When I last wrote about the Twin Cities' only vintage arcade -- Rusty Quarters -- owners Sage and Annie Spirtos were confident they could make their business work, one quarter at a time.
"We're doing pretty good," Sage said in January, one month after opening. "Not enough to be millionaires but enough to keep the lights on."
Well, six months later, the novelty seems to have worn off for some customers, and Rusty Quarters is struggling. The small storefront in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood is a nostalgic trip, stocked with 20- and 30-year-old games like "Donkey Kong," "Galaga" and "Rampage." Recently Sage took to the arcade's lively Facebook page to query fans for feedback. He also warned them that this slow period might result in the shop's demise.
Regulars offered suggestions, such as raising the game cost to 50 cents (the Spirtoses want to stick with one quarter). [Update: It sounds like the arcade will move to 50-cent games on June 12.] Some people suggested a PayPal account for donations (which the owners promptly set up on the arcade's website). Others said the owners needed to work on a few things, such as erratic opening times (because of Annie's broken leg, the couple have been late to open the shop on several occasions).
"A lot of people are upset when we open late -- and they have a right to be," Annie told me last week.
The Spirtoses are working on a more elaborate window sign to attract customers. They recently took down the last store's signage. Per a zoning law, the arcade has been unable to open earlier than 3 p.m. on weekdays. They hope to expand hours this summer once school ends.
There's no doubt it's an uphill battle for the little arcade that could. Rusty Quarters' Facebook wall is chock full of impassioned messages, with customers promising to make more visits. That's about all the owners can ask for.
Donkey Kong, here I come.
