EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a weekly series on our region’s history coordinated by the Trumbull County Historical Society.
If you drive down North State Street in Girard, you might not expect to stumble upon one of the largest and most unique arcades in the region.
But tucked inside a former supermarket sits Past Times Arcade — a place that feels like a time machine powered by flashing lights, ringing bells and pure nostalgia. Since opening in June 2023, it has quickly become a favorite destination for families, gamers and anyone who appreciates the charm of old-school fun.
The story of Past Times Arcade begins long before the building was ever renovated. It starts with its founder, Rob Berk, a lifelong pinball enthusiast who discovered his passion as a child.
Like many kids of his generation, he grew up fascinated by the sounds and lights of the local arcade. In his case, it all started with a single machine — a pinball game called Baby Face, owned by his family. That early experience sparked something that never faded.
Over the next five decades, Berk built one of the most impressive private collections of pinball and arcade machines in the country. What began with a single machine eventually grew into more than a thousand.
He spent years searching, restoring and preserving games from every era — mechanical pinball tables, early video cabinets, rare prototypes and classics that nearly every arcade-goer remembers. But as his collection grew, so did the realization that these machines were too special to stay hidden.
That’s when the idea for Past Times Arcade came to life.
Berk purchased the former grocery store in Girard and envisioned a space where his collection could be shared with the public. The transformation didn’t happen overnight; the building required extensive work.
For months he and his team repaired machines, updated wiring, restored cabinets, cleaned decades-old parts, and carefully designed the layout. The goal wasn’t just to create an arcade — it was to build an experience. When the doors opened in 2023, visitors were greeted with something extraordinary.
Past Times Arcade features hundreds of functioning games, often as many as 600 at a time, carefully arranged across the spacious floor. The mix is eclectic and charming: pinball machines with gleaming chrome rails, classic cabinets with CRT screens, early mechanical games with gears and wooden frames, and modern favorites sprinkled in for good measure. Every machine is set to “free play,” so after paying the flat admission fee — $20 for adults and $10 for children — guests can enjoy unlimited play for the entire day.
But Past Times isn’t just about playing games. It’s about the energy and sense of community that fills the space. Unlike modern arcades dominated by ticket machines and flashing redemption centers, this place feels genuine. People come to connect — whether that’s parents showing their children the games they grew up with, groups of friends competing for bragging rights, or pinball enthusiasts testing their skills on restored classics.
The concession area adds to the charm, offering old-fashioned snacks, candy, milkshakes, and seasonal treats that fit the nostalgic atmosphere perfectly. On weekends, local food trucks often line up outside, turning the arcade into a lively social hub.
Past Times also hosts events throughout the year, including pinball leagues, tournaments and themed nights that bring players from across the region.
For Girard, the arcade has become more than just a business. It’s a bright spot in the community, a place where locals and visitors alike gather to unwind, laugh and share experiences.
And for Rob Berk, it represents the fulfillment of a lifelong passion — proof that even in a digital age, the magic of pinball and arcade games remains timeless. Whether you’re a die-hard gamer, a nostalgia lover, or just someone looking for a fun and welcoming place to spend an afternoon, Past Times Arcade is well worth the visit.
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