Chinatown Fair may be relocating or staying put, according to a report on Kotaku.com, a copy and paste from the write up — with a fair bit of drama included — reads:
"That was a rumor started by a moron," Chinatown Fair manager Valentino Ventura told Kotaku on the phone today, denying that the historic New York arcade would be closing its doors.
Yes, the arcade is having trouble with its landlord and taking them to court, he said, but that's not going to kill Chinatown Fair. "If things don't work out with the landlord, then maybe we'll go to Williamsburg [in nearby Brooklyn, New York]." Ventura says Chinatown Fair already has two potential relocation venues and he wants people to know that everything's going to be OK.
Ventura sounded like one stressed arcade manager today, lamenting that "everyone's calling and upset," due to that "rumor" he said was started by Henry Cen. On Sunday, Cen posted a message on Facebook, saying that Chinatown Fair had "lost its lease," a comment that triggered the concerns of arcade-loving gamers despondent that the neighborhood institution still celebrated as a scrappy temple of fighting games was closing its doors.
Ventura doesn't just dismiss Cen as a "moron" but refers to him as an ex-employee, Chinatown Fair's former technician who occasionally comes by to fix up some of the arcade cabinets owned by Cen's friend that are on the premises. Cen, however, refers to himself, in messages to Kotaku, as the arcade's "primary investor" and to Ventura as "just an employee" who "is going to be fired to my knowledge."
Joystiq added this bit on the situation:
I don't care what they say about Henry Cen he is the best commentator in the SF community. Its not like Chris Hu where they just laugh because of his accent. Henry Cen is just hilarious on the mic I feel bad that he's getting put on blast right now.
LOL Online gamers trying to start rumors about the real fighting game community Arcade Gamers
Henry Cen is a troll but unlike the usual troll he is actually funny. Lets also not forget he was top 8 and won a golden TE stick at EVO so you better respect him!
best news ive herd all day.. whats next Capcom ganna patch game tomorrow? (sarcasm)
but seriously, im glad because i live in new york and always wanted to go there but never did because i dont play with an arcade stick..anyone that has gone, are there consoles to play on ?
I submitted this YESTERDAY right after I tweeted about it. ( http://bit.ly/gtLKSI )
I guess the feedback form is busted.
actually if you want to be precise, if you go to the tourney forum on srk for chinatown fair tourney henry cen said that the tourney was canceled becuase they were going to shut the doors before then, and second henry cen is a online game i have played him on xbox live myself. so prety much henry cen claims to me the "owner of this place" and hes been called out on being a troll. case closed
Glad it's not closing. I've been meaning to visit there just for the experience. Although, I've heard it smells pretty awful. Not really surprised.
@#24 I hate playing online I go to the arcade as much as I can Arcade > Staying at Home. And yea we may play on live but we don't take it serious like most of you all do
Chinatown stinks of fish and wet garbage, I hope CTF moves to Williamsburg!
"If things don't work out with the landlord, then maybe we'll go to Williamsburg"
LMAO that sounds exactly like a "lost lease", so how exactly is Cen a moron or even trolling?
Henry Cen blown up by the manager of an arcade. "A prior employee" says the manager. "A moron" states the manager. I don't know, if I were Henry Cen, I'd feel mighty embarrassed right now.
It has to be said, arcades are a thing of the past, they're an antiquity. That's not to say they weren't good, but change has come, and it seems that some people don't like change, which is understandable. Who want's to have to deal with managers of a run down arcade, when you can sit in the comfort of your own home, with a cup of tea, a sandwich and just chill and enjoy.
come see me in chinatown...Othawize....gonna be there from 1 til 2 tomorrow....bring it and ima bust that a$$