Episode 27 - Operator Spotlight: Pinball Over Boston

Boston operator Mitch shares 10-year journey building quality pinball route against low-quality competition.

Synopsis

Mitch of Pinball Over Boston discusses his 10-year journey as a pinball operator in the Boston area, starting from passion for the game and frustration with a low-quality operator, to building a route of 70-80 machines across three locations (Flat Top Johnny Pinball's, Roxy's Arcade, and Double Bowl Tap House). He covers operator philosophy, pricing strategy, game selection, the challenges of competing with broken cheaper machines, and the COVID impact on his business.

Highlights

• Mitch has been operating pinball machines for roughly 10 years, approaching his May 2014 anniversary
• The dominant Boston-area operator used 8-year auto-renewing contracts with penalty fees to keep broken games in venues
• Mitch started with four games: High Speed 2, 8-Ball Deluxe, Lord of the Rings, and Austin Powers
• Flat Top Johnny Pinball's grew from 2 machines to 12 pinball machines by the time it closed during COVID
• Mitch now operates 70-80 pieces of amusement equipment total across three locations
• Mitch worked at Gentle Giant Moving Company before becoming a full-time operator
• Mitch was initially nervous about renting games during COVID due to contract liability concerns
• Mitch charged $1 per play for newer Stern machines for most of his operating history
• Roxy's Arcade has 10 pinball machines and approximately 30 arcade games in a tight speakeasy-style venue
• Mitch raised prices on premium games (Elton John at $2, Elvira at $2) when Flat Top Johnny Pinball's reopened and felt it caused negative word-of-mouth

Entities

• Gentle Giant Moving Company· company
• Pinball Over Boston· company
• Stern· company
• Wedgehead Pinball Podcast· content
• 8-Ball Deluxe· game
• Austin Powers· game
• Black Knight Premium· game
• Dolly Parton· game
• Elton John· game
• Elvira House of Horrors· game
• Evel Knievel· game
• High Speed 2· game
• Jaws Premium· game
• Lord of the Rings· game
• Medieval Madness· game
• Alan· person
• Alex the Waterboy· person
• Mitch· person
• Rodsey· person
• Double Bowl Tap House· venue
• Flat Top Johnny Pinball's· venue
• Rain City Free Play· venue
• Roxy's Arcade Grilled Cheese· venue
• Sunshine Laundromat· venue