Cincinnati's Westwood neighborhood will soon be home to a vintage/future-themed arcade called Wondercade.
Slated to open early next year, the all-ages arcade will feature a large collection of games including classics like Asteroids, pinball and Pac-Man, along with rare gems like Tron and Dig Dug and group-play games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or NBA Showtime.
"The future part of our retro/future concept will be a chance for us to collaborate with the community of new, innovative game designers," Leslie Rich explains in an email interview.
They will also offer sandwiches and snacks from local food vendors as well as classic candy. In terms of beverages, Wondercade will feature a variety of old-school sodas and will host soda tasting events in the future. Those interested in adult beverages will be able to choose from local craft beer, wine and premixed liquor cocktails.
The team behind the arcade is husband and wife duo Bill and Leslie Rich who have a shared passion for classic arcades.
"We’ve always loved the community aspect of arcades. We started to collect games about three years ago and became very serious about bringing our retro/future arcade concept to life about two years ago," Leslie says. "We have two boys and they also love old school arcade games. Unfortunately, when The Place Retro Arcade in Deer Park closed, we didn’t have any place that we could go and play with our kids more than one Sunday a month. Wondercade is about games first and a place where everyone plays."
The arcade will be located at 3143 Harrison Ave. in Westwood's Historic Business District, taking over the former Keidel Plumbing showroom.
Long-time residents of Westwood, Bill and Leslie decided to put Wondercade in their neighborhood (the biggest in the city) in order to invest in and help better the community.
"Westwood has been our home for the past 16 years and I helped co-found Westwood Works ten years ago. I’m now the Executive Director," Leslie says. "Bill and I decided it was time to not only invest our time and creativity into Westwood, but to level up and invest financially."
Wondercade will be a part of a neighborhood on the rise when it opens.
"There is a lot of positive momentum in Westwood with the opening of Muse Cafe and Westside Brewing along with the newly renovated Westwood Town Hall park which is near the Madcap Education Center," Leslie says. "Nation Kitchen+Bar is set to open their second location in Westwood’s historic former fire house and Ivory House will bring new life to an old bank building in 2020."
Admission to the arcade will be $10 (it's free for children under 6). That will get you all day play on free games and your first drink.
The arcade will also be available to rent for birthday parties and other events.
For more info, follow the Wondercade Instagram and Facebook page and visit their website at wondercadecincy.com.
Wondercade, 3143 Harrison Ave., Westwood.
