Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar and Arcade will soon open in Ohio City (photos)

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Delayed more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar and Arcade are now approaching their opening date at the end of the month.

The space at 1880 W. 25th St. occupies over 20,000 square feet with various games like bowling, pinball, bocce, arcade games, video games and more.

Developer Chad Kertesz, on a recent visit to space, summed it up easily: “The Pleasure House.”

Kertesz, the president of My Place Group, purchased the property, which originally housed Daniels Furniture, through an LLC for $2.3 million in 2020. After reviewing various interested tenants, My Place landed on Rise Brands’ Pins Mechanical Co. and 16 -Bit Bar.

Both businesses were originally scheduled to open in the summer of 2020. The pandemic, however, has delayed construction. Kertesz said the project didn’t launch until summer 2021.

“We worked with the tenant for a number of reasons,” Kertesz said. “They did not create the situation that happened, which affected and still strongly affects the retail and restaurant industry. As a group we thought, how can we both work together and weather the storm and stay on task and stay on target? Obviously no one had a magic wand to know when the pandemic would end, but we knew it couldn’t last forever.

My Place Group owns several other retail and commercial spaces in Ohio City, including the buildings that house Mediterranean restaurant Alea, second-hand clothing store Avalon Exchange, and technology center The Hive. The organization also owns several apartment buildings, including Clinton West, Mariner’s Watch, Clinton Suites, and the recently opened 41 West CLE.

Despite the delays, Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar and Arcade are set to open at the end of the month. Kertesz said both companies should be operational in the last week of March.

When that happens, the two brands, housed in a single storefront, will be one of Ohio City’s biggest attractions, with about 100 employees employed, Kertesz said.

“I’m pretty sure this is the biggest storefront and only one business on West 25th,” Kertesz said. “It’s bigger than the town hall. It’s bigger than Market Garden. It’s bigger than Bar Cento. He’s a pretty big tenant in the neighborhood.

The renovations radically transformed and opened up the space, which Kertesz said hadn’t been updated too much in the past few decades. The basement, once used for storage, has become a 12-lane bowling center, with a pinball wing to the side. A new staircase and opening lead to the basement, with a new skylight bringing lots of sunlight to the first and basement.

On the first floor, a bocce ball is available to play at one end of the room, with nostalgic arcade games and skeeball taking over one side of the space. Nostalgic murals and artwork adorn the walls of the space. Televisions and gaming systems will also offer modern games.

Other locations that combine Pins and 16-bit (such as in Nashville, Charlotte, and Cincinnati) charge for bowling, ping-pong, and foosball, but allow customers to play arcade and table games for free. game consoles.

The new Cleveland location for Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar and Arcade follows the closure of 16-Bit’s Lakewood location in 2021. Prior to closing its Lakewood location, the concept originally planned to maintain next to Ohio City facility. Now, the 16-Bit and Pins Mechanical shared spot in Ohio City will be the only northeast Ohio location for either brand.

In Ohio City, the two concepts, housed under the same roof, are destined to become a destination in the neighborhood, the owners said.

“I think with Ohio City, it’s such a walkable neighborhood and it’s so mixed. You’ve got your empty nests, you’ve got the millennials, there’s even a strong group of moms from Ohio City, where we always reach out and ask, “Hey, what can we do with our children or where we can take them?” “said Svetalana Kertesz, COO of My Place Group. “I think it just gives them more things to do, and the same with the residents who live here, it just gives them something else to do. in their own neighborhood.”

Svetlana and Chad Kertesz, who are married, said they are thrilled to have their two young daughters enjoying Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar and Arcade. Although the space will function as a bar, both brands will also cater to families with smoothies and other kid-friendly beverages.

Many drinks will be on the menu inside the Pins and 16-Bit, but the space will only offer a limited food menu. Instead, customers will be encouraged to bring food from home or nearby businesses.

“I’m just so excited to come here with my girls and treat them to a fun frozen smoothie or kids drink, and give them the best day ever,” Svetlana said. “I just imagine them running around and really having fun – my favorite thing is seeing our girls smiling.”

Whether families want to enjoy Pins and 16-Bit’s many games, or locals are looking for a fun night out, the space’s opening marks a positive after two years of pandemic-related challenges.

“Everyone has been isolated for two years now and this is a huge opportunity to bring people together,” Chad said. “Make them all excited, get them all having fun and really getting out of this whole mess.”

Find more information about Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar and Arcade at 16-bitbar.com.

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