DeKALB — From the restoration of classics like Pac-Man to the installation of modern games, Star Worlds Arcade, located at 1234 E. Lincoln Highway, has been in business since 1985.
Patrick O’Malley, a resident of DeKalb, has owned the business independently since graduating from high school.
Northern Star: What kind of games have come in recently?
Patrick O’Malley: “I did put in two new driving games recently, we just got a new music/rhythm game, so I’m constantly changing games here. That’s what we always do here at the arcade; keep things fresh,” O’Malley said.
NS: When are your busiest operating hours?
PO: “It’s always busy on the weekends, but that’s a good thing for us. If you want more of the personal kind of atmosphere, weekdays are a better time for that,” O’Malley said.
NS: What would a bigger location mean to you?
PO: “A bigger location would mean a bigger footprint, so I could actually have more games. I also want to get into some birthday party areas. Just like in any business, when you have more space, you can do more things,” O’Malley said
NS: What inspired the creation of Star Worlds Arcade?
PO: Well, I started the arcade myself. But when you’re 12 years old, you need parents involved to sign leases and contracts and stuff like that. When I graduated high school, my mom went on to nursing, and I went on to run the arcade,” O’Malley said
NS: Have you considered expansion outside of digital games?
PO: “As far as expansion, I know people have talked to me about wanting a pinball league, so we’re exploring that now. I know we’ve got some new music games coming up planned too,” O’Malley said
NS: Do any groups affiliated with NIU visit regularly?
PO: “We’ve had a really good group of what seem like freshmen that’ve been coming in that really enjoy all our music rhythm games. I’m really happy with the NIU connection that we have right now,” O’Malley said.
NS: What can the community expect to see within the next 5-7 years from your arcade?
PO: “Well, that’s hard to say, but in the dream scape of it, I wouldn’t mind finding a bit bigger of a location. I’d like to see if I can expand on the idea of what we do here and make it bigger, but the economy is a big thing I’ve watched,” O’Malley said.
NS: Have you made any plans for the upcoming summer?
PO: “During the summer, I just kind of keep things steady. Even though enrollment is down for NIU, we stay focused because a lot of family business is big in the summer,” O’Malley said.
Star World Arcade is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
