Turners Falls pinball arcade to return after 2020 closure

TURNERS FALLS — After a six-year hiatus that left a pinball-sized hole downtown, the silver balls will soon fly once more. Danny Levine, former co-owner of the defunct Mystic Pinball, is officially bringing the arcade back to Avenue A this spring under a new, playful banner: Mystic Cat Pinball.

Those who frequented the previous venue can expect a similar atmosphere as Levine said the goal that guided the original arcade remains the same: to connect people to the game of pinball and host a space for people to connect with other members of the community.

“Part of that was the importance of pinball being for everybody, and it being an all-ages, everybody-welcome sort of venture,” Levine said.

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the arcade was among the businesses deemed non-essential and forced to close temporarily. Subsequently, the business announced its plans to permanently close on social media in July, citing the economic impact of the pandemic, and Massachusetts’ indefinite shutdown, in which some types of businesses, such as arcades, would not be allowed to reopen until a vaccine was available.

The announcement was met with an outpouring of support online. Some commenters shared hope for a return to Turners Falls in the future.

Levine said the reopening has been the “worst-kept secret” around town. Renovations at the Mystic Cat Pinball arcade — located at 113-115 Avenue A, across the street from its former home — began in September. At the same time, he also started moving machines into the space.

Levine noted he was careful to ensure the arcade opened in the right location in Turners Falls or Greenfield — one that would allow him to expand his offerings beyond pinball. Throughout the process, Levine said the goal was always to come back to Turners Falls.

“There’s a lot of love for Turners [Falls] and Franklin County, and it was important. We want to continue to grow that community and that engagement that we had already and keep building,” Levine said.

He said a plan for hours and prices is still in the works, but additional information will be made available in the coming months, including an official opening date.

The arcade’s new name pays homage to the previous venue while also incorporating his love of cats, and the playful and fierce spirit of the animal he sees embodying the spirit of the new venture, Levine said.

Mystic Cat Pinball will have pinball machines from the different eras — from the 1960s to present day. One of the machines to return, which Levine said was a previous favorite, is an Addams Family-themed machine.

The arcade will also feature new amenities for patrons, including a full bar with seating and local beers and spirits on tap. The new space is approximately double the size of the previous location at 2,000 square feet, according to Levine.

“It was very pinball-focused, which will still be the case with Mystic Cat Pinball, but it’s going to certainly be expanded to also include non-pinball entertainment,” he said. “Whether it’s karaoke, trivia, stand-up comedy, music, game nights, [I’m] sort of trying to think outside the box again with that sort of community engagement.”

Mystic Cat Pinball is seemingly already on its way toward growing engagement, as Levine said the community support for reopening has been “wonderful.” The reopening announcement on Facebook has gained around 20,000 post engagements.

“It’s been really nice to know that we created something, put a lot of effort and time and money into it, but it really left a lasting impact and impression on people,” Levine said. “It’s just amazing that after that much time, people are still like, ‘We miss it,’ ‘We want it,’ ‘We’re so glad you’re back.'”

To keep up with Mystic Cat Pinball, visit its Facebook page.