Jerry Petrini built a family business out of arcade-style entertainment. When people told the lifelong Norwalk resident he was crazy for having faith in the business potential of a dying part of town, he made it his mission to prove them wrong.
One of the secrets to our success is we do give back to the community quite a bit. You have to, Petrini said while sitting at a table inside My Three Sons and Cathy's Castle. On the other side of the building, one of his sons and staff worked to reposition some of the games.
Petrini offers the location up regularly for charity events and fundraisers, allowing organizations to collect a door fee. He supports growth in the areas businesses by providing a destination for families. He even finds ways to credit customers for paying the parking fee in the garage behind his business.
Petrini has operated an arcade-style business in Norwalk since 1991, though originally in a smaller but more prime location. When he came into the business, the industry began to see the rise of the home video game console market. Arcades began to wither and die. Even New Yorks well-known Chinatown Fair Video Arcade closed its doors last December.
Petrini bucked the trend. His business continued to grow, causing him to turn his eye toward a larger space. People questioned his judgment for taking his business from a busy Main Avenue area to a retail devoid and commercially challenged Wall Street location. But Petrini had a plan.
I figured if I built a place that would be a destination location that you couldnt duplicate anywhere else, people would come. And we proved everyone wrong, Petrini said. He now owns the building My Three Sons is located in, and the area around him is growing as retail and restaurants begin to pop up.
Today Petrini offers food, ticket redemption games, laser tag and other activities in a multi-floor complex. His sons are involved in helping manage the business. The food service area, Cathys Castle, is named after his daughter. While arcades such as New Yorks Chinatown Fair Video Arcade are closing in droves, his business grows.
Aside from making My Three Sons something that couldnt be replicated, Petrini kept his business principles simple. We knew if we kept it new and, most importantly, clean and gave people value, they would come. And theyve never stopped, Petrini said.
Do you ever take your children to arcades and fun centers? Leave a comment below.
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