CAMBRIDGE- For ten years, Dylan Swanson has been collecting classic video arcade games. His passion for the coin-operated machines started at a young age when his family would camp at The Timber outside Cambridge.
It was there in the campground arcade that Dylan was introduced to classics like Rambo, Pacman and Dig Dug. At 14, when he was old enough to get the funds, he began searching social media and Craig’s List with the intent to purchase one.
“The first one I ever bought was Rally-X,” said Swanson. “I bought it at a bowling alley in Davenport.”
In those 10 years, Swanson was able to collect over 250 games, but has sold off over half of his collections.
“I currently own 115,” he said.
Almost every game Swanson owns is from the 80s and 90s, but he has his eye on Guitar Hero.
With so many classic arcade games, and the resurgence in the popularity of arcades, Swanson teamed up with Chris Thompson. Thompson has been in construction for 34 years and has owned a building in Cambridge since 2008. The two men decided that it would be an ideal spot for an arcade.
“One of the tenants was moving out,” said Thompson. “And there wasn’t really anything for kids to do in town.”
Thompson’s wife, Tobi, said the business partnership just made sense.
“He had the games and we had the space,” she said.
With some help from friends, Thompson renovated the expansive store front, located at 117 S. East St. in Cambridge. The building has three floors, and the two lower floors are being used for the arcade. The top floor has four apartments.
With a majority of the renovations complete, the business partners opened The Hangout Arcade on Oct. 29. The community, Swanson said, has responded.
“We’ve had the best reception opening up. We’ve had customers of all ages,” Swanson said.
The two men really didn’t have a target customer in mind when they opened, but they hoped that their arcade would draw in folks of all ages, and so far it’s worked.
“It’s really great to have families come in and have a good time,” Swanson said.
The space is available for parties, events and birthday parties and there is no fee for party rental. The remodeled second floor has tables for seating and makes it a great location for birthday parties, he said.
Recently, the co-owners have thrown around the idea of holding a New Year’s Eve party at the arcade and are still working out the details. The idea would be to offer a one-time fee that would include free tokens for the games, drinks and food, but Thompson said they are still “kicking ideas around,” because they wouldn’t want to exclude kids who might not be able to afford the fee.
“We’re still deciding but we’ll have something for New Year’s Eve,” said Tobi.
Already an event is planned for Friday, Dec. 15 from 8 to 11 pm. The business will host its first BYOB night for customers 21 and over. Attendees will be allowed to bring their own alcohol, cans only, and IDs will be required, Thompson said.
The arcade has over 50 games with the cost of just 25 cents a token. Games require one or two tokens to play. Classic games such as Pacman, Donkey Kong and Galaga are located on the second floor, with basketball games, Skee-Ball, racing games, air hockey and pinball machines on the main floor.
Swanson said he believes that arcades aren’t going anywhere and people of all ages enjoy trying their luck on the machines.
“Video games are kind of timeless,” Swanson said.
More information about The Hangout Arcade can be found on their website, https://www.thehangoutarcade.com/.
Questions about parties or rental can be directed to Swanson at (309) 945-7949 or Thompson at (309) 945-3103.
The Hangout Arcade is open every day from 9 am to 9 pm.
