Chuck E. Cheese may be closing its Salisbury, Maryland location but its two spots in the lower Hudson Valley — Yonkers and Nanuet — remain open.
Alejandra Brady, senior director and head of public relations for CEC Entertainment, said Chuck E. Cheese has opened and closed locations every year for the past four decades. “As leases expire, markets evolve, and consumer preferences shift, we adjust our real estate strategy accordingly,” she said. “This is how we manage a national footprint across 45 states and should not be interpreted as an indication of financial or operational distress.”
In fact, she said, looking ahead to the rest of the year, they anticipate opening more locations than they close. Most of those will be their new active play Adventure World locations which represents their “continued brand innovation and a significant commitment to enhancing the experience for our families across the country.”
CEC Entertainment, the parent company of the entertainment-and-pizza venue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2020 which sent rumors swirling about other closures.
The child-oriented restaurant/fun zone was founded in 1977 and makes up a majority of the company’s business. Each location has about 75 games, rides and attractions, including classics like Skee-Ball, Whac-A-Mole and arcade basketball. The chain also serves kid-friendly faves like pizza, wings, desserts and drinks. Aside from the games and food, folks enjoy being serenaded by the brand’s eponymous mouse mascot.
The company, according to Brady, is constantly evaluating its business. “We closed our Fargo, ND location a couple of years ago and we’re now planning to open a new location there this year.”
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Will Chuck E. Cheese in Yonkers, Nanuet close? What we know now
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
