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'''Abra K Dabra''' was an experimental chain of pizza restaurants and entertainment centers operated by [[Kmart Corporation]]. Intended as a competitor to [[Chuck E. Cheese]] and [[Showbiz Pizza Place]], Abra K Dabra locations were located next to [[Kmart]] stores and were themed after magic, with live magic shows being performed. The two Abra K Dabra locations opened in June 1982 in [[Wood River, Illinois]] (next to [[Kmart 4412|Kmart #4412]] and [[Florissant, Missouri]] (next to [[Kmart 4304|Kmart #4304]]).<ref>Lazarus, George. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74315189/chicago-tribune/ "Abra K Dabra! Kmart produces restaurants"], [[Chicago Tribune]], May 27, 1982, section 2, page 6.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74315306/st-louis-post-dispatch/ "Business Memo: Pizza And Magic"], [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]], June 27, 1982, page 1D.</ref> |
'''Abra K Dabra''' was an experimental chain of pizza restaurants and entertainment centers operated by [[Kmart Corporation]]. Intended as a competitor to [[Chuck E. Cheese]] and [[Showbiz Pizza Place]], Abra K Dabra locations were located next to [[Kmart]] stores and were themed after magic, with live magic shows being performed. The two Abra K Dabra locations opened in June 1982 in [[Wood River, Illinois]] (next to [[Kmart 4412|Kmart #4412]]) and [[Florissant, Missouri]] (next to [[Kmart 4304|Kmart #4304]]).<ref>Lazarus, George. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74315189/chicago-tribune/ "Abra K Dabra! Kmart produces restaurants"], [[Chicago Tribune]], May 27, 1982, section 2, page 6.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74315306/st-louis-post-dispatch/ "Business Memo: Pizza And Magic"], [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]], June 27, 1982, page 1D.</ref> |
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By the end of 1983, the booming market for pizza entertainment centers had collapsed, with the {{w|video game crash of 1983}} further destroying Kmart's interest in running video arcades. The Wood River location closed on December 27, 1983, despite a protest staged by a 15-year-old regular customer who chained himself to a pole with a padlock purchased from the neighboring Kmart. The Florissant location closed the following day.<ref>[https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-dec-28-1983-p-1/ "Abra-K-Dabra closes pizza spots despite desperate protest by fan"], [[Alton Telegraph]], December 28, 1983, front page.</ref> |
By the end of 1983, the booming market for pizza entertainment centers had collapsed, with the {{w|video game crash of 1983}} further destroying Kmart's interest in running video arcades. The Wood River location closed on December 27, 1983, despite a protest staged by a 15-year-old regular customer who chained himself to a pole with a padlock purchased from the neighboring Kmart. The Florissant location closed the following day.<ref>[https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-dec-28-1983-p-1/ "Abra-K-Dabra closes pizza spots despite desperate protest by fan"], [[Alton Telegraph]], December 28, 1983, front page.</ref> |
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Latest revision as of 05:12, 5 January 2023
Abra K Dabra was an experimental chain of pizza restaurants and entertainment centers operated by Kmart Corporation. Intended as a competitor to Chuck E. Cheese and Showbiz Pizza Place, Abra K Dabra locations were located next to Kmart stores and were themed after magic, with live magic shows being performed. The two Abra K Dabra locations opened in June 1982 in Wood River, Illinois (next to Kmart #4412) and Florissant, Missouri (next to Kmart #4304).[1][2]
By the end of 1983, the booming market for pizza entertainment centers had collapsed, with the video game crash of 1983 
further destroying Kmart's interest in running video arcades. The Wood River location closed on December 27, 1983, despite a protest staged by a 15-year-old regular customer who chained himself to a pole with a padlock purchased from the neighboring Kmart. The Florissant location closed the following day.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Lazarus, George. "Abra K Dabra! Kmart produces restaurants", Chicago Tribune, May 27, 1982, section 2, page 6.
- ↑ "Business Memo: Pizza And Magic", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 27, 1982, page 1D.
- ↑ "Abra-K-Dabra closes pizza spots despite desperate protest by fan", Alton Telegraph, December 28, 1983, front page.