Arcade Infinity, one of the most popular arcades still open in the United States, was scheduled to close down on January 15, 2011. But an announcement was posted on their Facebook page, stating that the arcade would stay open and continue operating, "for unspecified period of time."
AI is being saved by the owners of Diamond Plaza. After seeing all of the public outcry over the closing, and how active this particular event page has been since the announcement, they've worked out a deal with AI to significantly help their operating costs and keep the arcade open for an unspecified period of time. While currently the arrangements that the landlords have made with the city of Rowland Heights regarding AI's business license will only cover them for 6 more months, they're working out arrangements to extend it up to a period of 3 years. We'll know the outcome of this sometime in March when the approval is made or denied.
Either way, thanks to the landlords we get to keep AI for at the very least a few months longer. After speaking with Ken, the first action they're gonna be taking with this turn of events is to put some money into getting 4 Super Street Fighter 4 setups running, beatmania IIDX 18 RESORT ANTHEM (possibly in a new cabinet), DDR X2, pop'n music 18 SENGOKU RETSUDEN, and a few other titles that he's has his eye on for a little while.
Also just to clarify a bit on the closing of the arcade, while a good portion of it had to do with earnings (or lack thereof) the nail in the coffin was actually delivered by the city of Rowland Heights. AI's business license was to expire in December, and the costs that they originally wanted the Tao brothers to pay to keep things open was just completely unreasonable for how much money the arcade was pulling in. The landlords have since worked with the City to make their license renewal a possibility, and have secured them an extension.
With all of this being the case, we still want to encourage everyone to make their way out to the arcade this Saturday. Instead of a last chance to play at one of the best arcades the US has ever seen, let's celebrate their 10 years of continued business and contribution to the arcade industry in North America!
I went to arcade infinity once when visiting over there it was really nice but this was before SSF4 hit arcades but i do remember them having a few SF4 cabinets I'm just happy we are starting to get an Arcade scene over here again in Las vegas With Gemini arcade and Gamewerks
Excellent no you cali folk get your butts to that arcade and keep them up and running. Do it now.
I know if CTF ran into this problem, I'd go support the fack out of that place. It's a small smelly stinkhole of an arcade, but it's MY small smelly stinkhole of an arcade, and it's the best place in the city to get good matches.
HURRAY!!!
I thought we were going to loose AI for good right now!
AI is a great place for Diamond Plaza and Diamond Plaza will loose a lot if the arcade closes down, especially that Boba place.
I hope Ken does get SSF4AE, that way a lot of players will continue to go the arcade and actually pay per play.
Wish we had a UK equivalent.