Arcadebarn...the final chapter

[river9999uk]

Well the time has come to close the 'barn. I've been arcade collecting since 1996 and had a load of fun and met loads of great people.

With my console collecting and PC gaming taking my funds and wanting to pay the mortgage off in the next few years I can't afford to do it all and sadly the arcade games have been getting the least attention. I'll be moving on the remaining cabs I have (a few have been ear marked for years! Wink) soon....

I'll still be on the forums and goto the retro events etc but no more buying cabs LOL

Thanks to you all for making it such a great hobby!

 

[Alpha1]

Shaun you are a star and the arcade barn was an inspirational project for many.
Alpha12014-08-18 12:19:18

 

[muddymusic]

My first real introduction to this hobby was a visit to the Arcade Barn on a cold and rainy Friday night, I stayed all night and then was pretty much there every weekend after that! I always felt welcome and was always amazed at the awesome collection of cabs there.

There's no chance I'd know half the stuff I know now if I hadn't been given all the arcade tech lessons by Shaun & Aran, and I was also introduced to games I'd never seen before and which now sit in my own collection.

Thank you for keeping it going as long as you did Shaun, I always appreciated every visit I made and am grateful for all the time & money you put in to keep it going so people like me could enjoy your collection.

 

[RGP]

Shaun, the barn was inspirational, I still remember the weekend spent there in October 2011 and us talking in the hallway.

Until then I had only seen videos of funspot so to find a place in the UK, albeit a 6 hour trek was a huge thumbs up that the UK could do something too.

The barn still gets talked about by friends who visit me and between myself and Andy we've ended up with a few of the machines - some still with high scores on them from those days - without realising as they'd passed through someone else first.

Comments are always made that "ooh, that was the barn's wasn't it?" and it brings a smile to see people remember it.

I hope the machines you have left will go to fine homes where they will be loved as much as you have and that one day you'll make the reverse of the 6 hour trek to come and see us where you'll be made to feel as welcome as I was in Exeter.

 

[Jodo]

I'm always sad when this happens and a man and his collection are parted. I never had the pleasure of attending the Barn but know Shaun through a friend of mine at work; they were always talking about this amazing guy who had this collection of arcade machines that was open to the public. I never made the connection until a good few months later when I realised Shaun was a forum member. Since then I've had the pleasure of a good few deals with Shaun and always found him to be a friendly approachable bloke and never had any issues. Top man

 

[tb lilley]

I remember some guy appearing on the forums years ago with a few random cabs to sell -"I'll take the big black long one" says you. What a turn up that cab was. Maybe try keeping hold of the FF? Enjoyed a few days at the Barn, so cheers for that.

 

[river9999uk]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Paying for space to keep the cabs is always a prob and also means that I don't get to see or play them as much which is yet another prob not living nearby. DOubt I'll keep and cabs but you never know....

 

[virtvic]

Aw. What a shame, but we understand. Hope we will still see you at shows and get togethers. You're always welcome at my mini 'barn'

I'll just go and visit you anyway. I'LL FIND YOU

 

[river9999uk]

I'll just go and visit you anyway. I'LL FIND YOU

 

[philmurr]

I didn't get to visit the barn but saw the photos and it looked incredible.

Well done for holding the charity events too

 

[Nintendo Arcade]

I first saw the advert for this event in retro gamer and never forget my first visit.
Met some really good friends there and played some awesome games
And brought some bad lol (fast Freddie)
Such a shame your selling up mate but hope to see you at future events and always welcome at mine
Good luck Chuckie egg2014-08-18 14:44:15

 

[Alpha1]

WTF. Fast Freddie is awesome.

 

[Bensonrad]

The barn(s) brought many happy times for all, I was lucky enough to visit each one once, the first time was a fix it day and I came along with my newbie hat, I may not have fixed anything but did get a good clean shine with the cab cleaner, haha.

Thanks for the memories

 

[bomjac]

Shame mate, but sometimes you have to prioritise the things you are doing with your life and finiances.

How many PM's have you had so far is what I want to know ?

 

[river9999uk]

As it is today....

http://youtu.be/X2wNqjuw9WUriver9999uk2014-08-18 15:54:28

 

[Alpha1]

[tube]X2wNqjuw9WU[/tube]

 

[Danscu]

Sorry to hear this Shaun, like others have said you have been inspirational to many collectors and I count myself lucky to have been able to visit the barn and also buy a couple of great cabs from you

 

[Morty]

A great shame but you achieved more than most ever will, the barn was amazing, a huge investment of time and money

Hopefully you will have loads of enjoyment from the retro consoles etc.. and one day when the mortgage is paid off and you have some spare cash you will be thinking, I know i'll just buy one cab.. and then its round two