SouthCoast Arcades Get the Green Light to Reopen in a Week

Finally, some positive news for some local small businesses.

On Thursday, Governor Charlie Baker granted permission for all outdoor and indoor arcades to open much sooner, as in next week, rather than waiting for Phase 4 of the state's COVID-19 reopening plan to come about.

This is great news for a few of our local arcades here on the SouthCoast.

Among the arcades are the following businesses:

• Barrett's Alehouse and Game Room, Fall River
• PLAY Arcade, New Bedford
• Lazer Gate, Fall River
• Chuck E. Cheese, North Dartmouth
• Round One Entertainment Inc., Taunton

BitBar, an arcade-bar in Salem, led the charge across the Commonwealth as arcades were forced to wait out a return to business while casinos – essentially the same type of operation, only with gambling in the mix – were allowed to open much earlier.

They argued that with casinos allowed to open, it's only fair that arcades and similar entertainment businesses get the same treatment. There was even talk of a potential lawsuit against the Baker Administration, should he not give in to their request to be allowed to open sooner.

On top of the arcades and family fun complexes, Baker also agreed to allow restaurants to expand the timeframe on their outdoor dining permit, helping restaurants across the state financially.