New Livonia arcade business is frighteningly fun for kids, adults
Horror-themed arcade offers variety of old- and new-school games
A life-sized, robotic version of “Halloween” star Michael Myers greets visitors the second they step into Arcade 707, a recently-opened Livonia gaming arcade that — like its “greeter” suggests — has horror and fun written all over it.
The brainchild of Tony Loden — who also owns the adjoining Gypsy Soul Tattoos — the arcade provides local fun-lovers a cleverly-decorated space to enjoy gaming with their video-loving friends and peers.
“Tony always had a dream of opening an arcade, so when this building became available next door to his tattoo shop, he jumped on it,” said Jackie Strecker, Loden’s mom and the manager of Arcade 707. “He’s always been a fan of horror movies, so he came in and decorated the arcade with a horror theme.
“People who come in absolutely love it. Even though the location (37514 Ann Arbor Trail) isn’t ideal, we’re picking up steam as far as the number of people that are stopping in.”
The 707 in the business’s name stems from Michael Myers’ address in the “Halloween” movies, Strecker explained.
Strecker expects business to start booming once the weather cools off and local residents’ interests start shifting from summer activities to indoor opportunities.
“It’s been such a beautiful summer weather-wise and it’s the first summer since COVID that restrictions have been lifted, so a lot of people have been traveling and enjoying the outdoors,” Strecker said. “But once the weather turns and more people find out about this place, I think business will pick up dramatically.”
Arcade 707 offers a unique and affordable pricing system for visitors, who can pay $25 to play an unlimited number of games all day, or pay $10 to play as much as they can for an hour.
Stocked wall-to-wall with a variety of games, the arcade features old-school offerings like Ms. Pac-Man and NBA Jam to modern gaming devices like Xbox.
“The most popular games are probably Mortal Kombat, the Golden Tee golf game and the Mutant Ninja Turtles machines,” Strecker said. “Kids under 10 tend to play the Xbox games since they’re not real familiar with the old-school ones.
“We’re finding that parents who bring their kids in love this place as much as their kids.”
Pandemic-created supply-chain issues are impacting the business, revealed Strecker, who said the arcade’s exterior sign is on back order (the former business owner’s salon sign still hangs over the entrance).
“And one of our machines had a part that wasn’t functioning properly and it took two months to get a replacement part, but overall everything is running smoothly,” she added.
The facility recently booked its first birthday party — four-hour events that make the arcade available only to invited party guests.
Arcade 707 is open 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays; 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
