BY EVA MAYS
Games are Chris Meyers’ business.
For over 20 years he has built a vending route of indie games, jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables — anything that takes coins — across six states. In 2010, he approached the owners of All Saints Brewing Co. in Greensburg, Pa., and asked if they would be interested in having an arcade in their establishment.
“They were totally on board with it,” Meyers said, “and it ended up being a huge hit.”
He has now created over 40 “barcades” throughout the east coast.
In 2017, he brought the barcade concept to Morgantown when he opened Starport Arcade & Pub on Chestnut Street. Starport offered a unique blend of entertainment, including classic and indie arcade games, food and drink, and special events such as pinball tournaments, zombie proms and boozy adult spelling bees. The “Mothership,” as it is sometimes called on social media, became the nexus of a tight-knit community of game lovers of all ages.
But that community lost its gathering place when Meyers made the difficult decision to close Starport in December 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a Facebook post that appeared about a month after the closure, Starport lamented the loss of the Mothership, but stated, “we are 100% committed to a return!”
Starport’s devoted fans waited with bated breath for months before plans for an official reopening were announced in July 2021. The Facebook announcement garnered hundreds of likes, comments, and shares.
Many of the details of the reinvention were kept under wraps, but Meyers was busy behind the scenes. He found a new location at 228 Walnut St., in the space formerly occupied by Blaze Nightclub. He brought on business partners, too: Blaze’s owners, Robert Khoury and Max Cummons.
“Blaze was fun while it lasted,” said Cummons, “but then COVID shut us down. We were trying to figure out the best option for reopening in our spot. We already had a good business relationship with Chris, and we came up with the idea of teaming up and making Starport happen.”
With his other arcades to attend to, Meyers could not be in Morgantown as often as he wanted.
“Before, it was a lot of work for just me,” Meyers said. “With Rob and Max, I have some really dedicated people that work right alongside me.”
All of the owners were thrilled to reveal their new space.
“It looks incredible,” Meyers said. “Max and Rob put in so much sweat equity here. I’m smiling because anyone who comes in here is going to be shocked at what they see. It’s three true stories of arcade space.”
The Walnut Street location, with a soaring 20-foot ceiling on the first floor, was ideal for Starport’s purposes.
“The ceilings on Chestnut Street were so low, I don’t think there’s a single game in here right now that would’ve fit in the old Starport without us modifying it,” said Meyers.
The new location also has almost three times the square footage, so there are many more games on offer.
“About 50% of these games here now are brand-new.”
At the bar, there are 48 varieties of draft beer, and the menu includes pub favorites like chicken wings, pizza and nachos. The space is available for rent for birthdays and other parties and gatherings. The owners were eager to bring back the popular events and plan a pinball tournament.
Starport is open from 5 p.m. until close (typically 3 a.m.) Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to close on Saturdays and Sundays. Children and teens are welcome until 9 p.m,, when it switches to ages 21 and up only.
More information about Starport can be found at https://starportarcade.com/
When Starport celebrated its long-awaited grand-reopening in July, the line to gain entry stretched for blocks.
“Morgantown needs this,” Mary Jo Navarra McIntyre said. “I love that there is something for every member of the family. So much fun.”
