Chuck E. Cheese: Difference between revisions

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Add the 1990 and 1999 licence lists from the newspaper research recorded in the database; earlier text kept
Add the 1980s research: ShowBiz Pizza Place opened July 1982; reviews and dining guides
 
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==History==
==History==
* May 1990: the city's licence renewals carry Showbiz of Madison Inc., agent Gustavus M. Martinsons, doing business as Showbiz Pizza Place at 438 Grand Canyon Dr.<ref name="wsj-1990-05-15-p22">(1990, May 15). City of Madison 1990–91 Class B liquor licence renewals (reprinted May 18 p24 and May 19 p6): Pizza Pit, 78 East Towne Mall (Kerry P. Cook, agent Terry K. Voice); Edwardo's Natural Pizza Restaurant 333 N. Bassett St. (Erl …. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 22. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405195087/ 405195087], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405339396/ 405339396], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405340124/ 405340124].</ref>
* July 1982: ShowBiz Pizza Place, a Brock Hotel Corp. franchise, opens at 438 Grand Canyon Dr., a block east of West Towne Mall, with Billy Bob and the Rock-Afire Explosion animatronic band, video games and skee ball. Genie Campbell of the State Journal: "the pizza is not enough to keep people coming back, but the entertainment is"<ref name="wsj-1982-10-24-p90">Campbell, G. (1982, October 24). "Entertainment sells ShowBiz Pizza." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 90. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402578524/ 402578524].</ref>.
* May 1999: the same address is licensed to CEC Entertainment Inc., agent Anthony White, as Chuck E. Cheese's<ref name="ct-1999-05-26-p7">(1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol licence renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. ''The Capital Times''. p. 7. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522006391/ 522006391], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522007482/ 522007482].</ref>.
* August 1985: "Pizza Plus" — a large deluxe cheese pizza, a pitcher of soft drink and double game and ride tokens for $9.95; "World's greatest robotic entertainment"<ref name="wsj-1985-08-16-p34">(1985, August 16). ShowBiz Pizza Place 'Pizza Plus' ad: large deluxe cheese pizza, pitcher of soft drink and double game and ride tokens $9.95 during August; 'World's greatest robotic entertainment'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 34. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401364529/ 401364529].</ref>. The fall dining guide: "Family entertainment center serving mostly pizza and fun"<ref name="wsj-1985-10-06-p141">(1985, October 6). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1985." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 141. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401397522/ 401397522].</ref>.
* May 1986: licensed to Showbiz of Madison, Inc., with Gustavs M. Martinsons as agent<ref name="wsj-1986-05-01-p30">(1986, May 1). "Legal notice: applications for the sale of beer and/or liquor (City of Madison, 1986–87)." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 30. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402295753/ 402295753], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402295768/ 402295768].</ref>.
* May 1989: Muriel LaRose reviews it for the Capital Times — a thick, chewy crust and "a great place for birthday parties"<ref name="ct-1989-05-06-p10">Prager, K. and LaRose, M. (1989, May 6). Dining Out (Prager) on Paisan's: owners Roy McCormick and wife Rose Troia made 'Madison's first thin crust pizza' c. 1951 from Troia-homestead recipes; three moves and a shift to a team of four owners including McCormick's s…. ''The Capital Times''. p. 10. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522566896/ 522566896].</ref>.
