I like coming back to this video every now and then. The transformation from the dark and condensed PTT layout to the bright and open layout of Dick Frank's "new vision" of the late 80s is incredibly stunning and fascinating to watch. Watching this in our modern era where 2.0 remodels have been rolled out almost company wide, it really puts into perspective how much Chuck E. Cheese and its brand image have evolved in over 30 years. Great piece of history right here, thanks Jenn.
Thanks to J for video documenting this all those years ago, and to my friend Steve for converting the VHS footage so i can share this in full with the world.
This was absolutely amazing to watch through. Multiple times my inner fan came out wanting to physically see all the changes happen. It was so cool seeing the ball crawl be built and even a snip of the Beach Bowzers early look / them performing. It'd be cool if we managed to see B.B. here before she was gone. Such a great video thank you so much for this
Having lived in the North Shore area of Massachusetts (Lynn, to be specific) for most of my life and gone to the Danvers Chuck E. Cheese a number of times while growing up in the '90s, it is amazing to see what this location looked like back in the '80s. The darker lighting, decor, animatronics, and overall layout are much more appealing than what I recall seeing in my childhood. I'm incredibly envious of those of you fortunate enough to have been alive to experience the Pizza Time Theatre era and gone to this and other locations. Three cheers to you and J Hubbard for documenting and preserving history!
The Cheese Factory: The way I see it in my mind's eye is incredible. I wish I could find good video of it. I was trying to track down floor plans of it a few years ago and it led to a dead end. So if anyone knows or has a tip on finding full images, floor-plans and/or blueprints to the Cheese Factory, please send me in the right direction. My goal is to recreate it
Back then I’m sure it was quite exciting when a CEC location would get a remodel. Now it’s dreaded when a CEC gets a remodel, at least for us fans. The remodels today just make the restaurant a lifeless, empty shell of what it was once in the golden days of CEC from 1977 until about 2012 when they introduced Rockstar Chuck. While I grew up with Rockstar Chuck (since I was born in 2004) and have some fondness for him due to that, I can’t deny that it was truly the end of an era when they made that change.
I remember when my PTT got a remodel from the balcony stage to the “C” Stage. I was so excited! Little did I know what else was to come. During the different phases of remodels, I never realized the flags leaving; the Warblettes leaving, and the Clapper Board.
It doesn't even look like an 80's PTT location anymore. It looks like they gutted the room where the King was and put in a new space where the skeeball machine would be and it looks like they turned it into a late 80's/early 90's CEC.
The Danvers location lost it's original PTT 'look' when the mid-80s merger happened. A slight remodel took place in 1985 that removed some original PTT elements ( B.B.'s Caberet room, Balcony Show, orange walls, etc. ). The Store as it appears in this video before the 89' remodel is showing that 'merger' era influence, but many original elements still exsist ( Lounge with The King, order counter / three tiered kitchen window. Jasper General Store, Cheese E. Steet / Cheese Factory )
Hard to believe filming cameras were still so rudimentary in 1989. Technology really moved at a snail's pace back then. I was only 19 y/o, so at the time, I didn't notice nor know any better. In fact, back then, I'd have likely told you that videocameras were the high point of technology and how could it get any better? 😊
I have had this footage for years, but just recently a friend converted it in full for uploading here. My friend J actually filmed this back in 1989, A edited version with overdubbed instrumental music has been on my Channel here for many years.
Do you still have bb bubbles someOne did record a video but I think it got deleted but balloon still has it as her profile picture I also wanna know if your friend still has the beach bowsers
It was sadly tossed into the dumpster when the first major remodel happened to the Store in the Summer of 1989. There were however three interior sign elements that were saved from 'The Cheese Factory' and are in private collections.
Like most PTT's back in the early 1980s, Danvers originally opened as a franchise location in 1983. At that time, it had a different assigned number. When PTT went bankrupt and Showbiz bought out the company, many franchise locations were bought back and made Company run stores. Danvers was then assigned the #478 number in early 1985 when it was no longer a franchise and was now Company owned and operated.
A duck character that was developed for PTT, but never used. Once concept figure was made. The name was carried over to a Diagnostics Reel for PTT to test the Cyberamic System.
