By Holly Martin
Jilly’s Arcade in Ocean City is a family business that my family has been frequenting for years. From busy summer days to the cold afternoons in the winter, my parents would give me a roll of quarters and tell me to play the $0.25 pinball until my money was gone.
During my winter visit to Jilly’s I saw some new machines. These machines offered their new Fun Cards with reloading ability that also never expires. It reminded me of the Dave and Buster’s cards. At first I got scared, I mean, no more quarters?! Jody Levchuk, Director of Operations for Jilly’s Arcade, assured me there is no need to panic.
“It’s just an all around good technology,” says Levchuk. “There were a couple challenges with the future and video game playing and this is what we needed to close the gap between the people who want to play the game and new technology.” This new technology allows people to use cards or coins to play all the games at the arcade. In recent days, it seems more people are taking advantage of paying with cards and not carrying cash. Now you can play if you only have a debit or credit card.
I love Jilly’s for the pinball that costs me a quarter and the skee ball that only costs me a dime! Sometimes, I would only go in with the change from my car. Have no fear. I was assured “As long as the games have the capacity to accept money we will never take that away.”
This new technology of Fun Cards seems to just make sense for customers and the business. Levchuk says events are easier now after implementing Fun Cards. It makes events and parties more feasible. Customers can purchase game play online which is something they were never able to do before. Plus, the new technology offers them information on their business as well. “This gives us data on what games are getting played or when games are down,” he says. “I don’t think there’s ever a time when two or three games, tops, are out and that’s usually because there’s a part coming.”
Like many businesses in Ocean City, Jilly’s Arcade offers a phenomenal promotion during the winter holidays and Easter season called “Double the Fun” which allows you to spend $50 and receive $100 in credit.
“We always have promotions but they vary,” says Luvchuk. “There is always some kind of deal with the Fun Card.” My boyfriend was lucky enough to take advantage of the Double the Fun promotion. There are also promotions offered through their card dispensing machines. I go to Jilly’s a lot during the year, so I opted for the deal that allowed me to “Spend $30 and get $35.” If you don’t plan on being in Ocean City a lot or for a long time you can also opt for the unlimited play. You can pick an unlimited play plan that lets you pay one rate for 1 or 2 hours.
With the Fun Card, you are able to create an account and attach your information, so if you lose the card they are able to retrieve your funds. You can even take a picture of the back of your card where it displays the special number. Then, if there is credit available, Jilly’s can help you retrieve your credits and account.
The change is different, but the new technology comes with new experiences and opportunities. “We’re very traditional and it’s a big change for us.” Levchuk started, “But it’s not a change because we’re still doing what we’re doing. It’s an addition.” Hours of Operation vary as the seasons do, but they are open all year round. The only day the arcade is closed is Christmas Day. For more information about hours of operation or the Fun Cards you can visit their website at www.jillysocnj.com/
Holly Martin has been working in media since 2012. She has worked as a photographer and videographer throughout her high school and college career. Holly is a producer for WOND radio as well as fill in DJ for 103.7 WMGM Rocks. She loves being a concert photographer and working as event staff. She has worked as a reporter for Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods and submitted Editorials to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has done multiple multimedia articles for Temple as well as Shore Local Newsmagazine. Her portfolio website is hollyamartin.com
