Automatic Age

12
May, 1931
A u t o m a t ic A ge
THE ARCADE SITUATION A T CONEY ISLAND
By JO SEPH J. B E T Z
New York newspapers feature the an­
nouncement of Coney Island’s official open­
ing on May 16 with the statement that
there will be nothing really new this year
in the way of shows, rides or attractions.
Lack of capital and financial backing is
cited as being the cause of the absence of
new devices.
The statement is substantially true, but
to the owners of penny arcades and ex­
hibit manufacturers, the opening of three
new penny arcades in Coney Island is
merely another example of the increasing
amount of money that is being invested in
coin-operated industries.
Within the past five years, the number
of arcades operating in the world’s largest
playground has doubled. Twelve establish­
ments with a minimum valuation of $10,000
each are now in operation. In previous
years the number of arcades have increased
at a conservative pace, but with the reputed
abnormal appearance of three new estab­
lishments this season, pioneer operators
are wondering whether the year will be
profitable.
Commenting on the situation, Mr. Fox,
veteran operator of two arcades in Steeple­
chase Park regretted the fact that there
spent in penny arcades. “ W ith an over­
whelmingly large number of arcades, the
seasons profits will be cut in most cases,”
believes Mr. Fox.
Milton Weissman, associated with his
father, Samuel Weissman in conducting an
arcade in the downtown section of Brook­
lyn for many years is one of the new
arrivals in Coney Island. The Weissmans
decided to operate on the boardwalk be­
cause it is their belief that Coney Island
is big enough and attracts enough people
to support twelve arcades. Young Weissman
is of the opinion that the more arcades
opened in a concentrated area, the more
“arcade-minded” the public will become,
hence greater popularity for the entire
trade.
An opposite viewpoint is held by Pete
Bozzo, also on the Boardwalk. “ The more
arcades, the lower our income,” says Pete.
“ With an arcade on every block the people
will become fed up on arcades.
Every
arcade has practically the same machines,
same music and the same pictures or for­
tunes. I f the manufacturers could supply
us with a bigger variety of machines, the
situation would be better,” he said.
are, in his opinion,
situation in
too many arcades.
“ People do not come down to Coney Island
to patronize the arcades,” he said. “ The
public’s patronage of arcades is incidental
and is largely dependent on the larger at­
tractions to bring out the crowds.” Mr.
Fox made this point clearer by stating that
it was his observation that people in
planning their day at Coney Island usually
allow for a ride on the carousel, the giant
coaster and a few other attractions, but
never do they budget an amount to be
© International Arcade Museum
Perhaps the chief cause o f the uneasy
Coney’s arcade business is
Joseph Bonsignori. He is a new comer to
the Island who startled experienced oper­
ators by leasing one of the most expensive
locations for an arcade at a rental reported
to be above $7,000. Bonsignori has had
twenty-six years of experience in operating
arcades in St. Louis, Louisville and Atlantic
City and does not share the pessimistic
view held by his fellow operators. “ I have
the finest location on the Island. It is
equipped with the finest assortment of ma-
http://www.arcade-museum.com/