(From left) Owners Andrew Griimoiire and Dakotah Coates help run Wax Moon, DawnStar Video Games and Eclipse Pinball.
What began as a little collection of records in Andrew Griimoiire’s closet has now expanded into a mini media empire in Scott’s Addition: Wax Moon records, DawnStar Video Games and the newest addition, Eclipse Pinball.
The arcade, which holds over 45 unique pinball machines, opened July 4 at 1310 Altamont Ave. Players pay a flat fee of $15 for unlimited access to the machines, freeing patrons from coin jams and the need to hoard quarters.
The business venture was partially fueled by Griimoiire’s “addiction to buying pinball machines and the community’s addiction to enabling that addiction,” he says.
The trio of businesses began a decade ago, when Griimoiire opened Wax Moon Records in the same building just as Scott’s Addition was becoming a major residential and nightlife destination. Griimoiire often frequented record stores in the city but noticed a lack of such shops in the neighborhood.
As new construction projects rose in Scott’s Addition, Griimoiire remained adamant in his decision to stay in the district. “We wanted to stay here and grow with the neighborhood, and we’ve been fortunate to do so,” he says.
In 2019, Griimoiire expanded into secondhand games with a new shop, DawnStar Video Games, partnering with co-owners Dakotah Coates and Meaghan Riley. Specializing in trading card games and video games, the shop at 3007 W. Clay St. features an arcade in the back and hosts regular tournaments and gaming clubs.
DawnStar’s pinball machines were gaining popularity, Griimoiire says, just as Wax Moon was in search of more room for increased stock. In May, a large warehouse next door to DawnStar became available for rent, and Griimoiire saw an opportunity to expand again.
Eclipse Pinball, at 1310 Altamont Ave., features more than 45 pinball machines.
Earlier this year, Griimoiire relocated Wax Moon to the warehouse space on Clay Street and opened Eclipse Pinball in its previous location. He moved a handful of pinball machines to Eclipse from DawnStar, which now focuses on digital media and arcade games.
Eclipse has one of the largest public collections of pinball machines in the state, according to Griimoiire; it includes vintage and rare tables. “I don’t have any of them at home,” he says of the collection. “I like them in a public space where people can play them and enjoy them, seeing people’s smiles reflecting in that glass.”
Not long after the move and opening in July, Wax Moon and Eclipse started hosting live music, DJ events and gaming tournaments, including twice-monthly pinball tournaments centered around a league of players.
Wax Moon’s new space next door to DawnStar spans 4,000 square feet. The walls are lined with movies and DVDs, with rows of record shelves in the center. With the added space, Griimoiire plans to continue partnering with local businesses by hosting events at Wax Moon and Eclipse.
Griimoiire says he spent many of Wax Moon’s early years working a second full-time job and dedicating his free time to fostering the store’s growth, which makes the recent expansion more rewarding.
“It was a lot of years without seeing a dime, just putting everything back into the store, and even these days just trying to put as much back into the store to keep it growing,” Griimoiire says. “We do this because we love it, and we’re fortunate to make a living off of it.”