When the Danvers location opened in April of 1983, the Balcony Stage was originally located on the back wall of the Showroom facing the front entrance. When the MMBB 2-Stage was installed in 1992, for some reason it was decided to move the Show over against the right hand side wall facing the back of the building. So Guests walking in could NOT see the show in the Showroom unless they walked over into the space. I always assumed this was done to create a larger seating area, but i never agreed with the change in location.
Yes, we are VERY lucky - the exterior Store signage is still present on the building. Normally, this is one of the first things removed when a CEC Location closes permanently. But thanfully, Shiny Happy Danvers retains it. So anyone going by the Store today can pretend it's still operating!
@@CircusShowplace everybody’s gonna say Danvers is still open but you said it’s permanently closed since April 2020 and he probably could do a special where are you go to Natick CEC
Yes! Very common for Pizza TIme Theatre's in the early 80s to be next door to a Kmart. PTT would lease space from Kmart, who typically shared space with them at some locations. Brandon, FL did this as did Danvers, MA.
A question not alot of people ask but did all pizza time theters from the 70s and 80s keep the 70s arcade games or switched to the super nintendo or sega games in the 90s
Games were switched out over the years. The classic arcade video games and original kiddie rides lasted until the end of the 80s at many locations. When the major early 90s remodel happened, a lot of those older games were junked and a new games package arrived. 90s games were still changed out periodically to keep the offerings fresh for Guests. By the late 90s and especially the early 2000s a lot of 'ride on' video games were featured ( Jurassic Park, Artic Thunder, Wave Runner, etc. )
So the King was actually removed he wasn't placed anywhere else in the building and if he was removed that was pretty early to be removed from the store some stores had their King as late as 1995 or 96
I believe it was Newington idk. And someone said that a king or two may have been in one or two locations as late as the very early 2000s but like I said they could have been talking about something completely different 😂
Props to the cameraman for going back in time to film this!
I seen you in a comment section in 2020 before I finally decided to make a account lol
I like coming back to this video every now and then. The transformation from the dark and condensed PTT layout to the bright and open layout of Dick Frank's "new vision" of the late 80s is incredibly stunning and fascinating to watch. Watching this in our modern era where 2.0 remodels have been rolled out almost company wide, it really puts into perspective how much Chuck E. Cheese and its brand image have evolved in over 30 years. Great piece of history right here, thanks Jenn.
Thank you, and i agree with your comments. The stark contrast is indeed quite eye opening.
@@CircusShowplacemake a time machine bro I need to go here
@@CoolioTheSecondSame.😢
It's interesting to think this was basically what a 2.0 remodel is to us
This was my local Chuck E Cheese growing up in the 80s and 90s, this is interesting to see! I remember the Cheese Factory vividly.
Casually wakes up to 40 minutes of raw unedited PTT footage
Well, technically this is post-PTT and 'merger era' ( 1989 )....but, you DO get to see some of the former PTT elements before removal.
@@CircusShowplaceHuh? Do You Mean Danvers At One Point Became A Showbiz Pizza Place That Was Undocumented?
The Danvers location was never a Showbiz. There was only ever one Showbiz location in all of MA, and that was the former Springfield MA location.
Glad we have full footage of this remodel
Thanks to J for video documenting this all those years ago, and to my friend Steve for converting the VHS footage so i can share this in full with the world.
@@CircusShowplace did u guys film the phase 2 remodel also or no?
Nope.
@@CircusShowplace do y’all have footage of the king when he fell over
Nope, sorry.
This was absolutely amazing to watch through. Multiple times my inner fan came out wanting to physically see all the changes happen. It was so cool seeing the ball crawl be built and even a snip of the Beach Bowzers early look / them performing. It'd be cool if we managed to see B.B. here before she was gone. Such a great video thank you so much for this
Having lived in the North Shore area of Massachusetts (Lynn, to be specific) for most of my life and gone to the Danvers Chuck E. Cheese a number of times while growing up in the '90s, it is amazing to see what this location looked like back in the '80s. The darker lighting, decor, animatronics, and overall layout are much more appealing than what I recall seeing in my childhood. I'm incredibly envious of those of you fortunate enough to have been alive to experience the Pizza Time Theatre era and gone to this and other locations. Three cheers to you and J Hubbard for documenting and preserving history!
Wow the old Pizza Time Theater design had a nice ambiance to it!
man, i went here a ton between 89-95. i mostly remember playing in the ball pit and hearing beach boys songs, just like in this vid.
