Successful businesses are built on strategy, sometimes on physical skills, many times through teamwork, or a combination of all of the above. When it comes to developing a strong team, there is nothing like a good team-building experience. This one brings together a unique combination of skills and nostalgic charm.
Radioactive Pinball Arcade opened two years ago and has written a story for business development. The gaming company, located in the Holley Building at 113 Laurens Street in Aiken, was started by Eric and Erin Edwards and will soon celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their business. They have created a following that has resulted in two expansions of their company in those 24 months.
“We’ve hosted birthday and graduation parties, pinball leagues and tournaments, and recently a wedding reception, but we started having businesses reach out about hosting team building events. As someone who spent years in a great job in medical administration, developing this offering was right up my alley,” said Erin Edwards.
Radioactive Pinball Arcade has hosted groups for team building from Bridgestone and Merrick Engineering, and several teacher groups from area schools. This week, a group of Young Professionals from the Aiken Chamber will be testing their pinball skills.
“It’s very competitive and you have to work closely together. One controls one flipper, and their teammate controls the other. It’s people working together and having fun at the same time,” explained Erin.
She also understands the work/life balance. After undergoing health issues, Erin and Eric decided to follow their passion for pinball and gaming by opening the arcade. Now she gets to spend time with her daughter in the mornings and work with her husband in the afternoons and evenings.
They started with 60 games and now have 120, including Pacman, Ghostbusters, and, for sports fans, NFL Blitz, which all seem to appeal to young and old alike. The Edwards have developed a party room in their most recent expansion with help from their daughter, Sydney, who created some of the artwork. The space also allowed for a workshop for Eric to keep all of those gaming systems working at a top-notch level.
Whether it’s the classic design, the familiar sounds, or the simple joy of hitting the flippers, pinball machines evoke a sense of nostalgia that few other forms of entertainment can replicate, and now they might surpass scavenger hunts, trivia events, and escape rooms as the ultimate company team-building event.
To host a team building event for your company or more information on an event at Radioactive Pinball Arcade, click here or call (803) 373-1717.
Editor’s Note: Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia, as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
