‘Global Gaming’ holds grand opening Parents asked to see it for themselves

Lovers of video games rejoice as the new downtown business, “Global Gaming,” held its grand opening last Friday afternoon.
And while he’s been greeted with a positive response from area youth since he open its doors back in late January, owner John Racioppi feels business would be even better if more adults dropped by 256 Scott St. and checked it out for themselves.
“So far, things have been great. But I think what’s happening is not enough parents are giving it a chance,” Racioppi said during the grand opening Friday afternoon.
“They’re assuming it’s a pool hall and it’s not,” he stressed. “Once parents do come here, the kids are back.”
Racioppi said he’s likely going to have a promotion where customers can clip out a coupon for one free hour of gaming.
The only catch is that parents must come in to redeem it, either for their children or themselves, in order to get them to come to the business and check it out first-hand.
“That way, they can get in here and look around, and see the kids aren’t hanging out and doing anything bad, and that it’s a very clean establishment for them to enjoy,” Racioppi explained.
“The kids aren’t taking advantage of it as a place to sneak out on their parents.”
In addition to busy traffic on weekends, Racioppi has been hosting a lot of hockey wind-ups and birthday parties. He’d like to see weekday traffic increase, however.
“Monday to Thursday are pretty much the same. It’s decent,” he said. “It’s not quite what I projected, but it’s close.
“I think once people realize what it is and feel comfortable bringing their kids, it’s going to change.
“I’ll see parents peeking in, and I’ll go out and invite them in to take a look,” added Racioppi. “They’re a little nervous and hesitant.”
For those who might not know yet, “Global Gaming” offers up many gaming opportunities, with multiple console systems—PS2s, PS3s, and XBox 360s—hooked up to flat-screen TVs of varying sizes.
These are hooked up to the Internet, so gamers even can play with others elsewhere in the world.
“It’s really cool,” remarked Racioppi, adding he’s heard Spanish and even Japanese coming through speakers when gamers have played online games.
There also is an Internet café, a foozball table, some touchscreen machines, and an indoor golf simulator with a 120-inch screen, allowing golfers to bring in their own clubs and golf nine or 18 holes—rain, shine, or snowstorm.
“The golf’s been really good,” noted Racioppi, adding he did a cross-promotion with Bill Gushulak of Fort France General Supply, where Gushulak’s customers could enter a contest to win rounds of virtual golf at “Global Gaming.”
While the business is open afternoons and evenings, those who want to book “tee times” earlier in the day—and golf in some peace and quiet—can call and make appointments, added Racioppi.
The message he wants to get out right now is for everyone, regardless of their age, to come to “Global Gaming” and see it for themselves.
“Last Saturday, the age range in here was from six to 60,” he recalled. “There was a grandfather in here with his grandson. The grandson wanted his grandfather to try something out, and as soon as he sat down and tried it out, he said to the grandson, ‘Find something else to do.’
“He got right into it.”
While Racioppi and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Logue, have been running the business for now, he plans on hiring more staff as the customer flow increases.
“Global Gaming” must abide by the town’s business licensing bylaw, which requires parental consent for people under the age of 15 to operate amusement machines in businesses operating within the municipality.
As such, gamers can have a parent/guardian come in with them to sign them up the first time they come in to play, or they can come in with a note from their parents.
If they do the latter, Racioppi will give them a permission form they can bring home for their parents to fill out.
Parents either can return these in person or send them back with their children to Racioppi, who then will call the parent to verify they had, indeed, signed the permission form.
“It’s just a one-time thing, and then it’s all over with,” he noted.
Kids who come in can pay by the hour, or parents can pay for so many hours in advance if they want.
As mentioned above, “Global Gaming” already has held several successful parties for birthdays and hockey wind-ups, with Racioppi noting people should keep him in mind for such occasions.
“It’s something other than the pool or bowling. They’ve been a big hit,” he remarked. “The kids love it. It’s a lot of fun for them.”
Have any questions about hours, rates, or anything else? Then drop by “Global Gaming” at 256 Scott St. or call 274-4687.