<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Zzu5w_1H4B0FLR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Zzu5w_1H4B0FLR00" width="958" height="720" ><figcaption>1/6 Roger Nikunen plays his favorite arcade game from when he was a child; Konami's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, released in 1989. (Fox Perez/The Astorian)</figcaption></figure><h2>Community outpouring of support keeps doors open for now</h2>In a Nov. 2 Facebook post, owner Roger Nikunen announced that Gizmo’s Retrocade would be closing its doors on Nov. 15. Nikunen, aka “Retro Rog,” cited “financial setbacks, declining sales, costly repairs, operational challenges and ongoing problems in our downtown neighborhood” as key reasons behind his decision to close the arcade.Following the announcement, Nikunen said he and the retro arcade have received an outpour of community support. So much so, that just three days later, Nikunen announced on Nov. 5 that the arcade will be keeping its doors open and its arcade machines plugged in for the “foreseeable future.”“I’m actually excited for the future, though it’s still uncertain,” Nikunen said.Since Nikunen announced Gizmo’s closing, he said he has received support from patrons, some of whom donated $5,000 to help keep the arcade open through the month. Nikunen has also received inquiries from interested parties looking to join him as business partners, but he said he’s still waiting for the right partner.For Nikunen, the right business partner can help him bring his vision for the arcade to life — turning the retro arcade into a year-round entertainment hub for the community. A part of that vision is expanding.“I want to double the size of the space by making use of the basement,” Nikunen said. Plus, “we can upgrade our liquor license and host events. … I want this place to be a reason people come to Astoria, even in the winter.”<h2>Fighting for a dream</h2>Nikunen bought Gizmo’s on April 1, 2024. In late fall of 2025, after experiencing diminished sales and foot traffic, Nikunen briefly wondered if he could go on, but the business prevailed. Now, after two years of struggle and sacrifice to keep the doors to the arcade open he said, “sometimes I feel like the joke was on me.”Shortly before buying the business, a business partner had to pull out from their plan to run the arcade together after suffering from a heart attack. This left Nikunen to run the arcade with two loans to take care of.“It’s the loans that are killing me,” Nikunen said. “If I did not have loan payments to make, we would be fine throughout the year.”According to Nikunen, his original business partner was supposed to handle the alcohol, food and beverage side of the arcade, while Nikunen himself was meant to be in charge of the arcade games and merchandise.“They were going to put a full kitchen in, staff it, and expand the menu,” Nikunen said. “That’s what I’m looking for — individuals interested in expanding this place.”While owning and operating the retro arcade, Nikunen has been keeping his finances afloat by working as a full-time software engineer for the health insurance company Humana.“I’m downstairs on a computer working for Humana,” Nikunen said. “Half the money I make from them goes back into the arcade, sometimes more.”Though Nikunen said he didn’t buy the arcade to get rich, “passion doesn’t pay the bills.” When Nikunen wrote his Nov. 2 Facebook post about closing the doors, he said he had finally came to a point where he could no longer sacrifice his and his family’s own financial stability to keep the business running.<h2>Why go on?</h2>Nikunen said he believes in the promise of Gizmo’s to bring a safe and fun environment to the kids and families of Astoria.Growing up, he found an escape from the evils of society by going to his local arcade in Minnesota, he said. He wants to provide that same sense of sanctuary to the youth of Astoria. Despite the “chaos” of running a small business in Astoria, Nikunen said it’s worth it when he sees someone’s eyes “light up after playing an arcade game” or after connecting with a piece of childhood nostalgia.“I want people to come in and see the vision and the possibilities,” Nikunen said. “There is no other place in Astoria for kids to do anything. … Unless you’re 21 and can go to a bar, what else is there to do?“I believe Astoria deserves something like this. I believe in the magic of nostalgia, the importance of community and the simple joy of watching a kid discover an arcade game for the very first time.”Employee Logan Milliron has worked at Gizmo’s for a little under four years. He said one of his reasons for staying on at the arcade is getting to see kids and families have fun there.“It’s cool to watch,” Milliron said. “It’s almost as fun as playing the games yourself.”Milliron’s coworker, Amanda Rousseau — who has been working at Gizmo’s for just a few months — agreed. She said the retro arcade bridges the generational gap between kids and their parents — the games kids are having fun playing are the same ones their parents played when they were their age.<h2>Game on</h2>Since Gizmo’s initial closure announcement and the subsequent show of support from the community, it looks like the arcade can continue to live on until at least next summer, Nikunen said.“I want to thank everyone who commented, shared, and told their stories about what Gizmo’s means to them,” Nikunen wrote on Facebook. “Your words have done more than just lift my spirits. They’ve helped open doors that I couldn’t open on my own.”Nikunen told The Astorian he’s particularly thankful for the film community in Astoria. They’ve been his biggest supporters over the years.“’The Goonies’ community, ‘Short Circuit’ and the new ‘(The) Cycle’ movie — the people who are fans of, and (who) are involved in those movies have really supported me and the vision of this place as a community hub for Astoria,” Nikunen said.With the right financial support and hopefully an eventual business partnership, Nikunen said he wants to do more to raise up Astoria as a pop culture hub. His vision includes bringing in visitors and tourists year-round, rather than just in the summer.“I’m taking things one month at a time. But for the first time in a while, there’s a real possibility of not just surviving, but eventually growing into something even better.” </div></body>

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Community outpouring of support keeps doors open for now. In a Nov. 2 Facebook post, owner Roger Nikunen announced that Gizmo’s Retrocade would be closing its doors on Nov. 15. Nikunen, aka “Retro Rog,” cited “financial setbacks, declining sales, costly repairs, operational challenges and ongoing problems in our downtown neighborhood” as key reasons behind his decision to close the arcade.

Astoria’s Gizmo’s Retrocade catches second wind

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Community outpouring of support keeps doors open for now. In a Nov. 2 Facebook post, owner Roger Nikunen announced that Gizmo’s Retrocade would be closing 

Astoria’s Gizmo’s Retrocade catches second wind

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