HONOLULU (KHON2) — After three decades, Chuck E. Cheese in Pearl City is calling it a day. The longtime family entertainment center is closing its doors for good on Sunday, Aug. 10, but not before saying goodbye in a very Chuck E. way.
For 30 years, Chuck E. Cheese in the Pearl City Shopping Center has been a rite of passage for local families generation after generation.
“We grew up coming here, I brought my kids here. Yeah, super sad,” said Diandra Gonsalves, who was celebrating her niece’s birthday.
Chuck E. Cheese opened in 1994 and franchise co-owner Jodie Hasche says it’s been an honor to be a part of so many celebrations over the years.
“Special rewards for like good grades, good behavior, they lost a tooth and they’re so stoked and they get to come to Chuck E. Cheese as a reward,” Hasche said. “We were able to grow with the families, it’s a fun job.”
The fun memories that came with the location made the decision to close the location so difficult. But lease issues that only guarantee them another two years gave them no choice.
“There’s nothing definite that we’ll be able to stay here so it doesn’t make sense for us to invest,” Hasche said.
According to Hasche, the location had plans to upgrade the store.
For former employee Kaimana Kauwalu, who came back just to work the store’s final days, it’s the people he’ll miss the most.
“This was my first job in high school, I went to Pearl City High School,” Kauwalu said. “Throughout all the years even after I left, I popped in just to say hi, I even worked at the other Kapolei location. This is home, you know.”
For those who want a piece of nostalgia, some of the games, tables, seating and kitchen equipment is up for auction until August 11.
What isn’t up for sale will be moved to the two remaining Chuck E. Cheese locations in Kalihi and Kapolei. Some of the 24 current employees will also continue to work at the other locations.
“The characters are such a quintessential part of what makes Chuck E. Cheese. Without our characters we’d just be a normal arcade. We’re a big believer in them and that’s why it’s so important,” Hasche said.
Chuck E. and his character friends will make the move, but what won’t be around will be the animatronics. They are some of the last anywhere in the country and corporate wants to put them in a museum.
Before the final slice is served, Chuck E. Cheese is throwing one last bask — a mahalo party on Aug. 8th.
“We wanted to have a party to thank the community. Thank our guests, thank all the employees who have worked here in the past,” Hasche said.
The party starts at 4 p.m. The doors officially close two days later.
“It is very surreal to think that we’ve had that impact on the community by just being a great place to work,” said Alison Allen, Chuck E. Cheese co-owner.
The Chuck E. Cheese auction can be found online.