Published: 7/3/2017 12:20:34 PM
TURNERS FALLS — Pinball enthusiasts across the Pioneer Valley now have a new place to play some old games. Mystic Pinball, a pinball arcade with 22 vintage and newer machines, opened in downtown Turners Falls last weekend to crowds young and old.
Mark Hankowski is the owner of the shop at 104 Avenue A. He’s a Franklin County native who moved back to the area about four years ago and started collecting pinball machines as a way to survive the New England winters.
The shop has 22 machines, and they’re operated by tokens players purchase. Hankowski said the amount of tokens per machine depends on the purchase cost of the machine and its cost of upkeep.
He and his family live in Amherst, and ended up with a business in Turners Falls because his friend owns the building and encouraged him to open up shop. Hankowski said part of what he wants Mystic Pinball to be is a unique attraction for the area.
“My hope is that this will be a draw to Turners Falls,” he said.
Corina, Hankowski’s wife, said that so much of the reception has been positive and has brought a lot of people back to their childhoods.
“Everyone seems to have a memory of pinball,” she said.
Hankowski said he hopes to eventually have soft drink and snack offerings and possibly serve alcohol in the future, but for now, managing the opening of the business is plenty.
The opening generated a lot of excitement from pinball enthusiasts and new players alike. Marylou Bliss, from Greenfield, was there with her husband and three kids. She said the kids begged to go to the opening and the family was impressed with the machines. She was among the many adults who mentioned the nostalgia element of the games.
“I haven’t played since I was a kid,” she said.
She said that this is another addition to a downtown that has been growing in recent years with new businesses.
“It’ll bring more positive things to town,” she said.
Hours will be posted regularly this summer on the shop’s Facebook page: facebook.com/mysticpinballma and soon-to-be live website.
Reach Miranda Davis
at 413-772-0261, ext. 280
or mdavis@recorder.com.