Magic City
A roller rink and entertainment complex from the mid-90s. Reference: https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/13/aim-to-have-a-total-blast/ https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/04/09/teen-clubs-doors-keep-closing/
Location
Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan: Champaign-Wright
“Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan, also known as “”The Flying Tomato Brothers,”” was founded in 1971 in Champaign, Illinois. At its peak, the chain expanded to operate 18 locations across Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. The building that held this location still stands and is a frozen yogurt restaurant today. References https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSGyhuzLYZc Original Aug 1977 Garcia’s…
Aladdin’s Castle: Hawthorne Center
Hawthorne Center was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Detroit‑area teens could hear the Hawthorne Center Castle’s attract modes while skating at the nearby roller rink, per a Southfield nostalgia thread.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for…
Aladdin’s Castle: Hanford Mall
Hanford Mall was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Hanford Mall shoppers in California’s Central Valley traded rumors of getting a Dragon’s Lair cabinet here first—forum lists confirm the site existed.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for…
Aladdin’s Castle: Hanes Mall Suite 672
Hanes Mall Suite 672 was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Winston‑Salem’s Hanes Mall fans recall Suite 672’s Castle keeping the lights on until 2002, after which Winner’s Choice filled the slot.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for…
Aladdin’s Castle: Greenwood Mall
Greenwood Mall was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Bowling Green’s Greenwood Mall Yelp page still lists the defunct arcade, and a Facebook debate tries to remember any rival arcades.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for local teens—quarter…
Aladdin’s Castle: Genesee Valley Mall
Genesee Valley Mall was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Genesee Valley Mall’s Castle survives today—reborn as a bounce‑house/arcade per a local radio walk‑through.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for local teens—quarter stacks on…
Aladdin’s Castle: Fashion Square Mall
Fashion Square Mall was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. A Slice‑of‑Nostalgia Facebook thread names Fashion Square’s Castle ‘the spot’ for high‑school arcade lock‑ins in the late ’80s.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for local…
Aladdin’s Castle: Edgewater Mall
Edgewater Mall was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Biloxi veterans recall sprinting from Edgewater Mall’s Castle to the beach in the same afternoon—its Yelp stub still lists the 228 area‑code number.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of passage for…
Aladdin’s Castle: Eastridge Mall
Eastridge Mall was one of the chain’s signature mall outposts, opening in the late 1970s / early ’80s boom when Bally was carpeting America’s shopping centers with blinking marquees. Casper kids of the ’90s list Eastridge Mall’s Castle as stop #1 before the cinema—local radio even ran a ‘15 things 90s Casper kids remember’ segment.By the 1990s, the site had become a rite of…