Quoted from ALJO

Plus, it's huge.

No.. HUGE.

Interesting for a curiosity.

Niagara falls would be a interesting place to open it up.  Lots of tourists but seasonal.

Yes. I like Niagara falls, lots of tourists from all over the world, and there are some good deals right now on locations..better prices than Toronto, but I live in Toronto. How about Montreal?????

On a different note, you can all imagine the significant costs of this thing, I was looking for ways to offset costs, and I figured if I had a little area set aside for storage of machines or consignment sales it may help. Also, we would have full facilities for restoration and all the fancy graphics reproduction kit.
Any other ideas you guys might have that would get this thing closer to reality? I just don't want to blow the wad on opening it up , to have it fizzle out in a few months.

If you setup shop in Toronto, please let me know!

The Toronto Pinball League would love to use it as a location for our regualr league nights if that would be possible.

Quoted from gjd

Yes. I like Niagara falls, lots of tourists from all over the world, and there are some good deals right now on locations..better prices than Toronto, but I live in Toronto. How about Montreal?????

On a different note, you can all imagine the significant costs of this thing, I was looking for ways to offset costs, and I figured if I had a little area set aside for storage of machines or consignment sales it may help. Also, we would have full facilities for restoration and all the fancy graphics reproduction kit.
Any other ideas you guys might have that would get this thing closer to reality? I just don't want to blow the wad on opening it up , to have it fizzle out in a few months.

A pinball museum in Canada? Awesome!
Can I recommend Ottawa? Or rent is orders of magnitude cheaper than Toronto, we have lots of tourists (being the capital and all), lots of bored families, no place to play pinball, many pinball enthusiasts who'd be more than willing to volunteer, and we're located right between two other major markets, Toronto and Montreal.
There's an abandoned grocery store here in Barrhaven that I always though would make a great pinball/arcade museum. There's plenty of other abandoned High Tech buildings as well.

I will let you know for sure. We have about 10 pins right now, but are looking to have at least 20 for when we open. It looks like we are going to have to enlist the aid of others to get going at first, as for 10,000 sq ft you're looking at 10 000$ a month. However , I am sure there are enough enthusiasts and people out there who love arcade games, pins and home systems to keep us going.Doesn't hurt that there is almost nowhere in TO to play anymore, with the exception of Union station. We plan to charge a flat fee from 10-20$ for unlimited play, for all machines, while setting it up like a museum, with exhibits, etc. We have a couple of computer spaces, so there will be some unique pieces. I also have a contact that can arrange for a Varkon for us. Concept is to start out with around 100 vids, 20 pins, and 30 home systems from the 70's to now. Eventually we would like to get up to 300+ machines so as to get into the Guinness book. Like they say, aim high!

Reference Ottawa location. We have thought about Ottawa because of costs. To be honest with everybody ,here is the order of preference for locations in On

1. Niagara
2. Toronto
3. Ottawa
4. Barrie
5. London

By the way, do you think you could pm me the rental info for that grocery store? I am curious to know the actual difference in prices.

I'll see what I can do, I'll have to drive by on my way home and get the phone number for the realtor.

I'm pulling for Toronto as it would be great to have another location.  

There is another place with a similar concept as yours in Toronto:

http://thechurchofthesilverball.com

They have about 40 pinballs setup and rent out the place for parties and the like, I'm sure a similar buisness model could work for you as well, they are aout in Missassauga and rented basically a Wherehouse space and turned it into a really fun place.  I have no idea about the financial aspect of it, but I know the league plays a flat fee per person per league night of $10 and the run tournaments at $20 a head with prizes of $100 for first and $50 for second.  

Niagara Falls from a pure tourist trap location would most likely be your best bet, but I assume re-estate prices in the tourist areas are  insane and competition will be much more firece as there are already two well established arcades.

I wish you best of luck with whatever you decide *cough* Toronto *cough*

I hope it works out, please keep us informed on your progress and if you need any help.  

Now you're getting greedy Adam You admit you guys have a location, we don't have one at all!

I hope this fight doesn't get physical!

I honestly think Niagara is your best bet... you'd get the casino crowd all year round

Quoted from jonny_eh

Now you're getting greedy Adam You admit you guys have a location, we don't have one at all!

I hope this fight doesn't get physical!

I gotta better way to settle this, play some pinball, see if you can beat me   

Quoted from Vengeance

I gotta better way to settle this, play some pinball, see if you can beat me   

Sure, as soon as the pinball museum is opened in Ottawa!