Chuck E. Cheese: Maine's Family Fun Destination?

Chuck E. Cheese is a well-known children's entertainment centre and pizza restaurant with locations across the United States. With its unique combination of pizza, games, and animatronics, it has become a beloved destination for kids' birthday parties and family outings. However, the existence of a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Maine has been a topic of debate among residents, with some claiming that there was one in Brewer, while others refute this claim. In 2012, it was reported that Maine's only Chuck E. Cheese location in South Portland was closing due to lease issues, leaving residents wondering if there would be any locations left in the state.

Chuck E. Cheese in Brewer?

There is some discrepancy over whether there was ever a Chuck E. Cheese in Brewer, Maine. One person claims to remember it being located on N. Main St. in the same spot as the Paradise Shop n Save, but others disagree. Some say there was never a Chuck E. Cheese in Brewer, while another suggests it was an arcade but not Chuck E. Cheese.

It seems that, at the very least, there was a Chuck E. Cheese in South Portland, Maine, which was the state's only location. However, this location closed in December 2024 due to lease agreement issues. The parent company, CEC Entertainment Inc., has expressed intentions to find new venues in Maine, but it is unclear if and when this will happen.

As of now, the closest locations to Maine residents are in New Hampshire (2 units) and Massachusetts (2 units). While Mainers wait for the potential arrival of new Chuck E. Cheese locations, they can try recreating the experience at home with the brand's recently released cookbook, featuring 128 pages of recipes.

Maine's only Chuck E. Cheese closed in 2012

On December 12, 2012, Maine's only Chuck E. Cheese's location closed its doors. The restaurant, located on Philbrook Avenue in South Portland, was unable to renew its lease, leaving the state without a Chuck E. Cheese's presence. This closure sparked discussions among residents, with some expressing disappointment and nostalgia for the children's entertainment and pizza parlor.

The closure of the South Portland location meant that Maine residents would now have to travel out of state to visit the nearest Chuck E. Cheese's. The closest locations were in the neighbouring states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, each having two units. This presented a challenge for families in Maine who enjoyed the unique experience offered by Chuck E. Cheese's, with its combination of pizza, games, and animatronics.

While there were debates among residents about the existence of another Chuck E. Cheese's location in Brewer, these were largely unverified memories from childhood. Some residents recalled the location being a similar entertainment centre called Tiny Tim's before it became Maine Military. However, no concrete evidence emerged to support the claim of a second Chuck E. Cheese's location in Maine other than the one in South Portland that closed in 2012.

The parent company of Chuck E. Cheese's, CEC Entertainment Inc., expressed intentions to find new venues in Maine at the time of the South Portland location's closure. However, as of 2024, there are still no Chuck E. Cheese's locations within the state of Maine, leaving residents hoping for a return of the beloved entertainment and dining destination.

A Chuck E. Cheese cookbook was released in 2024

Chuck E. Cheese's only location in Maine closed in 2024, but fans of the restaurant chain were offered a consolation prize in the form of a cookbook released in the same year.

The Chuck E. Cheese and Friends Party Cookbook was published on 19 March 2024. It features 128 pages of recipes and 10 party-themed menus, including Chuck E.’s Game Night party, Jasper T. Jowls’ Howlin’ Hootenanny, and Helen Henny’s All-day Breakfast Sleepover. The cookbook also includes games, jokes, and links to video dance parties and other activities.

The cookbook was released by Weldon Owen, a nonfiction book publisher specialising in richly illustrated lifestyle books. It retailed for $22.99 and was available to pre-order through Amazon, Target, Walmart, and the Chuck E. Shop.

The cookbook was not the only product released by Chuck E. Cheese in 2024. The company also launched a colouring and activity book, as well as frozen pizzas sold in grocery stores.

While the closure of the Maine location meant that children in the state could no longer enjoy the Chuck E. Cheese experience in person, the cookbook and other products allowed them to bring a slice of the entertainment brand into their homes.

The closest locations to Maine are in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

There is currently no Chuck E. Cheese in Maine. The state's only location, in South Portland, closed in December 2024. The company that owns the children's entertainment center and pizza parlor, CEC Entertainment Inc., was unable to negotiate a new lease agreement for the Philbrook Avenue location. However, CEC Entertainment Inc. has stated that it will look for new locations in Maine. In the meantime, the closest locations to Maine are in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. There are two units in each of these states.

The New Hampshire locations are likely to be easily accessible for those in southern Maine, as the two states share a border. The drive from Portland, Maine to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for example, is approximately one hour. The specific locations of the New Hampshire Chuck E. Cheese restaurants are unknown, but they could be in Portsmouth, or further inland, in the state's largest city of Manchester.

For those in northern Maine, the Massachusetts locations may be more convenient. The drive from Bangor, Maine to Boston, Massachusetts is approximately three and a half hours. Again, the exact locations of the Massachusetts Chuck E. Cheese restaurants are not provided, but they could be in Boston, or in one of the many other cities in the state, such as Worcester or Springfield.

While the closure of the South Portland location may be disappointing for Maine residents, the company's commitment to finding new venues in the state is promising. In the meantime, the proximity of the New Hampshire and Massachusetts locations provides some consolation, with the potential for fun family outings just a short drive away.

Chuck E. Cheese's received poor reviews

Chuck E. Cheese's has received mixed reviews from customers, with some reporting positive experiences and others detailing negative encounters. While some patrons enjoyed the food, entertainment, and service, others were disappointed by long wait times, rude staff, and issues with billing and party packages.

One customer praised the Hempstead location for its cleanliness, modern renovations, and inclusion of sign language in kid videos. They also mentioned that the pizza was delicious and fresh. However, other reviews paint a different picture, with reports of overpriced and underwhelming food, long wait times, and rude staff.

In terms of safety, one review mentioned an incident where a child with autism was almost pulled away by a guard, while another review described an assault and battery case that occurred within the premises. Additionally, a customer mentioned finding plastic baked into their pizza, raising concerns about food safety.

Some customers were disappointed by the value offered by Chuck E. Cheese's. One review mentioned that the pizza slices were tiny, while another stated that the games were too expensive for the amount of time provided. Others felt that the experience did not live up to their expectations, with one review suggesting that the absence of captivating animatronics left the place feeling dull and unremarkable.

Overall, while some customers had enjoyable experiences, others were left disappointed by the food, service, safety, and value provided by Chuck E. Cheese's.

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