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When Carl Childs was growing up, arcades were a part of the culture to him.

When Childs, 38, opened an arcade in downtown Tomah, making a lot of money was not a top priority for him. Originally from Rochester, New York, and stationed at Fort McCoy with the United States Army, Childs opened the Tomah Arcade in November because he wanted to give children, and adults alike, a place to have fun and be social. So far, he is loving it.

“I am enjoying this,” Childs said. “This is something for the whole community.”

Childs, along with his wife, bought all of the video games that the arcade features out of their own pockets. They also set the game prices to 25 cents, and Childs said that he likes the fact someone can come to the arcade with only a dollar and enjoy themselves. He also sells soda and snacks, and has been known help out from time to time when someone may not have quite enough to buy a soda.

With the money that the arcade generates, Childs and his wife, through their organization called Via Friends, donate to local schools and charities, such as the Ronald McDonald House.

“We want to support local organizations,” Childs said. “We are trying to keep any money in the community.”

The arcade, located at 1016 Superior Ave., features a number of video games. A student could go to the arcade in the evening and play X-men, as well play multiple ticket-winning games and collect the prizes that go with them. For Childs, there is also more to the arcade than the games. The arcade features coloring contests, and is looking at holding music and art appreciation classes. Childs also tries to teach values to kids that come to the arcade, including recycling, washing hands, nutrition and sharing.

“We don’t necessarily want the kids to come in and spend $20 in the Gauntlet machine and leave,” Childs said. “I want to hear how school was going, and I like to see them using teamwork and playing together.”

But the arcade isn’t just for children. Childs said that he has seen families come to the arcade and have a fun time. He has also added more chairs with parents and grandparents in mind. Childs has seen people of all ages enjoying the arcade, and that is the result he had in mind when he opened the arcade.

“I’ve seen people in here playing the games from two years old to 56 and everywhere in between,” Childs said.

So far the feedback has all been positive, Childs said, and he is looking to add more to the arcade. He hopes to bring in a television and air hockey, and he is also hoping for the arcade to become more established. He also said that he is always looking for contributions and donations, and he knows that the arcade won’t make him rich. But for Childs, the experience is the reward.

“When you ask a lot of kids if they have been to an arcade, they will tell you, ‘Yeah, I have an X-box,’ and that is not the same,” Childs said. “It is much better to meet your friends and go out for the arcade experience.”