* December 1989: Margaret Collins reviews it ("Adults mustn't forget, Showbiz Pizza is for the kids"). The manager, Gary Fay, estimates it serves about half a million people a year and about 5,000 a day between Christmas and New Year's. She found the pizza "far from the best pizza in town" and the salad bar "the best find at Showbiz"<ref name="ct-1989-12-23-p30">Collins, M. (1989, December 23). "Adults mustn't forget, Showbiz Pizza is for the kids." ''The Capital Times''. p. 30. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520002101/ 520002101].</ref>.
* May 1990: the city's license renewals carry Showbiz of Madison Inc., agent Gustavus M. Martinsons, doing business as Showbiz Pizza Place at 438 Grand Canyon Dr.<ref name="wsj-1990-05-15-p22">(1990, May 15). City of Madison 1990–91 Class B liquor license renewals (reprinted May 18 p24 and May 19 p6): Pizza Pit, 78 East Towne Mall (Kerry P. Cook, agent Terry K. Voice); Edwardo's Natural Pizza Restaurant 333 N. Bassett St. (Erl …. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 22. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405195087/ 405195087], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405339396/ 405339396], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405340124/ 405340124].</ref>
* May 1995: Showbiz of Madison Inc., now with Gary Fay as agent, holds the license as Chuck E. Cheese's<ref name="ct-1995-05-25-p20">(1995, May 25). City of Madison license list, May 1995. ''The Capital Times''. p. 20. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/521522538/ 521522538]. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.</ref>; that September it advertised for managers with "Pizza, not pressure"<ref name="wsj-1995-09-17-p89">(1995, September 17). Pizza Pit: 'PIZZA COOKS — Production of Madison's most award winning pizza. Complete paid training… ORDER TAKERS… Apply at the nearest PIZZA PIT location in Madison and surrounding Dane County'; Pizza Extreme managers $22–…. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 89. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404426310/ 404426310].</ref>.
* May 1996: the license passes to Showbiz Pizza Time Inc., agent Sharon Fitch, still as Chuck E. Cheese's<ref name="ct-1996-05-27-p5">(1996, May 27). City of Madison license list, May 1996. ''The Capital Times''. p. 5. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522631770/ 522631770]. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.</ref>.
* July 16, 1996: staff locking up for the night find a 2-year-old left behind by a party of 15; the manager waits an hour before calling police, and the boy is back with his mother the next morning. The Capital Times put the story on page 1 and called the restaurant one "known for catering to children"<ref name="ct-1996-07-17-p1">(1996, July 17). "Toddler left behind at Chuck E. Cheese." ''The Capital Times''. p. 1. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522238392/ 522238392].</ref>.
* May 1999: the same address is licensed to CEC Entertainment Inc., agent Anthony White, as Chuck E. Cheese's<ref name="ct-1999-05-26-p7">(1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. ''The Capital Times''. p. 7. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522006391/ 522006391], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522007482/ 522007482].</ref>. Showbiz was still on the license list in May 1991<ref name="wsj-1991-05-20-p6">(1991, May 20). City of Madison 1991–92 Class B liquor license renewals (reprinted May 21 p7 and May 22 p27): Pizza Hut at 3059 E. Washington Ave., 2649 East Springs Dr., 4709 Verona Rd., 7440 Mineral Point Rd. and 662 State St.; Pizzeria …. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 6. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404281521/ 404281521], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404281684/ 404281684], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404282071/ 404282071].</ref>.


