15-05-2025
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade under new ownership after 92 years
(MANITOU SPRINGS) — The historic Manitou Springs penny arcade is switching owners, with a local taking over the largest arcade west of the Mississippi.
In 1933, Jack Kerns launched Bingo Jacks as a gaming hall. After the Colorado Attorney General ruled that for-profit bingo games were gambling and illegal, the Kerns family moved to coin-operated arcade games and instant photo booths. Kerns later died in the 1970s, and his wife sold the Arcade to two of their sons.
Now, long-time Manitou Springs local John Weiss is taking over the historic arcade.
'I see myself more as the Arcade's caretaker than as its 'owner,'' Weiss added.
Weiss graduated from Colorado College and returned to Colorado Springs to launch Colorado Springs Independent, and later acquired the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Weiss won't be leading the arcade alone, as two Manitou locals, Maria and Alain Navaratne will also help Weiss and current General Manager 'AJ' lead the arcade team.
'If the weather is fine, more than 2,500 people will visit the Arcade over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend,' said Maria. 'We will be working to ensure that we are well prepared.'
General Manager AJ will continue to oversee day-to-day operations and the 30 full and part-time employees.
'After working at the Arcade for the past eight years, what I love the most about my job is helping people have a wonderful time when they are on their vacations,' she said.
The arcade's summer hours being Thursday, May 16, where the arcade will remain open seven days a week 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., or later depending on demand per the arcade's website.
The Manitou Springs Penny Arcade can be found at 930 Manitou Avenue.
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