Facing Seaside II: Lynn's Arcade
Lynn's Arcade at The Weston Collective Studio
Filled with brightly lit and colorful pinball machines, Lynn's Arcade invites customers to partake in an analog, hands-on gaming experience. Playing pinball machines is similar to practicing darkroom photography in the digital era. The arcade appeals to all ages by offering amusement through mechanical machine games operated with pulls, triggers, lights, and much more. Zach Weston's photograph, Analog Entertainment, captures the kinetic experience of playing with one of these machines. At Lynn's, they hold tradition and nostalgia close to heart, and stepping into the arcade will teleport you into the past when times were seemingly more straightforward without the technology we have today.
One of the owners, Mathew Talley, says that what makes his business unique to the area is that if you Google "Arcade," you will discover that: "We are the only one with 40+ games and 100+ beers for 100 miles. We strive to provide all craft beverages. Beer, water, sodas, and kombuchas." The clientele at Lynn's Arcade primarily consists of daily visitors and walk-ins, pinball tournament players, birthday parties, and corporate retreats. Lynn's Arcade even sells and repairs pinball machines! In addition, they allow you to bring or order outside food to enhance the experience and enjoy the drinks offered for purchase, which is a testament to the arcade's relaxed and welcoming environment. With a fantastic setup of games and a friendly vibe, Lynn's Arcade is a location in Seaside that you don't want to miss!
Student Portrait Session
Behind the Scenes
Business Visit
Lynn’s Arcade Business Invterview
Name(s):
Matthew Talley
Name of business:
Lynn’s Arcade: A Pinball Parlor and Can Slangery
What your business offers the community of Seaside:
Are you from Monterey County, if not where are you from?
Yes, I grew up in Carmel Valley
When did you move to Seaside?
The business moved to seaside in 2019.
What brought you to Seaside?
Opening Lynn’s Arcade.
When was your business established in Seaside?
2019
What was the main reason / motivation to start your business?
We had run a pinball league for 5+ Years and decided to share our passion for pinball with the public!
Do you have an educational background that helped start up the business or are you self taught?
Self taught.
How did you learn all that you do, who were your mentors, or folks who encouraged / supported you when you decided to start your business?
Was all passion for pinball.
Is this work that has been in your family for generations, or did you start this business with a vision of your own?
It was our own vision.
Who are your inspirations? (business or otherwise)
Our inspirations came from arcades around the us. Blairally, Wedgehead, Free Gold Watch.
What would you say is your business specialty?
Pinball and good times.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your business?
We hope to open a couple more eventually.
What would be a single piece of advice that you would give someone who is thinking of starting up their own business?
Do something you absolutely love doing.
What are your feelings about community, what does community mean to you here in Seaside? Is community important to you?
Our business is founded on community. If we didn’t have all these people wanting to come and play we wouldn’t have a business.
How does the community influence and or engage with your business?
We get told all the time how welcoming and fun it is at Lynn’s Arcade. We have birthday parties and company parties, not to mention leagues and tournaments!
Were you thinking of setting up your business in any other location? Or was it always meant to be here in Seaside?
We were trying to set up in Salinas but the space in seaside happened to work out best. We love it here.
Do you have any plans for expansion?
Yes, a patio is coming soon!
Who is your typical customer?
Anyone with a passion for playing pinball!
What is your customer demographic, who are you trying to reach?
Anyone and everyone.
Do you have social media for your business? What platforms?
Yes, Facebook and Instagram. As well as streaming on Twitch.tv.
Do you have a current website?
Yes! Lynnsarcade.com
How are you currently marketing to potential customers?
Monterey County Weekly, word of mouth.
Please provide an example of our community in action in relation to your business? Or when do/have you feel most supported by the community?
More marketing for sure.
How does your business show up for the community?
During Covid our pinball community came together to rent games from us and keep us alive. It was amazing. We plan to do more for seaside. We want to support youth sports once we get more settled.
Over the years, what have you seen change on Broadway? Good and/or bad.
I’ve seen broadway change a lot. I’m loving all the new businesses coming in and giving it a cool downtown feel. More things to do to make people want to walk the whole strip on both sides.
What sets your business apart from the other businesses in the area? What makes your business unique, desirable or in demand in 2022?
Google arcade. We are the only one with 40+ games and 100+ beers for 100 miles. We strive to provide all craft beverages. Beer, water, sodas, and kombuchas. All in cans. Cans are the most recyclable material in the beverage world. No plastic, no glass.