Really neat to see this kind of footage of the remodel. Thank you for posting! Hope to see more remodel videos soon!
This. Takes me back I' miss the old chuck e cheese
Woah, They Change So Much!
The Cheese Factory: The way I see it in my mind's eye is incredible. I wish I could find good video of it. I was trying to track down floor plans of it a few years ago and it led to a dead end. So if anyone knows or has a tip on finding full images, floor-plans and/or blueprints to the Cheese Factory, please send me in the right direction. My goal is to recreate it
it's sad knowing this location is now essentially an extension of Market Basket's Liquor department.
Indeed. In MA, you cannot sell alcohol in grocery stores. So Market Basket simply put a glass window between the two spaces.
@@CircusShowplace Interesting,
Back then I’m sure it was quite exciting when a CEC location would get a remodel. Now it’s dreaded when a CEC gets a remodel, at least for us fans. The remodels today just make the restaurant a lifeless, empty shell of what it was once in the golden days of CEC from 1977 until about 2012 when they introduced Rockstar Chuck. While I grew up with Rockstar Chuck (since I was born in 2004) and have some fondness for him due to that, I can’t deny that it was truly the end of an era when they made that change.
I remember when my PTT got a remodel from the balcony stage to the “C” Stage. I was so excited! Little did I know what else was to come. During the different phases of remodels, I never realized the flags leaving; the Warblettes leaving, and the Clapper Board.
Love it!
So cool to see what Chuck E Cheese looked like a year before I was born
Wow what a change from a old western style pizzeria to a modernized late 80s pizzeria
It doesn't even look like an 80's PTT location anymore. It looks like they gutted the room where the King was and put in a new space where the skeeball machine would be and it looks like they turned it into a late 80's/early 90's CEC.
The Danvers location lost it's original PTT 'look' when the mid-80s merger happened. A slight remodel took place in 1985 that removed some original PTT elements ( B.B.'s Caberet room, Balcony Show, orange walls, etc. ). The Store as it appears in this video before the 89' remodel is showing that 'merger' era influence, but many original elements still exsist ( Lounge with The King, order counter / three tiered kitchen window. Jasper General Store, Cheese E. Steet / Cheese Factory )
very interesting video!
Very interesting to see on film, nice
Glad they uploaded this when they did that analog tape must've been going as the video is really choppy 😢
Hard to believe filming cameras were still so rudimentary in 1989. Technology really moved at a snail's pace back then. I was only 19 y/o, so at the time, I didn't notice nor know any better. In fact, back then, I'd have likely told you that videocameras were the high point of technology and how could it get any better? 😊
It’s crazy how big Danvers was then become kinda small and different in such little time
Amazing vid and I like to see the beach bowsers and king
Awesome footage
That’s is so amazing You found this full footage Jenn
I have had this footage for years, but just recently a friend converted it in full for uploading here. My friend J actually filmed this back in 1989, A edited version with overdubbed instrumental music has been on my Channel here for many years.
@@CircusShowplace Do You Have Chuck E Live Get Ready Traning April 1997
Not that i am aware of, no. I don't think i have that one.
@@CircusShowplace BUT I WANT CHUCK E LIVE GET REAY TRAINING APRIL 1997 OKAY
Do you still have bb bubbles someOne did record a video but I think it got deleted but balloon still has it as her profile picture I also wanna know if your friend still has the beach bowsers
i have a video the og got deleted heres A REUPLOAD ua-cam.com/video/KXeufWH-SXs/v-deo.html DO YOU STILL HAVE IT
Awsome!
Amazing!
danny stop it, go play
How long did it take too remodle
Where were the bathrooms at Danvers?
Right next to the entrance
Does anyone know what happened to the Cheese Factory Sign??!
It was sadly tossed into the dumpster when the first major remodel happened to the Store in the Summer of 1989. There were however three interior sign elements that were saved from 'The Cheese Factory' and are in private collections.
Nice video Jenn
Thanks ! Glad you enjoyed !
D A N N Y S T O P I T
Wow!
when do you upload a video on this youtube channel
Great footage! Do you have footage of them installing the 2 stage in 92/93?
I think it was 94
I do not. Neither me nor my pal J who shot this footage featured were working for CEC at the time.
@@CircusShowplace Bummer! 😩 Glad you were able to document this nevertheless. 😊
Quick question, was #478 the original unit number?
