ROY, Utah -- Anyone who grew up in the 1980s remembers Asteroids and Space Invaders. There seemed to be a few big, upright video games in every corner store. And for those who craved more variety, there were arcades where a kid could really go through quarters.
Now, there's a place in Roy where walking through the door is like traveling back in time.
Nearly all of the big, boxy, video games at Flynn's Retrocade, which opened days ago, are from the mid-eighties.
It's a dream come true for owner James Anderson, whose childhood included many memorable trips with his brothers to the long-gone Alladin's Castle video arcade in the Layton Hills Mall.
Several years ago, James became aware of bars in other states that were bringing back vintage video games, commonly called "bar-cades." He liked the concept, and started buying and restoring video games in his basement.
When James had amassed a large enough collection of video games to open a business, he opted for an all-ages operation, serving regular and flavored sodas, rather than a bar.
Rather than a quarter per game, customers pay $5 for an hour or $10 for a day pass with unlimited play. Sodas are sold separately, but you can win a free one by getting a high score.
Business is off to a good start. The Saturday night Fox 13 dropped in, there were dozens of people of all ages playing video games.
Still, Anderson says with the price of buying and maintaining the games, and the space which houses them, Flynn's Retrocade may not be much of money-maker. But that's OK by him, so long as it serves as a memory maker.
"I want people to have a good time," Anderson said.
Flynn's Retrocade is located in Roy at 3626 West 5600 South.
It can also be found on Facebook.
