Not an Arcade becomes popular gaming spot in Hesperia
Not an Arcade in Hesperia has become a popular entertainment destination for game enthusiasts of all ages since opening in February.
The independently-run business on Bear Valley Road, just east of In-N-Out Burger, focuses on retro ware and Japanese gaming, or Japanese versions of certain games, such as House of the Dead 4, InitialD, Point Blank X, and Taiko No Tatsujin or "Master of the drums."
Store co-owner and manager J’son Albano says that he and his business partner, Sam Choe, wanted to create "a safe and family-friendly place for people to hang out and have fun."
“People want to get out, hang out, and engage in a bit of fun and friendly competition,” Albano, 25, said. “We have a little something for everybody.”
Ethan LaComb, 20, the store’s music and game technician, said the business could also be called “Not Only an Arcade,” since it offers arcade and non-arcade games.
“We also have a bunch of old school and newer game consoles so you can play a variety of games,” Albano said. “You can play games like Guitar Hero, Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat and Star Wars Battlefront.”
Other game offerings include a pool table, Foosball, claw machine, punching bag, air hockey and basketball hoops. The store also has numerous card and board games.
“Our pool table, karaoke booth and punching bag are probably our top three most popular games,” Albano said. “A lot of people on dates come here and the girls seem to really like the karaoke booth.”
On Monday, 21-year-old Kyle Stanton and his friend, Bryan, donned boxing gloves and challenged each other at the Ultimate Big Punch.
“We come here about once a week,” said Stanton, who lives in Apple Valley. “We hang out here for a couple of hours and have fun. We like the punching bag, pool table and the zombie apocalypse game.”
The store offers daily tournaments, with each winner receiving a gift certificate to a local business.
“All of our gift certificates are from local, small businesses,” Albano said. “We really believe in supporting our local neighborhood businesses.”
Gamers pay-to-play by the hour, with the first hour at $18 and an all-day pass at $50.
Albano said game players range from elementary school-age children to older adults.
“I met three dads who said they were too old to play games,” Albano said. “Once we introduced them to the games and let them play, they got hooked and really began having fun. One of the dads said he felt like a kid again.”
The arcade also carries a variety of Japanese and other Asian-themed snacks and drinks.
“Over the years, especially since COVID-19, Japanese culture has been a growing interest in the U.S.,” LaComb said. “People have become more interested in those types of games, snacks and sweets.”
A sampling of food and drink offerings at the store includes Hello Panda, biscuit-like treats with a milk-flavored filling. Also, Orion O!karto potato chips, Bento squid snacks and Ramune Japanese sodas.
Visitors who enter the store are greeted by an employee, who uses a handheld metal detector scanner to ensure they are not carrying a weapon.
“We are a no weapon, no alcohol and no drugs zone,” Albano said. “We’re here to ensure the safety of everyone.”
Albano credits some of the growth of his store to a couple of Tik Tok videos “that went viral.” One video by @kcarolina.h has over 126,000 views and another by @rodeo.bird has over 481,000.
“It’s amazing to see how fast we’re growing,” Albano said. “We’re hoping that more people find out about us and come in and give us a try.”
Not an Arcade is open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Not an Arcade is located at 17153 Bear Valley Road Suite 1 in Hesperia. For more information, call 760-917-7773 or search @NotanArcade_Hesperia on Instagram.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Not an Arcade in Hesperia becoming popular gaming spot
