The Arcade Expo

When I was a kid, there were three arcade places in town that stole my time and quarters.  The first was Malibu near Poplar Level and the Watterson (where I would sweat playing Cabal), the second was Aladdin's Castle (distinct memory of playing Out Run at my friend's after-hour birthday party), and the nameless-to-me-now one in the Mall St. Matthews (they got my entire piggy bank on one game of Terminator 2).

I have fond memories of these times.  They were simpler for me.  I eagerly anticipated Friday night with my dad (the boys' night) where I would get a chocolate ice cream cone and spend all of my dad's overtime pay on Star Wars (either version), Airwolf, and Dig Dug for good measure.

Even though these arcade houses faded into the distance a long time ago, there has been a new hope:  The Louisville Arcade Expo.  Since 2011, Joe Stith, Matt Fleitz, and Jeremy Fleitz have been putting on show with enough radiation to send you back to the Cold War.  "The Arcade Expo is a celebration of all things retro gaming. It's about bringing back something magical that has been lost in modern gaming. It's about that feeling you got when you went to the arcade and saw all the new, awesome games like Street Fighter II. Or the rush you felt the first time you picked up the star and barreled through in Super Mario Bros," said Joe Stith.

The show features over 30,000 square feet of retro game with a certified pinball tournament, gaming contests (with super creative trophies), a travel through time of gaming consoles, a costume contest, and guest speakers (this year's show includes a famous pinball designer and stars from the documentary, King of Kong, A Fistful of Quarters).  "To those who lived during that golden age of gaming we want them to have another chance to relive the glory days; as well as introduce a new generation to the incredible analog gaming scene of the 70s, 80s, and 90s," continued Stith.  

The Expo is held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel off of Hustbourne Lane on 1776 Plantside Drive (near Bachman Subaru), and it is jam packed, wall-to-wall, with great gaming titles.  The pinball section is loaded for any wizard, containing both old and new machines (my favorite in the past has been the Joust machine--yes, a Joust pinball machine).  A walk through history is found in the console and computer game section, starting with Atari and Apple IIe and ending with the N64 and original XBox.
When asked about some of his favorite parts of the Expo, Stith said, "Seeing the pride and joy that a mom or dad gets when they show their young kids how they played games 'back in their day', and then seeing the kids and parents having a blast playing together."

The dates of the show are March 4-6.  The hours are Friday 2:00 pm-12:00 am, Saturday 10:00 am-12:00 am, and Sunday 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
The cost of admittance is $25 for the day/$55 for the weekend.  All games are set to free play (no quarters needed).  With pre-registration, the cost is $20/day or $45 for the weekend.  In addition, there is a discounted rate for staying at the Ramada Inn.
Gauntlet II thrown.

http://www.arcaderx.com/

Matt Gatewood
REALTOR

Keller Williams Louisville East

502-594-6582

www.gatewoodproperties.com

First Dairy Kastle of the Season

Old Man Winter smacked us in the face (literally) with a couple of big snows and bitter cold in February; however, spring is officially here.  That means that the real estate market should start to open up more, especially with low interest rates, good supply levels, improved economic indicators, blah, blah, blah.  Let's talk about what is most important:  the Dairy Kastle is open.
I recently made my first trip of the 2015 ice cream season, and the experience reminded me of the movie, The Polar Express.  In it, Santa Claus announces "The first gift of Christmas".  For me, I like to celebrate "The first Dairy Kastle of the season".  What was my choice this year, you may (or may not) ask?  It was a small vanilla and orange swirl in a cone.  Now, like the main character in the movie, I was faced with a world of choices, and everyone who goes to the DK will find themselves in the same spot.  I could have gone with a single flavor, several choices of swirled flavors (including the new pineapple flavor this year), a flurry, milkshake of many varieties (traditional, orange cow, or brown cow), a sundae, banana split, or a legit slush puppy.
The DK brings people from all areas of town and walks of life together for what is important:  sugar.  No matter where we are in life or where we live, we now know that spring has begun with the opening of this important institution.  Just bring some cash (no credit cards, checks, or bartering) and some patience for the line (but well worth the wait).

If you have any questions about the real estate market (or about Dairy Kastle), please let me know.

Matt Gatewood

REALTOR
Keller Williams Louisville East

502-594-6582

www.gatewoodproperties.com

The Louisville Renaissance

I feel that I’m constantly hearing of another accolade for Louisville.  This is a notable thing, especially for a native of this eclectic, historical city.  I must say, though, speaking directly to this wonderful city, that, ‘You’ve come a long way, baby.’  My memories of growing up here are excellent; however, (for you younger millennials out there), before there was Waterfront Park, there was a waterfront filled with scrapyards and fuel tanks.  No one went downtown with any regularity.  There were things around to do, but there wasn’t a great energy.  

Things have changed.  The Big Four Bridge is not just rusted metal sitting on stones anymore.  Grass actually grows on the river.  NuLu is the place to be.  Bardstown Road has more fun places to eat and hang out than ever (while still successfully maintaining its weirdness).  There are now more places to eat downtown than Count Von Count can number.  The Goss Avenue antique mall is being re-done in Germantown.  The University of Louisville has expanded and grown.  Delicious restaurants are popping up on every corner.  Churchill Downs started night racing.  The energy has changed.  

And, there is national recognition.  CNN named the Derby City one of the top 20 travel destinations in 2013.  This went further with National Geographic Traveler naming Louisville one of the top 20 Best in the World locations in 2013 (yeah, I said world, not national).  My favorite award for the Ville came in 2012 from GC when it named Louisville the most manly town in America.  Yeah, that’s right.  

All the tips of the hat to Louisville being a great location to visit are great.  But, what about to live?  Yes, in 2011 Parenting magazine chimed in, listing Louisville to be one of the top 10 places to raise children, citing affordable housing, museums, and being the “City of Parks” (thanks, Frederick Law Olmsted).  

Louisville is a city filled with beautiful tree-lined parkways, vast parks, historical buildings, excellent food, and fun things to do and see.  I titled this post, “The Louisville Renaissance”, but I guess I really ask the question--is this a re-birth or just the beginnings of even better things to come?

Matt Gatewood

REALTOR
Keller Williams Louisville East

502-594-6582

www.gatewoodproperties.com