New Yuma businesses focus on video games, plus more
Red Moon and 1up Gaming Lounge now open
The Yuma gaming community recently got a boost with two new businesses.
For those who grew up playing arcade video games, the Red Moon Restaurant, Ale House
and Arcade, 130 S. Main St., will take them back to the days when they battled the bad guys on arcade machines.
Red Moon is now open, and it’s the perfect place to go down memory lane or introduce younger generations to the world of arcade video games.
With several years of management under their belts, Ramiro Marquez Jr. and Colleen Davis decided
to strike out on their own with this independent venture. The 13,000-squarefoot building, located across the street from the Regency Main Street Cinemas, is owned by the Quechan Indian Tribe, and Marquez, a Yuma native, is part Quechan.
The tribe made extensive renovations so Marquez and Davis could open Red Moon, which is unique to Yuma. It has a diverse selection of games, from classic and fighter to shooter and pinball, with more coming soon.
“We wanted to contribute to the gaming community,” Marquez said. “It’s a really fun atmosphere for everybody, for adults and kids.”
A lounge area is reminiscent of a coffee shop where customers can sit around, enjoy a cup of Spirit Mountain Coffee, a tribal-owned brand, and play board games.
The bar area is for adults only, but the restaurant and gaming areas are open to all ages. The octagon bar is surrounded by big-screen televisions and action figures, with every other TV equipped
with a gaming console.
An area pays homage to the Golden Cue Arcade, which recently closed down after a long history in Yuma. “They gave us 42 years of service and we wanted to show our respect,” Marquez said, noting that Red Moon has some games from the Golden Cue.
In addition, gamethemed paintings by local artists can be found on the walls.
The menu includes standards like hamburgers and pizza, but Marquez and Davis also threw in a few personal favorites such as the jalapeno popper grilled cheese, sloppy joe grilled cheese, Yuma cheese steak and chicken cordon bleu.
The kids menu also has unique items such as the PBJ&M grilled sandwich — the M is for marshmallows. So far it’s been a hit with kids!
Marquez said they are not apprehensive about opening in the summertime because they’re confident that the yearround locals will sustain the business.
“This is the beginning,” he said. “It’s been a long road, and we’re happy to give Yuma an experience they can enjoy.”
Red Moon will eventually open the banquet room to private events and parties, with gaming packages available. Keep an eye out for promotions; specials will begin Monday.
Summer hours are 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. every day. Later it might open for breakfast. To reach Red Moon, call 928-276-9111. *** A gaming recreation center with a more modern slant is the 1up Gaming Lounge, which opened in May at 2910 S. Avenue B, Suite B.
Giving back to the community, especially youth, was on the mind of Jesus Mendivil, who also owns Yuma’s Tech Monkeys, 1701 S. Avenue B.
He noted that video gamers today usually play alone. The Game Lounge gives them the opportunity to get out of the house and be with others.
“It’s a good social environment,” Mendivil said. “It’s a fun, friendly, clean environment.”
It’s inexpensive fun for all ages, and it brings people from separate gaming worlds together, people who otherwise might never meet each other, he added. Gamers can bring their own consoles or play on the pre-installed games. Tournaments are also held, with Smash Bros. Ultimate every other Wednesday and Fortnite on Fridays and Saturdays. Tournaments for other games will soon be set up as well.
The Gaming Lounge also hosts birthdays and parties; people can bring their own food. Snacks are sold on site.
It offers day passes and monthly memberships for individuals and families, from $20 a month for one person to $100 a month for a family of three, with options for more people.
It’s open from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 928-955-0126. *** In case you missed the news, let me review a few things coming to Yuma. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a new convenience store, gasoline station and fast food restaurant off of Interstate 8, at the southwest corner of 24th Street and Avenue 3E.
P.R. Normandale Hotels LLC wants to build a 3,800-square-foot market featuring six motor fuel dispenser islands with lanes on each side and a 2,500-square-foot fast food restaurant with a drivethru.
The developer is currently building a Four Points by Sheraton next to the Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suites. The target date to open the new hotel is May.
The commission also approved permits for a drive-thru lane at Mr. G’s Restaurant, 501 S. 4th Ave., which will be expanded to the south. The drive-thru lane will be in the rear of the building parallel to the alley.
The panel also OK’d a permit for a drive-thru car wash as part of an expansion of the existing Magic Mist Car Wash, located at 133 W. 24th St. and 2430 S. 1st Ave. The property owner intends to build four self-serve car wash bays, a new automatic car wash bay, along with a shaded area with self-serve vacuums.
The south part of the property is the site of the former Kelland’s Kiddie College while the northern part of the property is currently undeveloped.
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And that’s it for now! If you know of a new business that has or will be opening, relocating or closing, please let me know at mknaub@yumasun.com.
I get a lot of messages asking questions, which I welcome, but I can’t personally answer every question. If I find the answer, I will answer it in the column. I appreciate the readers who always act as my eyes and ears. Thank you!