347 Main Street, Fitchburg
LuAnn Thibodeau
Walking down Main Street in Fitchburg can feel a bit sad, when you see the signs of some of the stores from days gone by, like Shacks and others. And when you think about how it used to be a one-way street, that also brings up memories of the past.
But something new has arrived at 347 Main Street, and the one word to best describe it is nostalgia. Yes, it brings up memories of days gone by, but in a very fun and delightful way. The first thing you see is the neon sign, beaming in blue and purple, telling you the name of this new business- Power Surge Bar Arcade. And just below the name are some very familiar characters- the ghosts from Pac Man.
But that’s just the beginning. Once you walk through the door, the sights and sounds of the 80’s and 90’s grab you, as you enter a world filled with the arcade games from those times. In addition to Pac Man, there’s Guitar Hero, Asteroids, Neo Geo, Mario Brothers, and so much more. For those of us who are a little bit older (or for those who have never tried these but want to), Power Surge has pinball machines, complete with the flippers and the warning that you lost the game because of a tilt (if you’ve played pinball machines before, you know that feeling). There are also racing as well as drumming games, shooting games, and to go even further back in time, there is skee ball.
The décor wonderfully matches the game feel, with beautiful designs of some of the characters masterfully painted on the walls. There are also 3D characters such as Mario from Super Mario Brothers, and posters of movies from the 80’s and 90’s, all adding to the great atmosphere.
In addition to the above-mentioned games, there are a few machines with the claw that you have to try to control in order to snag a prize. And there is also the old-fashioned photo booth, complete with the same type of curtain as from days of the past.
As the name suggests, Power Surge Bar Arcade also offers adult beverages- many with some very creative names- such as Zelda’s Lullaby, Qui-Gon Gin and Tonic (served with an added touch glow stick), Darth Maultini, Kirby’s Dreamland, Bloody Tears, Donkey Kong, and Power Surge. There is also fantastic honey pizza on the food menu, offered as cheese, pepperoni, or bacon.
Power Surge recently had their grand opening on November 8th, and by all accounts, it was a great success. The reviews of opening night raved about the place- the sounds, the games, the food and the drinks.
Road construction has been ongoing on Main Street, but don’t let that deter you. The crews stop before Power Surge opens, and although parking on the street is not plentiful, there is a public parking lot just a stone’s throw up the road, on the other side of the street.
Power Surge is open Monday through Thursday from 5 pm to 1 am, Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am, and Sunday from 12 pm to 7 pm. Sunday is also family day, so bring the kids for a really fun time. On Friday and Saturday nights, there are DJ’s and live music, as well as karaoke on some of the nights. One price admission for all games (not including the prize games) is $7 Sunday through Thursday, and $10 on Friday and Saturday. And current Fitchburg State University students get $2 off the cover when they show a valid One Card at the door.
So, whether you’re a gamer from today, the 80’s and 90’s, or further back, Power Surge is the place for you. And if you are from the local area, seeing the pinball machines and skee ball may well invoke some very meaningful and memorable times at Whalom Park. Enjoy!
Stay tuned for many new and exciting things to come along- such as game tournaments and more. You can get current information by following Power Surge on their website at www. Powersurgebararcade.com, and on their Facebook and Instagram pages!