John Greatwich is a pinball wizard. He's got a love for the game so serious that he's opening up a shop on Quinpool Road dedicated to the machines. Because of strange zoning restrictions surrounding arcade-style "amusement centres" (ie: "a commercially operated facility providing more than three amusement machines") Great Pinball Store (6148 Quinpool Road, above The Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery) will be a retailer-hangout hybrid, boasting vintage classics and some of the most modern machines, three of which you can try your luck with. Despite issues that prevent Greatwich for opening a full-blown arcade, he's still passionate about bringing entertainment to Quinpool. " I'm just digging in my heels because Halifax deserves to have a good pinball place to play," says Greatwich, who currently deals pinball machines from his home. "People don't really understand the history behind it, it is what allowed the video game industry to grow and develop."
Not only will the Great Pinball Store have games galore for you to scope out, it'll have jukeboxes waiting for you and your good taste and there'll be snacks too, all for a measly two dollar cover charge. Next week marks the shop's soft opening, during which it'll be open 9pm-midnight Monday through Friday, and 7pm-midnight on Saturday. Regular hours commence on January 31 (Monday through Friday, 4pm-midnight, Saturday and Sunday 2pm-midnight.) Stop by, say hello and prepare to have The Who stuck in your head for at least two days.
