205 replies to this topic

[retrorussell]

happyfunball, on Tue Oct 4, 2011 3:13 PM, said:

for those that grew up on the west side of portland, do you recall the name of an arcade in Beaverton in the strip mall on the corner of Murray and Allen Blvd? It closed in 83 or 84. Used to go there a lot after school at Highland Park.

My mom used to work in Beaverton Mall and I ended up spending a lot of time in Electric Castle. sad to see that spot chopped out to an exit and a small food court there now.
I remember there was a tiny computer store next to it that sold the Coleco ADAM, and a place on the other side that did market research.
the roller rink had a lot of arcade games too, at the end by what was G.I. Joes. I remember playing a lot of Missile Command there. That got turned into a Ross dress for less for decades and I think now its a grocery store of some kind, I think.
I haven't been back there since last winter.

there were so many arcades open back then. we used to try to go to every one we heard about to see if they had anything new.

Hey HFB.
Don't recall going to the one on Murray and Allen (I now live about a half mile from there) but I sure remember going to Electric Palace (Electric Castle is Wunderland). My sister worked the sticker kiosk in the mall. It's now called "Cedar Crossing" and the fountains are gone. And I have fond memories of the roller rink (and zapping myself on the machines after getting static electricity from rolling around on the floor) too. Also, there was a small arcade in Valley Plaza on Beaverton Hillsdale Highway, if you remember that.

[happyfunball]

whoops! yea, as I was typing that I was thinking "better not get them mixed up" and of course I did. doh!
yea, I was back in town last february and checked it out. I used to work in the mall too back in 87-88 at Tower Video. that of course is long gone and most of the mall unrecognizable.
I don't recall an arcade in Valley Plaza but if it was small I probably only went there once. I swung through there too when i was in town as well. I wanted to see if the Valley Theater was still running, and suprise! It was, as a 2nd run brew pub. i didn't have time to see a movie there but I plan to next time I'm in town. its the only theater left that hasn't been torn down from when I was a kid.

I remember vaguely there was an arcade sort of out in Aloha or Hillsboro that someone had made in an old converted house but it was at last partially run by this quite attractive woman. This must have been around 1980 because I recall she was keeping my dad entertained while we played the games and I was jokingly suggesting her marry her so we can score the arcade. He got remarried in 81. He took me to Chuck E Cheese before telling me, too, haha.

[retrorussell]

Damn, I've got to find more information on defunct Portland Metro area landmarks. The Canyon Drive-In, Family Drive-In, various arcades, Hydrotubes, Washington Square stores, Beaverton Mall stores (and the airport, which was way before my time), places like Mr. Steak, Wuv's Burgers, etc. Pictures too would be nice.

[happyfunball]

retrorussell, on Wed Oct 5, 2011 3:59 PM, said:

Damn, I've got to find more information on defunct Portland Metro area landmarks. The Canyon Drive-In, Family Drive-In, various arcades, Hydrotubes, Washington Square stores, Beaverton Mall stores (and the airport, which was way before my time), places like Mr. Steak, Wuv's Burgers, etc. Pictures too would be nice.

I wish I had more pictures. I went and saw quite a few movies at the Canyon Drive-In, don't recall which one the family drive-in was. back then that stretch of canyon was pretty empty. I remember when washington square was brand new, but barely.
The name of that arcade really bugs me though. considering the amount of time I spent in there you'd think I'd remember. Maybe I need to search on the ground when I'm there this winter

[retrorussell]

Hey, PM me when you get into town.
Also, there is now a classic arcade downtown called Ground Kontrol, if you haven't heard of it. Kind of cool place.
I actually like the new Beaverton Mall (again, now known as Cedar Hills Crossing). Good restaurants and I love the Game Trader store there.
I remember just before the old Pay Less they used to have a mini arcade.
BTW, the Family drive in is now the Tigard Cinemas.
Fun to chat with you on old Portland-area memories.

Edited by retrorussell, Wed Oct 5, 2011 6:28 PM.

[happyfunball]

retrorussell, on Wed Oct 5, 2011 6:27 PM, said:

Hey, PM me when you get into town.
Also, there is now a classic arcade downtown called Ground Kontrol, if you haven't heard of it. Kind of cool place.
I actually like the new Beaverton Mall (again, now known as Cedar Hills Crossing). Good restaurants and I love the Game Trader store there.
I remember just before the old Pay Less they used to have a mini arcade.
BTW, the Family drive in is now the Tigard Cinemas.
Fun to chat with you on old Portland-area memories.

yep, I've been to ground kontrol several times. I didn't realize the tigard cinemas was an old drive in, or I forgot.
and I don't mind the cedar hills crossing now, it was getting a little dumpy before they started the radical remodel. I miss the old mall for nostalgic reasons, having worked there, and my mom worked in the mall until The Emporium closed. she started in the mall in 1978. I spent a lot of time in there. I remember when there was a head shop near the entrance to the emporium.
I'll be in town in january or february. I'm avoiding the crazy season a bit.. less expensive, less crazy.