We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Our goal was never just to open another arcade, it was to create an experience that people couldn’t find anywhere else. I grew up loving arcades and video games, and I saw an opportunity to preserve that experience for a new generation while giving longtime players a place to relive those memories. In our hometown of Aiken, there wasn’t a lot of entertainment options so you had to drive to other bigger towns and cities around us. We thought it would be great to bring something very unique and fun to do to the town and community we love. So we did!

We wanted to build a business where families, friends, coworkers, and people of all ages could unplug from their phones for a few hours and genuinely spend time together. Pinball is unique because it’s interactive, social, and challenges you to improve every time you play and it cannot be replicated at home unless you have a large man cave with tons of pinball machines.

Starting my own business also gave me the opportunity to turn a lifelong passion into something that benefits our community. Today, Radioactive Pinball Arcade has grown into the largest pinball arcade in South Carolina, and seeing people smile, celebrate birthdays, host family gatherings, or discover pinball for the very first time reminds me why taking that leap was worth it.

Arcade with rows of colorful pinball machines and video game screens, dim lighting, and seating area, lively atmosphere.

What should our readers know about your business?
Radioactive Pinball Arcade was built on the idea that entertainment should bring people together. In a world where so much time is spent staring at phones and screens, we wanted to create a place where families, friends, coworkers, and even complete strangers could laugh, compete, and make memories together.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just an arcade—we’re an experience. We have grown into the largest pinball arcade in South Carolina, with more than 125 games spanning decades of arcade and pinball history. We operate on a simple all-day admission model, so once guests walk through the door, they can play as much as they want without worrying about feeding quarters into every machine. We welcome everyone, from someone playing pinball for the very first time to competitive tournament players.

Like most small businesses, getting here was anything but easy. There were plenty of long days, late nights, unexpected repairs, financial challenges, and moments where we wondered if we were making the right decision. Every pinball machine is a complex electromechanical device, and something is always breaking or needing attention. Running the business means wearing a lot of hats—owner, technician, marketer, accountant, event planner, stocker, cook and many times janitor—all in the same day.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that success doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from consistently showing up, listening to your customers, adapting, and always looking for ways to improve. We’ve learned that building relationships is just as important as maintaining the games. Our customers have become part of our extended family, and many of them have supported us since the day we opened.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the number of games we’ve collected or the milestones we’ve reached. It’s seeing grandparents introduce their grandchildren to the pinball machines they grew up playing, watching kids experience the excitement of pinball for the first time, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, hosting charity events, and creating a place where people genuinely enjoy spending time together. We are coming up on our third anniversary August 26th and we have seen the same kids have their birthday parties at Radioactive three years in a row and it has been amazing to see them change and grow up so fast. The saying “Time flies when you are having fun” surely does hold true.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about our brand, it’s that Radioactive Pinball Arcade was never built just to operate machines—it was built to preserve a piece of American entertainment history while creating new memories for future generations. Every game has a story, and every person who walks through our doors becomes part of ours. That’s what makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Row of pinball machines in a dimly lit arcade with colorful lights and a wall with photos and blackboards.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of the things I love most about Aiken is that it’s a city best experienced at a slower pace. If a friend was visiting for a week, I’d encourage them to spend as much time exploring our locally owned businesses as possible because that’s where Aiken’s personality really shines.

We’d start every morning downtown with breakfast and coffee before strolling Laurens Street to browse the unique shops and boutiques. One of my favorite things about downtown Aiken is that you can spend hours just walking from one locally owned business to another, discovering something new around every corner.

Lunch would be at places like Malia’s or Whiskey Alley, followed by more shopping and exploring the downtown district. If they enjoy cooking or unique gifts, we’d stop by High Country Olive Oil or browse stores like Plum Pudding Gourmet Kitchen Store and some of the many locally owned boutiques that make downtown so special.

No visit would be complete without spending an afternoon wandering through beautiful Hitchcock Woods or relaxing in Hopelands Gardens. Those two places perfectly capture the charm and beauty that make Aiken unique.

In the evenings, we’d enjoy dinner at one of Aiken’s outstanding restaurants, maybe The Wildemount, Park Avenue Oyster Bar & Grill, or The Willcox Restaurant before grabbing a locally crafted beer at Good Girl Brewing Co. or enjoying the atmosphere around The Alley, which is one of the best places in town to spend an evening.

And, of course, at some point during the week we’d spend an entire day at Radioactive Pinball Arcade. Whether you’ve never played pinball before or grew up in the arcades of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, there’s something special about seeing people of all ages laughing, competing, and making memories together. It’s exactly the kind of experience that fits the spirit of Aiken.

What makes Aiken special isn’t just one attraction—it’s the people. Our local business owners genuinely support one another, and that creates an atmosphere you can feel when you visit. Whether you’re shopping, dining, enjoying a local brewery, or spending the afternoon playing pinball, you’re experiencing a community that truly cares about preserving its small-town charm while continuing to grow.

Arcade with pinball machines and gaming screens, dimly lit with colorful lights, and a seating area in the background.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
No one builds a successful business alone, and there are several people who deserve a great deal of credit for helping make Radioactive Pinball Arcade what it is today.

First and foremost, my wife, Erin, has been my biggest partner in this journey. She brings years of business experience, while my background is in electromechanical repair and maintaining the games. Our skills complement each other perfectly. We make decisions together, and we’ve always had one simple rule: if we don’t both agree on something, then it doesn’t happen. That approach has helped us build a stronger business and avoid a lot of costly mistakes.

I’d also like to recognize Kelly Daniel, owner of The Pinball Palace in Brunswick, Georgia. Kelly has been an incredible mentor from the very beginning. He’s always willing to share his experience, offer honest advice, and help me think through the challenges of operating an arcade.

Mike Bost at Player 1UP in Rock Hill, South Carolina, was invaluable in helping me navigate the licensing, insurance, and operational side of opening an arcade. His willingness to answer questions and share what he had learned made the process much less overwhelming.

Mike Martin at the Upstate Pinball Museum in Simpsonville, South Carolina, has also been a tremendous resource. Whether it’s operations, maintenance, or general advice about running a successful arcade, he’s always been generous with his knowledge.

And finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Norm Nicholson with Carolina Pinballs. Norm has been an incredible supporter of both our business and the pinball community. He’s one of those people who is always willing to help, and I can’t thank him enough.

The pinball community is incredibly welcoming. While those are the people who had the biggest impact on our journey, there are countless others who have shared advice, encouragement, and support along the way. Radioactive Pinball Arcade wouldn’t be where it is today without all of them.

Website: https://radioactivepinballarcade.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radioactive_pinball_arcade/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadioactivePinballArcade

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/radioactive-pinball-arcade-aiken?osq=Radioactive+Pinball+Arcade

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RadioactivePinballArcade

Arcade with pinball machines and colorful video game screens, illuminated by bright lights, in a gaming center.

Arcade with pinball machines and people playing games, illuminated by bright lights, in a lively indoor setting.

Arcade with multiple pinball machines and colorful screens, seating area with yellow and blue stools, dim lighting.

Arcade with pinball machines, neon lights, and a large colorful dinosaur mural on the wall, with two people standing nearby.

Window with radioactivity symbol, text for radioactiv Pinball Arcade, and a menu board outside, with cars reflected in the glass.

Three arcade ticket redemption machines with colorful graphics and a sign that says 'TO WIN 500 TICKETS'.

Image Credits
Erin and Eric Edwards of Radioactive Pinball Arcade

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