By LEIGH FLYNN DOTY
It’s funny how certain sounds and sights can instantly transport us to another time and place. Taking a trip down memory lane allows us to refocus and remember the carefree days of youth.
For some, those memories may include family trips or holiday traditions. For members of Generation X, often described as “the MTV Generation,” those core memories are infused with significant cultural influences — hip hop and alternative rock music, the birth of franchise blockbuster movies, and the introduction of video gaming on a large scale.
Teenagers in the 1980s and early 1990s spent their weekends at the arcades and skating rinks, hanging out with friends. Placing a quarter on the console held your place as the next one to take on the victor of the current Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter battle. Younger children often asked mom for some quarters in hopes of scoring big on the pinball games at the pizza parlor while waiting for supper to arrive at the table.
They were simpler times (at least for the young people). They were times that shaped us. And, they were times that, 30-plus years later, led to the opening of what would become the largest video arcade in Louisiana.
“This is something we grew up around,” recalls Jeremy Shepherd, co-owner of Wayback’s Arcade in Pineville, “so we decided we wanted to bring it back and allow a new generation to have the same experience we had.”
Shepherd says his partnership with Evan Paul began in a quite unusual way. Paul, who worked in construction at the time, had a hobby of buying old arcade cabinets, restoring and preserving them, and reselling them. Shepherd, who also never lost his love of the old arcade games, came across one of Paul’s cabinets posted on Facebook.
After attempting to connect several times with Paul, Shepherd said a mutual friend formally introduced the two. Before long, this friendship, formed over their mutual interests, would develop into a great partnership, Shepherd recalls.
Shepherd recalls the mix of emotions as the arcade opened four years ago. “We were terrified when we signed the lease for 1400 square feet (at their former location in Kingsville). That space had an occupancy limit of 103 people, and we had 130 in line to get in on opening night!”
“There was a hunger for this type of entertainment,” Shepherd recalls.
Unfortunately, one month and three days later, the surge in COVID cases in the state caused the business to close for the next few months. When they were able to reopen their doors, it did not take long for customers to make their way back to them.
The interest and excitement surrounding the arcade grew so quickly, that, not long after the celebration of their first anniversary, they were reaching capacity at the former location. It was shortly thereafter that they secured the current space.
“We jumped to 15,000 square feet, of which 5,000 is reserved for restoration and maintenance,” Shepherd said.
A bigger location meant more games. The arcade, which originally featured approximately 45 games, has expanded to closer to 150, Shepherd said. Those games include 130 arcade cabinets, 9 gaming consoles, 20 pinball machines, pool tables, air hockey, and skee-ball.
In the four years since Wayback’s Arcade opened, Paul has been able to leave the construction job to devote his time to the restoration and maintenance of the older machines, which has been an invaluable asset to the business.
“Maintenance is definitely a constant,” Shepherd said. “When machines are used like these are, they can sometimes be temperamental.”
Shepherd still serves full-time as pastor of Pineville Park Baptist Church.
Although the arcade operates on a “free play” basis (unlimited play for one price), Shepherd said the primary aspect of the business focuses on parties. In 2022 alone, the arcade hosted 467 parties.
Not only is the arcade the perfect spot for birthday parties, but Shepherd said they host field trips, company parties, and other private parties.
They also regularly feature “date nights” and tournaments. Tuesdays are BOGO days, or “Family Days,” with one free admission with every paid admission. They even offer memberships for $35 per month.
As far as the “target age group” for the arcade, Shepherd said it is truly designed to appeal to all ages. “We love to see families come in and play together,” he said, “but we also love seeing people of our generation enjoying it.”
The arcade has its share of “incredibly loyal fans” and customers who still enjoy seeing their names in that top scorer slot on the screens. But they also have enjoyed the support they have received from the entire community.
“People ask us why we didn’t open in Baton Rouge or New Orleans or somewhere else,” Shepherd recalls. “But Pineville has been really good to us. We are thankful, thankful, thankful for all of the support.”
Wayback’s Arcade, located at 1305 Military Highway, is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until midnight, and on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. Anyone under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult.
For information about parties or other group events, contact them at 318-266-7091 or visit their website at www.waybacksarcade.com.