White Center is gearing up for a new entertainment hub as Josh and Erin Rhoads prepare to launch Southgate Arcade at 9616 17th SW, with its grand opening slated for Friday, July 11th. This new "all ages" venture is designed as a classic arcade, evoking a retro 80s and 90s ambiance, and will be fully air-conditioned to ensure summer comfort for everybody.

The Rhoads own the just adjacent Southgate Roller Rink. The new arcade will be an offshoot of their primary business.

The concept for Southgate Arcade began to materialize about 9 to 12 months ago. The space, which previously served as a bank building and, for the last four-plus years, primarily as storage and parking for the roller rink, was once considered for a skate shop or a mini rink for young learners. However, the Rhoads found that the insurance overhead associated with wheels on feet, even for a small rink, made those plans financially unfeasible.

The arcade will boast nearly 40 games in total, featuring a mix of pinball and traditional arcade machines. Currently, there are seven pinball machines, with two more expected, plus a "funny bowling game" that resembles a pinball machine, bringing the total pinball count to nine. Additionally, about five more traditional arcade games and five crane games are set to be added.That bowling game is a slightly updated remake of a classic, often referred to as Ten Strike Classic Bowling, which preserves the nostalgic gameplay. Players still aim the little bowler and trigger the throw, but with updated components and some digital enhancements to improve reliability.

Notably, the Rhoads do not own the games themselves. Instead, they operate under an agreement with a partner who owns thousands of pinballs and video games placed in various city locations, including bars and restaurants. This partner, who also supplies games for the Southgate Roller Rink, is responsible for maintaining the machines and shares a split of the profits.

All the games, with the exception of the crane games, will operate on quarters, aiming to provide a classic 80s and 90s arcade experience without tokens, tickets, or redemption prizes. The crane games will be the only machines that accept credit cards.

A significant draw of the new arcade is its 30-guest, all-ages karaoke room, available for party rentals. This addition addresses a clear demand, as the roller rink's existing 10-guest karaoke room in its lounge is restricted to those 21 and over.

The karaoke room rental will be priced at $585 for up to 30 guests for two hours. While the arcade itself will not offer a full food and beverage service, only a snack machine and sodas, guests are welcome to bring in their own food. For private adult parties, the Rhoads can utilize a liquor endorsement on their existing license to provide a pop-up bar and bartender, functioning similarly to a banquet license.

Security is a strong point for the new location, as the former bank building features heavy-duty doors, robust camera systems, and secure ceilings. The arcade's operating hours will be Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For its opening on July 11th, the Rhoads plan a more understated approach, potentially offering discounted karaoke room rates and free quarter rolls for the community, rather than a large ceremonial event. A unique feature will be a pinball machine displayed and cycled monthly within the former bank vault, offering a distinctive visual experience with cool lighting.

The Rhoads anticipate substantial cross-pollination between the new arcade and the Southgate Roller Rink. Renting the arcade's karaoke room will conveniently include admission for skating at the roller rink for that day, making it part of the package.

This strategy aims to direct customers between the two venues, particularly when the roller rink might be closed for private rentals, guiding otherwise disappointed patrons to the arcade, which will remain open to the public without an admission fee. Furthermore, the arcade's location provides crucial parking for the roller rink, especially during peak times and roller derby bouts, with a large lot accommodating 75 to 78 spaces. The Rhoads also share 10 parking spots with Urban Animal during weekday hours (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday), an arrangement that does not conflict with their own operational hours.

Josh Rhoads' journey in White Center began when he purchased the Southgate Roller Rink in April 2011. At the time of acquisition, the rink had been vacant for approximately seven to eight years.

Before its extended vacancy, the space had briefly served as an indoor soccer venue, which failed due to low ceilings, and subsequently as a swap meet.

The previous owner eventually lost the property due to missed payments. The Rhoads initially secured the property through a lease-to-own agreement, exercising their option to buy after a few years and have steadily developed it since.

Josh's profound connection to roller skating stems from his background as a competitive roller skater, competing at the World Championships, Pan-American Games, and World Games as a single freestyle skater. He placed second at the junior world championships and consistently ranked in the top 10 during his senior years. His competitive history led him to manage Lynwood Bowling Skate before taking over Southgate Roller Rink.

The roller rink has experienced continuous growth, expanding its hours and upgrading its license from beer and wine to a full bar accessible from 16th Avenue and the rink itself. The Rhoads are "obsessed with making it better" for the community, a dedication they intend to extend to the new arcade, maintaining a retro vibe and making it a special gathering space.

Beyond the rink and the forthcoming arcade, the Rhoads also own Búho restaurant on 16th Avenue, which they acquired about three years ago. Búho, said Josh is a "small, nice little comfortable laid-back bar" that is performing well and handles a significant amount of catering, including a taco bar option, for corporate events. They also collaborate with local vendors like Big Marios Pizza for additional catering options for private parties, and consistently permit outside food at the roller rink. Their partnership with Baby Ketten Karaoke, who operates a karaoke bar in Portland, brings karaoke nights to the roller rink's bar on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

The Rhoads firmly believe in the family-friendly atmosphere of White Center, dismissing any "archaic thinking" about its safety. Josh asserts that any issues encountered in White Center are comparable to those in other metropolitan areas or Seattle neighborhoods . He highlights the tight-knit community of young entrepreneurs and business owners who actively support each other and cross-promote. He mentioned partnerships with local establishments like Lariat (a wrestling bar), Patrick's bakery, local pizza shops, and Tim's Tavern. This strong community spirit, he noted, was significantly influenced by the late Justin Cline, owner of Full Tilt Ice Cream, who was a passionate community advocate.

Looking ahead, Josh does not anticipate White Center being overtaken by large stores. He views new investments as positive and believes the area's unique energy and vibe will continue to attract the right people, ideally allowing businesses to remain affordable. He emphasizes that the community is a vibrant space for art and music, increasingly becoming more family-oriented and healthy. Having been in White Center for 14 years, the Rhoads have witnessed substantial positive evolution in the area, something they believe is a result of hard work and cooperatoin among White Center business owners.

Find. them online at  http://www.southgaterollerrink.com/