You might be perplexed at how these 2 highly educated people( Mr. Bansal PHD as well as lead Engineer at GE, Mrs. Bansal has earned a Master Degree in Computer Aided Textile Design) chose the business of owning an operating an arcade called “ Game Zone” and mini roller skating rink appropriately named Skate Zone, all located side by side in the Olathe Mall.
“The love of children and creating magical moments for birthdays, celebrations and out of necessity when are younger children were intimated at the much larger skating rinks and Mega Family Entertainment Centers” exclaims Gunjan who single handily created a personalized niche where older children could enjoy the latest arcade video games, air hockey’s, Skee balls and at same time creating a younger child’s dream, as well as the USA’s only Mini Roller skating rink, where children 8 and under could learn another rapidly fading American past time, roller skating.
The pint size 3,500 square foot rink drew thousands of children from several states where they learned to skate for the first time, and would return again and again for birthdays until they became too old at age of 1o, and graduate to the arcade side of the business where the sounds of more than 125 electronic coin operated machines could be played for a mere quarter.
However, as technology rapidly changed consumers style of shopping from the once browse and walk thru the mall to just ordering online, and eerily similar to today’s teenagers who play video games at home on computers instead of patronizing arcade establishments like Game Zone, both industries are fading into Americas past, much like the Drive Inn theaters.
The Great Mall, a $110 million project when it opened in 1997 will join other older malls looking at redevelopment.
The mall owners said nearly all of the tenants will close in the next nine months as their leases expire or are terminated.
In a Ironic twist of fate, California based Super Auctions .com will be conducting the Live Auction of all Game Zones arcade machines and assets, this Saturday at 10 am with a majority of the live bidding taking place Live Online. Super Auctions Vice President, Melissa Storment explains, “Each industry must adapt to technology to survive, and the auction industry is no different. It is not uncommon for our auctions to have about 10 times the amount of online bidders bidding against the bidders who still like to experience the excitement and frenzy of the live event”
However, Mrs. Storment also explained how Super Auctions just a few years ago only conducted only Live auctions, but has invested heavily into a new format of Online Only Auctions, with no live auction bidding, the company is appropriately called OnlineInternetAuctions.com and by 2017 will be the only type of auctions the company will be conducting. Technology is rapidly changing the American dream, for better or worse, still hasn’t been decided.
Details: Live Auction Saturday April 25th 10 am Live Bidding on site at the Game Zone
Located in Olathe Mall 20700 West 151st St. Olathe Kansas
Public Welcomed- Free Admission
Info: SuperAuctions.com
844-Fun-2Bid
Or if you prefer, bid from home at
OnlineInternetAuctions.com
Contact: 24/7
Rob Storment
(714) 329-1373
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