Like most PTT's back in the early 1980s, Danvers originally opened as a franchise location in 1983. At that time, it had a different assigned number. When PTT went bankrupt and Showbiz bought out the company, many franchise locations were bought back and made Company run stores. Danvers was then assigned the #478 number in early 1985 when it was no longer a franchise and was now Company owned and operated.
Hey do you have a Chuck e cheese remodel 2000 tour? If not what else do you have?
This is the only 'remodel' video i have.
Do you know anything about Dr. Dux?
A duck character that was developed for PTT, but never used. Once concept figure was made. The name was carried over to a Diagnostics Reel for PTT to test the Cyberamic System.
@@CircusShowplace Do you know if the Diagnostics Reel is still in like youtube or any video?
Hey i noticed the Animatronics weren’t in their original position in Phase 4, Did they move the 2 stage?
When the Danvers location opened in April of 1983, the Balcony Stage was originally located on the back wall of the Showroom facing the front entrance. When the MMBB 2-Stage was installed in 1992, for some reason it was decided to move the Show over against the right hand side wall facing the back of the building. So Guests walking in could NOT see the show in the Showroom unless they walked over into the space. I always assumed this was done to create a larger seating area, but i never agreed with the change in location.
Oh ok!
Hi Jen, how were the animatronics controlled in the days before desktop computers?
I like this Danvers footage even though Danvers close they still got the avenger Chuck logo
Yes, we are VERY lucky - the exterior Store signage is still present on the building. Normally, this is one of the first things removed when a CEC Location closes permanently. But thanfully, Shiny Happy Danvers retains it. So anyone going by the Store today can pretend it's still operating!
@@CircusShowplace everybody’s gonna say Danvers is still open but you said it’s permanently closed since April 2020 and he probably could do a special where are you go to Natick CEC
Do You have 1994 Remodel Of Chuck E. Cheese's Danvers MA Location?
Nope. Only the July 1989 remodel, which is up here already on UA-cam via my channel.
Cool
Will you show your PTT 1982 calendar Jenn? I'd like to see it!
I only have a few pages of the artwork i saved, and not the complete calendar. The 1983 edition however i have complete and in like new condition.
Is that Kmart next to Chuck E cheese?
Yes! Very common for Pizza TIme Theatre's in the early 80s to be next door to a Kmart. PTT would lease space from Kmart, who typically shared space with them at some locations. Brandon, FL did this as did Danvers, MA.
@@CircusShowplace Jackson Mississippi's PTT was next to a kmart also, it survived until 2009 when it relocated a few miles away
@@CircusShowplace and it closed in 2002
@@CircusShowplace El Cajon was next to a K Mart
We had 2 that where next to Kmart here in Milwaukee.
This is so creepy I love it
It's not creepy💀
27:10 I hear beach boys music is that the beach bowsers or is it just music in the background
A question not alot of people ask but did all pizza time theters from the 70s and 80s keep the 70s arcade games or switched to the super nintendo or sega games in the 90s
Games were switched out over the years. The classic arcade video games and original kiddie rides lasted until the end of the 80s at many locations. When the major early 90s remodel happened, a lot of those older games were junked and a new games package arrived. 90s games were still changed out periodically to keep the offerings fresh for Guests. By the late 90s and especially the early 2000s a lot of 'ride on' video games were featured ( Jurassic Park, Artic Thunder, Wave Runner, etc. )
Thank you you awnser everything cec thanks
❤️😀😭
Great video do you have footage of other Chuck E Cheese's
Yes, some can be found by viewing the various 'CheeseVention' webcast video programs here on my UA-cam Channel.
I’m sure all the kids in this video are taking their kids to Chuck E Cheese now.
So the King was actually removed he wasn't placed anywhere else in the building and if he was removed that was pretty early to be removed from the store some stores had their King as late as 1995 or 96
The king was removed and placed into the Newington store until 1996/1997. They essentially cabaret switched. Danvers got Newingtons beach bowsers
@@animatronicsfan1092 I never knew that I thought they were gone by 1996
@@nathanlopez5667I heard someone say that I believe it was Arlington, had a king until 1998
I believe it was Newington idk. And someone said that a king or two may have been in one or two locations as late as the very early 2000s but like I said they could have been talking about something completely different 😂
naa brooo, i found this lost tape of freddys fazbear pizza
Shut up bro
#itzarob
Was it a pizza time Theater
Yes