Montgomery's exterior, March 2013. (PC: WSFA News)
was a
Showbiz Pizza Place/
Chuck E. Cheese which opened on September 30, 1982 with a Rock-afire Explosion, and closed in August 2013 with the 3-Stage.
History
Montgomery opened its doors on September 30th, 1982 as the fourth Showbiz Pizza store in Alabama with the Rock-Afire Explosion show like every other Showbiz Pizza. It was originally a corporate-owned location. In 1988-1989, Montgomery received the 1988 remodel removing the older SPP decor, adding newer decor, received a new exterior change, and updated the Billy Bob stage. In 1991, Montgomery received a major remodel, adding checkers around the wall, added Blue and White Awnings, and added more decor and removed some older decor, and received Concept Unification removing the Rock-Afire Explosion for the 3-Stage. Montgomery received a minor remodel in the Mid/Late-90's removing older CU decor for the Record Posters, and removing the ball pits in favor of the SkyTubes and Toddler Zone. They would later remove the Showroom Walls and Balcony Seating. Montgomery would remain like this until August 2013 when they would relocate to the Montgomery, AL (1116 Eastdale Mall)|1116 Eastdale Mall location which is about 16 minutes away from here and opened with a Circles of Light stage. After its closure, the location became abandoned until in 2016 or 2017 when it would become a Bombay Lounge. That didn't last long as it closed around 2021.
Currently, as of March 2023, the location is now abandoned again. It is unknown if the building is going to be demolished.
Stages
Originally, Montgomery featured a Rock-afire Explosion, as all other Showbiz locations did. In 1991, they would undergo Concept Unification, turning the Rock-afire Explosion into the 3-Stage.
Montgomery would have the 3-Stage until August 2013 when the stage would be removed due to the store relocating.
| Stage |
Installed |
Removed |
Notes |
| Rock-afire Explosion |
September 1982 |
1991 |
4th Showbiz Pizza store to open in Alabama. |
| 3-Stage |
1991 |
August 2013 |
One of 7 Showbiz Pizza stores in Alabama to undergo Concept Unification. |
Animatronics
(W.I.P)
Videos
| Link |
Description |
Filming Date |
| Link |
Footage of the gameroom and 3-Stage. Includes Chuck E. Shuffle 1994 performance |
February 8th, 1997 |
| Link |
Birthday Star 1992 |
August 15th, 1998 |
| Link |
Small clip of the 3-Stage |
August 15th, 1998 |
| Link |
Store Tour |
January-April 2011 |
| Link |
Clip of Segment 2 of the January 2011 Show being performed on the store's stage. |
January-April 2011 |
Trivia
- Montgomery was one of seven ShowBiz locations in Alabama to be converted into Chuck E. Cheese. The other six are Mobile, Huntsville, Birmingham, Birmingham (Roebuck), Dothan, & Sheffield. The other three ShowBiz locations Tuscaloosa, AL (1335 McFarland Blvd)|Tuscaloosa, Cullman, & Midfield closed in December 1985 (Tuscaloosa), & April 1986 (Cullman & Midfield) respectively as they were the only three not to make it to Concept Unification. Midfield's show however ended up undergoing Concept Unification when it was installed at the Tallahassee location..
