Vintage Vault Arcade is a hidden gem leveling up Mukwonago's video game scene

 

MUKWONAGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- When you drive by the 700 block of Main St. in Mukwonago, it's easy to see Kay's Academy of Dance standing out in a dark brown and brick building.

But if you take a chance and head around the back, you'll find what some easily refer to as Mukwonago's most hidden gem.

The room on the building's lower level isn't filled with dance studios -- rather, it's packed with arcade games. Nearly 130 of them.

“You could play at your house but if you want the real authentic experience, you’re going to come to Vintage Vault Arcade," Owner James Srnec told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White.

According to Srnec, it's the only one in the state owned by one person who also owns 100% of the machines that are in operation.

“You don’t realize how much work it is until you see people that know about it really in awe," Srnec said.

The video-game fanatic said he's played his whole life.

But even then, how does one even end up with hundreds of arcade games worth several hundred thousand dollars in his arsenal?

It all started back in 2013, when Srnec was better known as "DJ JSlay."

He had spent years performing at Milwaukee's The Rave Ballroom, opening for big musicians like Kesha, Skrillex, Tiesto, Steve Aoki, and more.

"2009 to 2012 or 2013, those are my years that I did that," Srnec recalled. "Anywhere from 6,000 to 7,000 people in the crowd."

After deciding to end that part of his career, Srnec said he had a large amount of savings in his bank account.

So, he turned to his second passion and began collecting.

“Deep down always there was something in the back of my mind that I wanted to open my own arcade," Srnec said. "Before I knew it, I’d filled the entire house, both levels, there was about 22 games in there."

His first? Ms. Pac-Man. And soon enough, entire storage units were packed with his finds.

That's when Srnec knew he had to expand.

Nearly a decade later, he opened the arcade in January 2023.

“That’s the one thing I pride myself with is that I own everything, I operate everything, I fix everything," Srnec said. "Just pure joy."

Games are lined up and down the walls for people of all ages to enjoy.

Of course, there are the classics like pinball, NBA Jam, Galaga, and Frogger -- but Srnec also boasts a unique variety of rare games as well.

Those include Rampage, signed by the original creator, a Donkey Kong with signatures from several world champions, and a Contra Evolution of which only 50 were ever made.

“You’re not just an arcade collector, you’re a historian, a preservationist, an electrician," Srnec said. "It's more of a museum."

Another feature that levels up the arcade?

You don't have to come in with rolls of quarters. Instead, it's a $20-dollar flat fee.

"This is a free-play arcade," Srnec said. "We encourage you to play other things you’ve never played before because you’re not putting a quarter into it, you’ve already paid it.”

The pros of this? Being able to try as many games as you want -- or continue to replay your favorites.

“I can guarantee a lot of the kids have never seen some of this stuff so when they start to play it, they’re like this is some of the best games ever and to hear that from a 40-to-50-year-old video game, it shows that it’s just like the Beatles, it holds its value," Srnec said.

And he hasn't taken "a dime" from the business. Srnec said all proceeds go back into supporting the arcade.

"This is for the people. I’m trying to make it bigger; I’m trying to make it something that puts Mukwonago on the map for arcade gaming," Srnec said. "I really am appreciative of everyone that comes through and checks it out. That’s all that we hope is that you at least come and relive those experiences or just come check it out and feel something that you’ve never experienced before.”

Vintage Vault Arcade is located at 715 Main St. Ste 200 and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 10 p.m.