By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The love of video games can span generations, and on Friday, an arcade and birthday party center opened up in Claremont for people of all ages to enjoy.
A ribbon cutting was held on Friday afternoon for the grand opening of the Arcade and Birthday Party Center at Blackbeard’s Adventure Golf, where owner Nick Koloski said there are 27 games worth about a half-million dollars that are on rotation. While some arcades tend to go old school, these games are brand new.
“There are all new state-of-the art games,” Koloski said. “This is a partnership with a global company that I met them at an international amusement trade show.”
The new business was opened by Koloski, who is a city council member and also the owner of Time-Out Americana Grill, which is attached to the arcade and indoor mini-golf course. The restaurant has been around for 15 years, followed by an Escape Room that opened eight years ago, and then the indoor mini-golf course two years ago. Over the last year he worked with Player One Amusement Group to bring in arcade games, which is now ready for the public to come and play.
Koloski spends time in Maine during the summer and frequents arcades. He is also fourth generation in this area and recalls the days of packing his car with his family and traveling to the world-famous arcade Funspot, just a stone’s throw from Weirs Beach but fairly far from Claremont. Over the years he became friends with Funspot owner Bob Lawton and used to go there as an adult and wander around playing games.
From child to adult, arcade games remained a big deal to Koloski. Over the years he gained a vision of bringing gaming to the Claremont area, as well.
“I monitor area towns and social media, and posts about business,” Koloski said. “All around us people talk about what communities don’t have, and then I look at what we have here. It’s all the things that outlying community complain they don’t have. It’s nice to see that here instead of having to drive 60 something miles away.”
Without advertisement, the response for party bookings and golf traffic has been huge, with people coming in to see the brand-new arcade. The demand has been so high that they have even hired two more workers, which is always good for the local economy, Koloski added.
On the premises there is also a pirate themed 18-hole, indoor, 3-D, blacklight golf course, providing a fun place for some friendly competition, and maybe even shoot a highly coveted hole in one with friends and family watching. There are a variety of traps to work around, and the course is decorated in wacky ways complete with skeletons manning the helm of a ship, sea creatures, and nods to some of the most feared pirates to ever hit the high seas.
Three different packages are available to choose from for two hours of mini-golf, starting with the Swashbuckler Package that provides two slices of cheese pizza for each child, two pitchers of soda, a $10 game card for the guest of honor, and a collectible cup for each child.
The Buccaneer Bash provides a $15 game card for the guest of honor, two slices of cheese pizza per child, two pitchers of fountain soda, a platter of fries for the party, and a collectible cup for the partygoers.
Captain’s Conquest provides a $20 game card for the guest of honor, $10 game card for each child, collectible cup for each child, two pitchers of soda and two slices of cheese for each child at the party.
Three party spaces are available, meaning they can have up to three parties at the same time. The arcade remains open to all guests, whether a birthday package was booked or not. You can bring your own cake, but otherwise no outside food or beverages are permitted as there is food for sale at the attached restaurant, Time-Out Americana Grill.
Mayor Dale Girard was on-hand for the ribbon cutting, and praised the work of Koloski and his mother, Mary, who he said have been a driving force in creating spaces where families can go to make lasting memories together.
“Over the years, Nick’s imagination and passion have led to the growth of these wonderful attractions — whether it’s the challenge of the Escape Factory, the great food at Time Out Americana Grille, or the adventures here at Blackbeard’s Cove Adventure Golf. Today, as we celebrate this latest achievement, I’m sure Mary is looking down on him with immense pride.”
Girard said the community is “incredibly fortunate” to have a spot like this, saying it is a place where people of any age can enjoy themselves. He commended Koloski and business owners like him in the community, saying that they help make Claremont not just a place to live, but a place to thrive.
“As we look to the future, I know this addition will only add to the enjoyment families will find here for years to come,” Girard said. “So, congratulations, Nick, on another fantastic achievement. And thank you for your continued investment in our city. I’m excited to see how this new space will bring even more joy to our community.”
For more information log onto pirateminigolfnh.com.