A trio of Houston hospitality experts is hoping their new concept going into the old MoCo Food Hall will be a game changer for downtown Conroe.
After opening in August 2022, MoCo Food Hall featuring a variety of smaller food vendors inside one structure, closed in mid-July. In its spot at 109 Metcalf Street, Guy Nunn, Carlos de la Haba and Andrew Adams are opening the area’s first “barcade” — part bar, part arcade.
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James Cole, former executive chef at Fleming’s and executive chef at Del Friscos, will be serving up Americana food with a focus on hand-held favorites.
Mixing food and games
With “A Game Changer,” they are hoping to create an experience fusing their passion for food and drink with the nostalgia of video games both from their youth and with today’s modern technology.
They hope to open around Black Friday and are currently in the process of revamping the space. At 8 p.m. the spot will become 21 and older only. It will be $10 to access the game floor.
According to building owner Janese Sokulski, the structure has been a part of Sparkle Ice House, a glass factory and storage site for money and gold coming off of trains that stopped on the nearby tracks in early Conroe.
The building went through major renovations in 2021 and 2022 to make the historic building a usable, modern space.
For Adams, 56, and his business partners, the unique spot in downtown checked a lot of boxes that they were seeking.
“We have watched these things (the ‘barcade’) evolve around the nation,” Adams said. “There’s a renewed enthusiasm around people enjoying pinball and the classic arcade games.”
Adams met de la Haba several years ago when they were a part of the restaurant Hungry Like The Wolf, an 80s diner in Houston. Adams and Nunn go back 20 years to their time at the Warwick Hotel in Houston.
After spending decades in Houston, they want to expand their talents on the northern side of the city.
“You see the burgeoning expansion (in this area) and it would behoove you to acknowledge it and try to contribute to it,” he said. “This is something different and different is good. It just checks another box for a reason to come to downtown Conroe.”
Adams’ first wine bar was The Corkscrew on Washington Avenue in Houston.
“Back then, we were the first bar on the street and there was no one else,” he said. “Then Washington Avenue became a thing.”
Downtown revitalization
In recent years, the downtown Conroe district too has experienced a revitalization with new bars, breweries, wineries, restaurants and venues opening around the historic Crighton Theatre and nearby Owen Theatre.
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“Classic arcades were the go-to spot for many during the 80s until the advancement of home video games became more comfortable,” said Andrew Yousse, public information office for Conroe. “The nostalgia of a classic arcade paired with amenities to generate social gatherings provides an excellent entertainment experience for our community. A Game Changer could be one of the more popular destinations in downtown Conroe.”
Many of the similar features of the food hall will be present at “A Game Changer.”
Guests will find a two-story patio bar at the front of the building. Another bar area will be to the right of the entrance. Miracle City Bakery at the right of the entrance, just beyond the bar will offer coffee and breakfast items in the morning hours.
The game floor will feature 40 arcade games. Some are vintage like “Donkey Kong,” “Millipede,” “Space Duel” and others.
Adams said these are the actual games from 40 years ago inside and out gathered from collectors and auctions across the country. There will also be more modern favorites like air hockey and the popular dance challenge machines.
A long bar on the east side of the building will feature a dressier, upscale experience with de la Haba at the helm of cocktail creations.
On the second floor, meeting space is available and Adams — a sommelier — will give wine classes. A full kitchen is at the back with seating near the back of the building.
“James is hard core. The level of the Americana food that we will be providing will be taken up quite a bit. Not just the next level, the next three levels. We’re very fortunate to have him,” he said.
See the A Game Changer website for more.