==Locations==
==Locations==
* 438 Grand Canyon Dr. (Showbiz Pizza Place in 1990<ref name="wsj-1990-05-15-p22" />; Chuck E. Cheese's by 1999<ref name="ct-1999-05-26-p7" />).
* 438 Grand Canyon Dr. (ShowBiz Pizza Place from July 1982<ref name="wsj-1982-10-24-p90" /> and in 1990<ref name="wsj-1990-05-15-p22" />; Chuck E. Cheese's by 1995<ref name="ct-1995-05-25-p20" />).


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 02:25, 25 October 2026

Also known as Showbiz Pizza, this restaurant was probably more known for their animatronic band and being a birthday party venue for kids.

History

  • July 1982: ShowBiz Pizza Place, a Brock Hotel Corp. franchise, opens at 438 Grand Canyon Dr., a block east of West Towne Mall, with Billy Bob and the Rock-Afire Explosion animatronic band, video games and skee ball. Genie Campbell of the State Journal: "the pizza is not enough to keep people coming back, but the entertainment is"[1].
  • August 1985: "Pizza Plus" — a large deluxe cheese pizza, a pitcher of soft drink and double game and ride tokens for $9.95; "World's greatest robotic entertainment"[2]. The fall dining guide: "Family entertainment center serving mostly pizza and fun"[3].
  • May 1986: licensed to Showbiz of Madison, Inc., with Gustavs M. Martinsons as agent[4].
  • May 1989: Muriel LaRose reviews it for the Capital Times — a thick, chewy crust and "a great place for birthday parties"[5].
  • December 1989: Margaret Collins reviews it ("Adults mustn't forget, Showbiz Pizza is for the kids"). The manager, Gary Fay, estimates it serves about half a million people a year and about 5,000 a day between Christmas and New Year's. She found the pizza "far from the best pizza in town" and the salad bar "the best find at Showbiz"[6].
  • May 1990: the city's license renewals carry Showbiz of Madison Inc., agent Gustavus M. Martinsons, doing business as Showbiz Pizza Place at 438 Grand Canyon Dr.[7]
  • May 1995: Showbiz of Madison Inc., now with Gary Fay as agent, holds the license as Chuck E. Cheese's[8]; that September it advertised for managers with "Pizza, not pressure"[9].
  • May 1996: the license passes to Showbiz Pizza Time Inc., agent Sharon Fitch, still as Chuck E. Cheese's[10].
  • July 16, 1996: staff locking up for the night find a 2-year-old left behind by a party of 15; the manager waits an hour before calling police, and the boy is back with his mother the next morning. The Capital Times put the story on page 1 and called the restaurant one "known for catering to children"[11].
  • May 1999: the same address is licensed to CEC Entertainment Inc., agent Anthony White, as Chuck E. Cheese's[12]. Showbiz was still on the license list in May 1991[13].

Locations

  • 438 Grand Canyon Dr. (ShowBiz Pizza Place from July 1982[1] and in 1990[7]; Chuck E. Cheese's by 1995[8]).

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Campbell, G. (1982, October 24). "Entertainment sells ShowBiz Pizza." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 90. Newspapers.com image 402578524.
  2. ↑ (1985, August 16). ShowBiz Pizza Place 'Pizza Plus' ad: large deluxe cheese pizza, pitcher of soft drink and double game and ride tokens $9.95 during August; 'World's greatest robotic entertainment'. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 34. Newspapers.com image 401364529.
  3. ↑ (1985, October 6). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1985." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 141. Newspapers.com image 401397522.
  4. ↑ (1986, May 1). "Legal notice: applications for the sale of beer and/or liquor (City of Madison, 1986–87)." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 30. Newspapers.com images 402295753, 402295768.
  5. ↑ Prager, K. and LaRose, M. (1989, May 6). Dining Out (Prager) on Paisan's: owners Roy McCormick and wife Rose Troia made 'Madison's first thin crust pizza' c. 1951 from Troia-homestead recipes; three moves and a shift to a team of four owners including McCormick's s…. The Capital Times. p. 10. Newspapers.com image 522566896.
  6. ↑ Collins, M. (1989, December 23). "Adults mustn't forget, Showbiz Pizza is for the kids." The Capital Times. p. 30. Newspapers.com image 520002101.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 (1990, May 15). City of Madison 1990–91 Class B liquor license renewals (reprinted May 18 p24 and May 19 p6): Pizza Pit, 78 East Towne Mall (Kerry P. Cook, agent Terry K. Voice); Edwardo's Natural Pizza Restaurant 333 N. Bassett St. (Erl …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Newspapers.com images 405195087, 405339396, 405340124.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 (1995, May 25). City of Madison license list, May 1995. The Capital Times. p. 20. Newspapers.com image 521522538. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  9. ↑ (1995, September 17). Pizza Pit: 'PIZZA COOKS — Production of Madison's most award winning pizza. Complete paid training… ORDER TAKERS… Apply at the nearest PIZZA PIT location in Madison and surrounding Dane County'; Pizza Extreme managers $22–…. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 89. Newspapers.com image 404426310.
  10. ↑ (1996, May 27). City of Madison license list, May 1996. The Capital Times. p. 5. Newspapers.com image 522631770. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  11. ↑ (1996, July 17). "Toddler left behind at Chuck E. Cheese." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 522238392.
  12. ↑ (1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. The Capital Times. p. 7. Newspapers.com images 522006391, 522007482.
  13. ↑ (1991, May 20). City of Madison 1991–92 Class B liquor license renewals (reprinted May 21 p7 and May 22 p27): Pizza Hut at 3059 E. Washington Ave., 2649 East Springs Dr., 4709 Verona Rd., 7440 Mineral Point Rd. and 662 State St.; Pizzeria …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 404281521, 404281684, 404282071.
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