Northridge, CA (8425 Reseda Blvd), Store #451, is a Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre that opened in September 1981 with the Balcony Stage, and is still open to this day.
The location was originally deemed as the one and only legacy store, with plans for it to be a permanent home for its 2-Stage and "all legacy Chuck E. Cheese nostalgia". The location was also originally going to be the one and only permanent home of CEC animatronics.
However, in March 2024 CEC went back on that claim by creating a future planning survey. This would lead to 4 other stages to be kept as "legacy" stores as stated by the company. Out of the 4 stages saved, 3 of them were Munch's Make Believe Band stages and 1 was a Studio C stage, bringing the total legacy stores to 5.
History[]
1981-1992[]
The Northridge location opened in September 1981 as a Pizza Time Theatre with a Balcony Stage. The lounge and cabaret acts they would receive would be The King and Dolli Dimples. They would open with Harmony Howlette as their guest star, but would later replace her for Helen Henny. Between 1989-1990, they would receive the SPT 1988 Remodel Program, which removed the remains of Pizza Time Theatre. This remodel would also install their C-Stage.
1993-2023[]
In 1993, Northridge would receive the SPT 1992 Remodel Program which would renovate the restaurant by installing the shelves, balcony, records, and more. Around this time they would remove the C-Stage for the 2-Stage. The store would remain untouched with only minor changes such as receiving carpet from the CEC 2010 Update Program, and installing a Salad Bar poster from the CEC 2005 Remodel Program.
2.0 Remodel[]
On July 25, 2023, Northridge would start its 2.0 Remodel. It was originally intended to become a standard 2.0 according to blueprints, but at last minute plans changed, causing Northridge to become the first Chuck E. Cheese Legacy Location. Although originally planned to keep more of their 90s artwork, due to lack of discussion between CEC Entertainment, LLC & the supervisor of the remodel these plans were dropped and all old artwork was either destroyed, painted over, or sent to the Showbiz Pizza Time Distribution Center in Topeka, Kansas. Currently all that remains from the 1993 remodel are the 2-Stage and the Shelves, which had the Chuck E. Cheese statues removed a few days prior to opening.
CEC would announce in October 2023 that Northridge would now be the only Munch's Make Believe Band Residency. However in March 2024, CEC went back on both of those claims by creating a future planning survey, which would lead to more locations becoming MMBB residencies.
To celebrate the grand re-opening of the first Munch's Make Believe Band Residency location, the 2023 Northridge Grand Reopening Party would be held on November 10th. Nolan Bushnell and David McKillips would attend the event to very light news coverage and guests hitting the maximum capacity of the store.
Stages[]
Originally when the store opened in 1981, they had a Balcony Stage like most Pizza Time Theatres that opened around that time. They would have their Balcony Stage for several years, until around 1989-1990, when they would convert it to the C-Stage. They would only have the C-Stage for a very short time, as in 1993 they would convert it to a 2-Stage. The only major cosmetic changes prior to 2011 was the replacement of Chuck's tuxedo outfit with the Cool Chuck outfit sometime in the early to mid-2000s.
In 2011, the Lancaster, CA (44650 Valley Central Way) location would relocate while not reusing their cyberamic stage at the new location. Northridge would be sent all of their cyberamic animatronics to replace their original 1981 PTT Cyberamics. They now have 1990s Cyberamics, which are much sturdier than the originals, and have cosmetics in much better shape.
In July 2023 Northridge started to receive the 2.0 remodel. However, despite Northridge getting the 2.0 remodel, the stage's TV would be replaced, and the stage was to be kept as the "permanent home of the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic gang". This would change in May 2024 when CEC would announce 4 other locations would be keeping their animatronics as well.
After it was confirmed that Northridge was keeping their 2-Stage, Chuck E.'s Cool Chuck outfit would be replaced with the Rockstar outfit on October 26th the same year, followed by the stage receiving lift curtains from the Huntington Beach location on November 5th.
