio C removed in favor of the Dance Floor as part of the CEC 2018 2.0 Remodel Program and later used for parts, the Dance Floor would finally be installed later on.| Stage | Installed | Removed |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock-afire Explosion | August 1980 | 1991 |
| 3-Stage | 1991 | 1999 |
| Studio C Alpha | 1999 | November 2022 |
| Dance Floor + Video Wall | November 2022 | Still in Use. |
History
Showbiz Pizza Place
Jacksonville, FL opened its doors on August 14th, 1980 as the second Showbiz Pizza Place location and the first store in Florida. The Rock-afire Explosion animatronic band made their first public appearance in this store. Crowds were drawn to the showroom, as people were amazed by the high-tech, cheap, family-oriented, and fun entertainment--while also being utterly unaware of the success and impact it would leave for years to come. Showbiz's deal with Creative was only the beginning of its legacy. The imagery of this store and its show were commonly used in ads, postcards, and other promotional materials for Showbiz Pizza Place and Creative Engineering.Acquisition and Remodels
On August 31, 1987, SPP acquired Jacksonville which would later be remodeled in 1991 during the unification of Pizza Time Theatre and Showbiz Pizza locations to be under one appearance. Shortly after, in 1995, the restaurant would be one of 126 stores 1994 SPT Repositioning / Remodel Program|repositioned and remodeled, receiving Phase 1 in the process. With the addition of Studio C, the showroom would require modifications to accommodate for the show. In 2005 / 2006 the location would remodel and expand into the neighboring Western Auto shop for extra space for the arcade. In October and November 2022, the location would be remodeled for the final time for CEC 2.0.Videos
| Link | Description | Filming/Published Date |
|---|---|---|
| link | Exterior shot and footage of the 3-Stage and arcade as a ShowBiz Pizza Place. | 1980s |
| link | Exterior shot and small footage of the 3-Stage and arcade in 1991. | 1991 |
| link | People celebrating a pizza party at this location in 2006. | September 26th, 2006 |
| link | A tour of the location in 2022. | March 12th, 2022 |
| link | A look into the backstage area of the former Studio C Alpha. | June 9th, 2022 |
| link | Exterior shot and small footage of the dance floor, backstage, arcade, and bathrooms in 2023. | April 1st, 2023 |
Animatronics
| Animatronic | Serial Number | Whereabouts |
|---|---|---|
| Beta Rolfe DeWolfe | 7-80 1-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Dook Larue | 7-80 2-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Fatz Geronimo | 7-80 3-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Beach Bear | 7-80 4-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Mitzi Mozzarella | 7-80 5-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Billy Bob | 7-80 6-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Looney Bird | 7-80 7-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Choo Choo | 7-80 8-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Sun | 7-80 10-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Moon | 7-80 11-1 | Unknown |
| Beta Antioch | N/A | Unknown |
| Chuck E. Cheese / Rolfe DeWolfe | 4-81 1-20 | Destroyed |
| Pasqually / Dook Larue | 4-81 2-20 | Destroyed |
| Mr. Munch / Fatz Geronimo | 4-81 3-20 | Destroyed |
| Jasper T. Jowls / Beach Bear | 4-81 4-20 | Destroyed |
| Helen Henny / Mitzi Mozzarella | 4-81 5-20 | Destroyed |
| Billy Bob | 4-81 6-20 | Unknown |
| Pizzacam / Looney Bird | 4-81 7-20 | Destroyed |
| Munch Jr. / Choo Choo | 4-81 8-20 | Destroyed |
| Building / Sun | 4-81 10-20 | Destroyed |
| Moon | 4-81 11-20 | Destroyed |
| Antioch | N/A | Destroyed |
| Wink | N/A | Destroyed |
| Chuck E. Cheese 32m (Animatronic) | 048 | Destroyed |
| Bird (Animatronic) | N/A | Destroyed |
| Pizza Time Clock | N/A | Destroyed |
| Pizza Phone | N/A | Destroyed |
Exterior back when it was ShowBiz Pizza Place (1980). PC: showbizpizza.com
Photo of the 2.0 exterior in April 2023 (PC: Chuck E. Cheese Jacksonville)
Exterior with the 1988 Remodel (1991).
Exterior back when it was ShowBiz Pizza Place (1980s).
Street View of the exterior before 2.0 in November 2022 (February 2022) (PC: Google Maps)