Sneak peek: An inside look at the new Chuck E. Cheese in Port Orange

Clayton Park, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read

PORT ORANGE ― A spokeswoman for Chuck E. Cheese has provided new details on the chain's new standalone restaurant/family fun arcade about to begin construction at The Pavilion at Port Orange.

City officials say the new restaurant/arcade at 5539 S. Williamson Blvd. is expected to open by year's end.

"I am delighted to share that the new location will feature a lot of NEW and great features for kids and the whole family," wrote Alejandra Brady in an email on Friday to The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Brady is head of communications for CEC Entertainment, the Irving, Texas-based parent company for Chuck E. Cheese.

Brady also confirmed that the hope is for the new restaurant/arcade to open "by end of (the) calendar year."

Brady provided images of what the inside of the new Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Port Orange will look like.

This is an image of a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant/family fun arcade similar to what the chain will be building at The Pavilion at Port Orange shopping Center in Port Orange. The target opening date is fourth quarter 2024. The new store, at 5539 S. Williamson Blvd., will replace one that was torn down in 2022 after it was badly damaged during Hurricane Ian.

What will the new restaurant offer?

"The new location," Brady wrote, "will offer new games, a Chuck E. Cheese Trampoline Zone, active play areas ― more details to come, and the newest entertainment package we offer which is a giant floor-to-ceiling video wall and interactive dance floor, TVs, and more games."

This is an image of a Chuck E. Cheese trampoline zone similar to what will be featured in the chain's new store set to be built at The Pavilion at Port Orange shopping center in Port Orange, Florida. The store's target opening date is fourth quarter 2024. The photo was provided by CEC Entertainment, the Irving, Texas-based parent company for Chuck E. Cheese.

How many people will it employ?

"Regarding jobs, we will be hiring between 5-6 managers, and 25-30 cast members to serve the community at this location," said Brady.

Why are they building a new one?

CEC Entertainment is building a new 13,633-square-foot Chuck E. Cheese restaurant/arcade at The Pavilion to replace a slightly smaller one there that was torn down in 2022 after being badly damaged during Hurricane Ian.

The anticipated cost to construct the new building is $2 million, according to the building permit issued by the city.

This is the vacant lot, pictured on Monday, April 15, 2024, where a Chuck E. Cheese pizza restaurant/family fun arcade was torn down at The Pavilion at Port Orange following Hurricane Ian in 2022. Construction is slated to begin soon on a new slightly bigger location for the chain that is expected to open by the end of 2024, according to officials with the City of Port Orange.

When did the original one open?

The original Chuck E. Cheese at The Pavilion opened in December 2013.

Where is The Pavilion?

The Pavilion at Port Orange is an open-air lifestyle shopping center that opened in March 2010 at 5501 S. Williamson Blvd., near Interstate 95 Exit 256. The center is just north of Taylor Road, along the west side of I-95.

The Port Orange Chuck E. Cheese will be on the southeast corner of the intersection of Williamson and Summer Trees Road, across from where land was recently cleared for a new ALDI discount grocery store.

Who owns the property?

The Pavilion is owned by CBL & Associates Properties, the same Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company that owns Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach.

CEC Entertainment has a long-term lease with CBL for the lot where the new Chuck E. Cheese is set to be built.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Chain offers sneak peek at new Chuck E. Cheese coming to Port Orange