| Stage | Installed | Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony Stage | September 1981 | 1989-1990 |
| Chuck E.'s House Facade | 1989-1990 | 1993 |
| 2-Stage | 1993 | Still in Use |
| Chuck E. Live Stage (2021 Model) | August 2023 | Still in Use |
| Video Wall | September 2023 | Still in Use |
Animatronics[]
| Animatronic | Manufacturing Date | Whereabouts |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Destroyed / Replaced with Lancaster, CA’s. |
| Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Destroyed / Replaced with Lancaster, CA’s. |
| Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Destroyed / Replaced with Lancaster, CA’s. |
| Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Destroyed / Replaced with Lancaster, CA’s. |
| Pasqually (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Destroyed / Replaced with Lancaster, CA’s. |
| Warblettes (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Unknown. |
| Waving Flags (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Unknown. |
| Applause Board (Cyberamic) | 1981 | Unknown. |
| Drum Board (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Unknown. |
| Singing Flowers (Cyberamic) | Unknown | Unknown. |
| Dolli Dimples (Cabaret) | 1981 | Unknown. |
| The King / King Kat (Lounge) | 1981 | Unknown. |
| Chuck E. Cheese (Cyberamic) | 1992 | In store. Originally from Lancaster, CA. |
| Guest Star / Helen Henny (Cyberamic) | 1992 | In store. Originally from Lancaster, CA. |
| Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) | 1992 | In store. Originally from Lancaster, CA. |
| Jasper T. Jowls (Cyberamic) | 1992 | In store. Originally from Lancaster, CA. Currently wearing West Hills's mask. |
| Pasqually (Cyberamic) | 1992 | In store. Originally from Lancaster, CA. |
| Wink (Cyberamic) | 1992/1993 | In store. |
Arcade Machines[]
Skill[]
- Pop It for Gold
- Tight Rope
- Centipede Chaos
- Big Win Super Spin
- Big Bass Wheel Pro
- Pop the Lock
- Deadstorm Pirates
- Harpoon Lagoon
- Golden Empire
- Black Hole
- Space Invaders Frenzy
- Redhot
- Teeter Totter Castle
- Birthday Party
- Choppy Wood
- NBA Game Time
- Angry Birds Arcade
- Alley Roller Classic (4 units)
- 2 Minute Drill
- Circus Ball Drop
- Jurassic Park Arcade
- Jurassic World
- Full Tilt
- Nitro Trucks (2 units)
- Transformers Human Alliance
- Fishbowl Frenzy
- Rescue Hero
- Halo Fireteam Raven (2-player)
- Trolls
- Stack-It
- Lumber Jack
- Pink Panther Jewel Heist
- Sonic Blast Ball
- Chuck E.'s Fun Photos Photo Booth
- Galaga Assault
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2017)
- Crossy Road
- Super Star
- Fruit Ninja FX
- Chuck E. Cheese's Sketch Book
- Mario & Sonic Olympic Games Tokyo
Coin-Action[]
- Spongebob Pineapple Arcade
- Avengers
Kiddie[]
- Arka Jungle Boat
- Chameleon Paradize
- Minion Whacker
- Chuck E. Cheese's Color Photo Ride (Rockstar, 2019)
- High Five!
- Blue Camper Van
- Mystery Machine
- Octonauts (Barnacles)
- Spongebob Super Striker
- NBA Hoop Troop Jr.
- Ducky Splash
- PJ Masks Cat Car
- Cheeky Monkey Football
Videos[]
| Link | Description | Filming Date |
|---|---|---|
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eDKbhJnfEw | Footage of Gameroom and Showroom. Only a single shot shows the stage. | 1988 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV2Q8Yzb6Lo&t=1528s | Footage of the July 1993 Show alongside some rides. | Summer 1993 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-RSyx_8ZNY | Footage of northridge ca playing the april 1994 show and showing off some of the store and the animatronics at the time. Footage starts at 15:19. | 1994 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaH-7N7iRjI | Footage of the store featured on Made; this features a small clip of the show's Jasper animatronic performing Ace in The Hole from the January 2001 Show. | 2001 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRlmzWHePpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FF13OHUJh0 | Footage of northridge in late 2009, with their original bots. | Late 2009 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkD1_amzkrU | Footage of a birthday party showcasing the stage | January 5, 2014 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crITWXJYIaA | Store tour before the 2.0 Remodel. | June 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsCD9c1M-tU | Store tour before the 2.0 Remodel. | July 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCoODhl6mBQ | Store tour during the 2.0 Remodel. | August 1, 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCoODhl6mBQ | exterior during the 2.0 remodel. | August 13, 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW58Ot5lkUA | Store tour during the 2.0 Remodel. | August 18, 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0_YhrBEabQ | Official CEC Live announcement of the store's grand-reopening and its place as the Munch's Make Believe Band Residency. | October, 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIm00rXKVGw | Footage of the animatronics playing Let's Have A Party before the Reopening Party. | November 9, 2023 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCKVXwsfUo | First working showcase of the curtains in a test 1 hour before the Northridge Reopening Party | November 10, 2023 |
Trivia[]
- Northridge is the only Legacy location to be on the West Coast.
